How to forward calls on Samsung Galaxy phones

The four types of call forwarding

• Always forward: every call goes to the other number. Your Samsung does not ring.
• Forward when busy: calls forward when you are on another call or decline it.
• Forward when unanswered: calls forward after a set number of rings or seconds.
• Forward when unreachable: calls forward when the phone is off, out of signal or in Airplane Mode.

The last three are called conditional forwarding. By default, your carrier points them at your voicemail. Setting your own number replaces voicemail for that case.

Menu paths by One UI version

• One UI 6 to 8: Phone › three dots › Settings › Supplementary services › Call forwarding.
• One UI 4 and 5: Phone › three dots › Settings › Supplementary services › Call forwarding, or More call settings on some carrier versions.
• Older Galaxy phones: Phone › More › Settings › More settings › Call forwarding.

Carrier-branded phones sometimes rename menus. If you cannot find it, open the Phone app settings and search for "forwarding".

Forward calls on Samsung with Verizon

Verizon does not support the Samsung menu on many plans, and you may see a network or SIM error. Use dial codes instead. Open the keypad and dial *72 followed by the 10-digit number, then tap Call. Wait for the confirmation and hang up. Dial *73 to stop. Use *71 plus the number for busy and unanswered calls only. You can also manage it in the My Verizon app.

Forward calls on Samsung with AT&T and T-Mobile

The Supplementary services menu works on both. If it shows an error, use GSM codes from the keypad:

• All calls: **21*number#, cancel with ##21#.
• Unanswered: **61*number#, cancel with ##61#.
• Busy: **67*number#, cancel with ##67#.
• Unreachable: **62*number#, cancel with ##62#.
• Cancel everything: ##002#.
• Check status: *#21#.

Mint, Metro, Cricket and other carriers on these networks use the same codes.

Dual SIM Galaxy phones

With two SIMs or a SIM and eSIM, each line has its own Call forwarding entry under Supplementary services. Set them separately. A useful setup is forwarding a work line to your personal line when you are away. If you dial codes, pick the line in the dialer first, since codes apply to the line that places the call. For eSIM setup on Galaxy phones, see adding an eSIM on Samsung.

Call forwarding errors on Samsung

• "Network or SIM card error": the carrier does not support the menu. Use codes.
• "Call forwarding settings error" with Wi-Fi Calling on: turn off Wi-Fi Calling and try again, then turn it back on. Some carriers only read forwarding over the cell network.
• Error with Airplane Mode: forwarding needs a signal to set up.
• Options grayed out: the line is not active, or the plan blocks forwarding. Ask the carrier.

Restart the phone after changing settings, and check for a carrier update in Settings › Software update.

How to check that forwarding works

Call your Samsung from another phone. With Always forward on, it should ring the forwarding number and not your phone. A forwarding icon may show in the status bar, and the Call forwarding screen lists the active number. On GSM carriers, dial *#21# to see the status on screen.

Change the number of rings before forwarding

On many carriers, you can set the delay for unanswered calls with a code: **61*number**seconds#, where seconds is 5 to 30 in steps of 5. For example, **61*5551234567**25# forwards after about 25 seconds. Not all carriers accept it, but it is safe to try.

Forward to Google Voice or a landline

You can forward to any US number. Google Voice lets calls ring your computer and other phones, and transcribes voicemail. Forwarding to a landline works for home offices. Avoid forwarding to a number that forwards back to you, since the calls loop and never ring.

Cost of forwarding

On unlimited US plans, forwarded calls are normally free. Prepaid and pay-per-minute plans may count minutes for both the incoming call and the forwarded leg. Forwarding to an international number is billed as an international call. Check your plan or ask your carrier before forwarding for a long trip.

Forwarding and your voicemail

With Always forward on, voicemail on your line gets nothing. If you set conditional forwarding to another number, missed calls go there instead of your mailbox. To get voicemail back, cancel the forwarding rules with ##002#, or set the unanswered rule back to your voicemail number. If voicemail is still not working, see Android voicemail fixes.

Forward calls from a lost or broken Samsung

Use your carrier's website or app on another device to set forwarding. Then lock or locate the phone with Samsung Find or Google Find My Device. Our guide to finding a lost Android phone walks through both.

Forward calls on a Samsung with Wi-Fi Calling

Forwarding still works when you are on Wi-Fi Calling, but some carriers only accept changes over the cell network. Set forwarding while you have a normal signal, then rely on Wi-Fi Calling as usual. If weak signal at home is why you want to forward, Wi-Fi Calling may solve the real problem without forwarding at all.

Forward calls for a few hours only

Neither Samsung nor US carriers offer a built-in timer for forwarding. Set a reminder in the Clock or Reminder app to turn it off. Samsung's Modes and Routines can run actions on a schedule, but forwarding is not one of them on most versions, so a reminder is the practical choice.

Does call forwarding forward texts?

No. Call forwarding only moves voice calls. Text messages still arrive on your Samsung. To see texts elsewhere, use Google Messages for web on a computer, or link your phone to Windows with Phone Link. To pass one message on, forward a text by hand.

Turn off call forwarding on Samsung, all at once

The fastest way is a single code: dial ##002# on AT&T, T-Mobile and similar carriers. It clears every forwarding rule and restores voicemail for missed calls. On Verizon, dial *73. Then call your phone from another number to confirm it rings again.

Forwarding a business line

If your Samsung is a work phone, your company may manage forwarding through a business phone system or Microsoft Teams. Phone settings may be locked. Ask IT before changing anything, since forwarding a work line to a personal phone can break the company's call records.

Summary

• Phone › Settings › Supplementary services › Call forwarding works on AT&T and T-Mobile.
• Verizon uses *72 and *73.
• ##002# clears everything on GSM carriers.
• Test with a call from another phone every time.

Why forward calls at all?

Common reasons include a broken or lost phone, travel with a second phone, a desk phone at work, a shared family line during a hospital stay, or poor signal at home. Forwarding happens on the carrier's network, so your Galaxy does not need to be on once the rule is set. That makes it useful when the phone is in for repair. If repair is the reason, our guide to Samsung screen repair prices can help you decide between fixing and replacing.

Forwarding is free to set up, takes seconds and is just as easy to undo, so it is worth trying whenever you need calls to reach you somewhere else.