What is call forwarding? Learn how it works and the activation/ deactivation process

Many telecom providers have upgraded to Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) services to provide better and uninterrupted calling to customers. However, re are times when telecom service providers are faced with network out or congestion due to ever-growing number of users that are active at same time. To overcome issue, many users generally tend to rely on call forwarding to never miss out on ir important calls.

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So what is call forwarding?

Call forwarding or call diversion is an interesting feature which allows users to redirect ir phone calls to ar phone number. When someone activates call forwarding on ir phone, it means that y want ir incoming calls on that particular phone number to be redirected to ar phone number of ir choice.

It is especially useful in instances of network problems and can be also used for a lot of or reasons. Let us take a look at different types of services available within call forwarding and various instances when you can use m.

How call forwarding works and different types of call forwarding

Always forward

When you need to be away from your work or family and do t want to miss out on important phone calls, you can activate this feature on your handset to forward all of your incoming calls to a number of your choice.

Call forward when busy

This service is helpful when you are waiting for an important call, but you still need to use your phone. It allows you to send your incoming calls to an alternate phone number as you are still using your line. What this means is activating this service will only forward incoming calls to designated number when you are busy talking on your phone.

Call forward when unanswered

When you are busy in a meeting or simply unable to answer your phone for any reasons, you may need to redirect that incoming call to ar phone number. Only calls that you fail to answer will be forwarded.

Call forwarding when unreachable

This is one of best parts about call forwarding as it also allows users to never miss any phone calls, even in cases of a network out. If you activate this feature on your device, all your phone calls will be forwarded if you end up in an out of cover zone or when your phone is switched off.

Also Read | How To Deactivate Call Forwarding In Airtel? Alternative Steps And How You Can Reactivate

Does  caller kw that  call is being forwarded?

Since caller is connected directly to forwarding destination when y call number, y may tice that ir call is being forwarded. However, this is also dependant on telecom providers as y may play a mess to caller tifying that ir call is being forwarded to ar number.

In certain cases, service providers may also play a piece of music while  call is being set up. re could also be a change in  ring signal or a slight delay before ringing as call forwarding process may generally take a few additional seconds.

How to activate call forwarding in India (same for all telecom carriers)

To forward or divert a call, you will need a handset that comes with a call forwarding function. Activating call forwarding service can be done directly through your phone’s settings section. te that this is standard process to follow regardless of your telecom carrier.

• Go to 'Settings' > 'Call' > 'Advanced settings' > 'Call forwarding'.

You simply head to your phone 'Settings' and navigate to 'Call'. w go to 'Advanced settings' and select 'Call forwarding'. Most handsets come with this feature and allow you to activate call forwarding by following above steps.

Once you enter ‘Call forwarding’, you will be able to see se four options, as explained above:

1. Always forward 
2. Call forward when busy 
3. Call forward when unanswered, and
4. Call forwarding when unreachable.

Select your preferred option and provide phone number where you need to forward your incoming calls. Once you enter phone number, call forwarding feature automatically gets activated. However, in case you observe that your phone lacks this functionality or if you are unable to navigate, we have ar easy process.

Also Read | How To Activate Call Forwarding In Jio? A Complete Guide With Alternative Ways

An alternative way to activate call forwarding through call forwarding code

For users facing problems navigating through above steps or unable to locate function, ir best option would be to use ar method that works through call forwarding code. You will need to dial a call forwarding code from your device and type 10 digit phone number where you wish to forward calls. Following are different options available for activating call forwarding:

Call forwarding code for major telecom providers like Vodafone, Airtel, and Idea!

1. Call forwarding code for 'Always Forward':

**21*<10 digit number>

2. Call forwarding code for ‘Unanswered':

**61*<10 digit number>

3. Call forwarding code for 'Busy':

**67*<10 digit number>

4. Call forwarding code for 't Reachable':

**62*<10 digit number>

How to deactivate call forwarding (Vodafone, Airtel, and Idea!)

• To deactivate call forwarding when you phone is unanswered: ##61#
• To deactivate call forwarding when your phone is t reachable: ##62#
• To deactivate call forwarding when busy: ##67#
• To deactivate all types of calls: ##21#

*te that you need to dial respective code as it is from mobile number you wish to opt-out of and hit call button. Alternatively, if you activated call forwarding through your phone settings, you can follow same steps and clear mobile number you have updated.

For Reliance Jio users looking to activate or deactivate call forwarding service on ir device, y can follow our detailed guide here.

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Im credits: Unsplash | Fezbot2000