How to Forward Calls on Verizon

To forward every incoming call from a Verizon mobile line, use that Verizon phone to dial *72 followed by the 10-digit destination number, then tap Call. To forward only calls that are unanswered or arrive while the line is busy, dial *71 followed by the 10-digit destination number, then tap Call.

These instructions cover forwarding incoming calls, not transferring a call that is already in progress. If you searched for “how to forward a call Verizon” or “how to forward a call with Verizon,” choose between forwarding all calls and conditional forwarding before dialing.

What do you need before forwarding Verizon calls?

Have the Verizon mobile phone whose incoming calls you want to forward. Verizon says call forwarding cannot be managed without that phone, and activation may not work when the phone is outside Verizon mobile coverage or traveling internationally.

You will also need the complete 10-digit U.S. phone number that should receive the calls. The destination can be another mobile phone or a landline, but Verizon does not support forwarding mobile calls to an international number.

Before starting:

• Confirm that the Verizon phone can place a call on the Verizon network.
• Check the destination number, including its area code.
• Keep the destination phone nearby if possible so you can test the result.
• Make sure the person or organization receiving the calls expects them.

You normally do not need to sign in to the Verizon account when activating forwarding from the phone. Account access may be needed if the dialing command fails and you use Verizon’s online support or contact customer service.

How do you forward all incoming Verizon calls?

Full call forwarding sends every incoming call directly to the selected destination. While full forwarding is active, the Verizon mobile phone does not ring for those calls.

1. Open the Phone app on the Verizon mobile phone.
2. Open the keypad.
3. Enter *72 immediately followed by the 10-digit destination number.
4. Check the full entry carefully, then tap Call.
5. Listen for the confirmation tone or message and allow the call to end.
6. Call the Verizon number from another phone to confirm that the destination phone rings.

Do not add extra digits or symbols. Verizon warns that accidental keypad entries can create an invalid forwarding number and cause callers to hear a busy signal.

How do you forward Verizon calls only when unanswered?

Verizon supports conditional call forwarding on mobile lines. Conditional forwarding, also called No Answer/Busy Transfer, lets the Verizon phone ring first and forwards the call if nobody answers or if the line is busy.

1. On the Verizon mobile phone, open the Phone app and keypad.
2. Enter *71 immediately followed by the complete 10-digit destination number.
3. Tap Call.
4. Listen for the confirmation tone or message and wait for the call to end.
5. Test both an unanswered call and, if practical, a call received while the Verizon line is busy.

With conditional forwarding active, answering the Verizon phone normally keeps the call on that phone. Only the qualifying unanswered or busy calls go to the destination number.

How do you turn off Verizon call forwarding?

The same deactivation command turns off immediate and conditional forwarding on a Verizon mobile line.

1. Use the Verizon phone whose calls are being forwarded.
2. Open the Phone app and keypad.
3. Dial *73, then tap Call.
4. Listen for a series of beeps or a confirmation message.
5. Wait for the call to end automatically.
6. Call the Verizon number from another phone and confirm that the Verizon phone rings again.

If *73 does not complete, check that the phone has Verizon mobile coverage and try again. Verizon states that star-code dialing may be unavailable outside its wireless coverage area.

How can you check whether Verizon call forwarding is active?

The most reliable check is a real incoming call from a different phone. A successful activation message alone does not prove that the destination number was entered correctly.

1. Place the Verizon phone and destination phone where you can observe both.
2. Call the Verizon number from a third phone.
3. For full forwarding, confirm that the destination rings while the Verizon phone does not.
4. For conditional forwarding, let the Verizon phone ring without answering and confirm that the call eventually reaches the destination.
5. After dialing *73, repeat the test and confirm that the Verizon phone receives the call directly.

If the caller hears a busy signal, repeat activation and carefully re-enter the destination number. If calls still do not reach the Verizon phone after deactivation, review settings or services that can restrict incoming calls, such as Do Not Disturb, call blocking, Quiet Mode, or a family-management feature.

If conditional calls go to voicemail instead, confirm that you used *71 rather than *72 and test again. The timing of voicemail and other call-handling features can affect what happens to an unanswered call.

How do you get Verizon help with call forwarding?

Open the company’s official website and search Verizon Support for “Call Forwarding FAQs” or the guided instructions for turning call forwarding on or off from a device. Use Verizon’s official chat or customer-service options shown there if activation or deactivation still fails.

Tell support whether you used *72, *71, or *73; whether the phone was connected to Verizon’s mobile network; what confirmation you heard; and what happened during a test call. Do not post the forwarding number in a public support discussion.

Contact Verizon support when you no longer have the mobile phone, the star command repeatedly fails, callers always receive a busy signal, or calls continue forwarding after *73. Verizon indicates that customer service can help manage forwarding when the device is unavailable or the deactivation command does not work.