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How To Forward iPhone Calls With Verizon: A Comprehensive Guide

The modern world demands flexibility, and call forwarding is a critical tool for staying connected, regardless of your location or device. For Verizon iPhone users, setting up call forwarding is a relatively straightforward process, albeit one with nuances that can trip up even the most tech-savvy individuals. Here’s the lowdown:

How to forward iPhone calls with Verizon? There are two primary methods: through your iPhone settings and using Verizon’s star codes directly from your phone’s dialer. The iPhone settings method allows for unconditional call forwarding, meaning all incoming calls are immediately forwarded to your specified number. The star code method offers more granular control, potentially enabling busy call forwarding or no answer call forwarding, depending on your Verizon plan and location. We will detail both methods below.

The iPhone Settings Method: Unconditional Call Forwarding

This is the easiest and most common approach, and it diverts all incoming calls immediately.

Steps to Enable Call Forwarding via iPhone Settings

Open the Settings App: Locate and tap the Settings icon on your iPhone’s home screen. It usually resembles a set of gears.
Navigate to Phone: Scroll down and tap on “Phone.” This section controls all your phone-related settings.
Select Call Forwarding: In the Phone menu, you’ll find “Call Forwarding.” Tap on it.
Toggle the Call Forwarding Switch: The Call Forwarding screen will have a toggle switch. Slide it to the ON position (it should turn green).
Enter the Forwarding Number: A field will appear labeled “Forward To.” Tap on this field and enter the ten-digit phone number (including the area code) where you want your calls to be forwarded.
Verify Activation: Once you’ve entered the number, go back to the previous screen (the Call Forwarding screen). You should see the “Forward To” field populated with the number you entered. This confirms that call forwarding is active.

Disabling Call Forwarding via iPhone Settings

Follow the same steps as above, but in step 4, slide the Call Forwarding toggle switch to the OFF position. The “Forward To” field will disappear, indicating that call forwarding is deactivated.

The Verizon Star Codes Method: Conditional Call Forwarding

This method uses special codes entered directly into your phone’s dialer. This allows for more complex configurations, such as forwarding calls only when your phone is busy or when you don’t answer. Availability of these features depends heavily on your specific Verizon plan and geographic location.

Understanding Verizon Star Codes

Verizon uses a series of star codes (*XX) to activate and deactivate various call forwarding features. Here are some common codes, but it’s essential to verify the accuracy and availability with Verizon customer support:

*72: Activate Unconditional Call Forwarding. (Identical to the iPhone settings method).
*73: Deactivate Unconditional Call Forwarding. (Deactivates *72).
*71: Activate Call Forwarding No Answer. (Forwards calls if you don’t answer after a certain number of rings).
*73: Deactivate Call Forwarding No Answer. (Deactivates *71).
*90: Activate Call Forwarding Busy. (Forwards calls when you are already on another call).
*91: Deactivate Call Forwarding Busy. (Deactivates *90).

Steps to Use Verizon Star Codes

Open the Phone App: Launch the Phone app on your iPhone.
Enter the Star Code: Dial the appropriate star code followed by the ten-digit phone number you want to forward calls to. For example, to activate unconditional call forwarding to 555-123-4567, you would dial *725551234567.
Press the Call Button: Press the call button as if you were making a regular phone call.
Listen for Confirmation: You should hear a confirmation message or tone indicating that call forwarding has been successfully activated. If you don’t hear a confirmation, repeat the process.

Deactivating Call Forwarding Using Star Codes

Dial the appropriate deactivation code for the forwarding option you activated. For example, to deactivate unconditional call forwarding that you activated with *72, dial *73 and press the call button. Listen for confirmation.

Important Considerations

Verizon Plan Compatibility: Not all Verizon plans support all call forwarding features. Check your plan details or contact Verizon customer support to confirm compatibility.
Geographic Location: Availability of certain call forwarding features may vary depending on your geographic location.
Fees and Charges: Some call forwarding features may incur additional fees. Verify any potential charges with Verizon before activating them.
Visual Voicemail: When call forwarding is active, your visual voicemail on your iPhone may not function as expected. Test it after activating call forwarding to understand how voicemail is handled. Calls may go to the voicemail of the forwarded-to phone number.
International Call Forwarding: Forwarding calls to an international number may not be possible or may incur significant charges. Check with Verizon before attempting to forward calls to an international destination.
Test After Activation: Always test call forwarding after activating it to ensure it is working as expected. Have someone call your iPhone to confirm that the call is being forwarded correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify the call forwarding process on iPhones with Verizon:

1. Can I forward calls to multiple numbers simultaneously?

No, you can only forward calls to one number at a time. If you need to forward calls to multiple destinations, you might consider using a third-party call routing service.

2. Will my iPhone still ring when call forwarding is enabled?

If you are using unconditional call forwarding (*72 or through iPhone Settings), your iPhone will not ring at all. The call will be immediately forwarded to the designated number. If you are using call forwarding no answer or call forwarding busy, your phone will ring based on those conditions.

3. How can I tell if call forwarding is currently active?

When call forwarding is active via iPhone settings, the Call Forwarding switch in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding will be toggled to the ON position (green), and the “Forward To” field will display the forwarding number. With Star Codes, the easiest way is to call your number from another phone and see where it rings.

4. Does call forwarding affect my data usage?

No, call forwarding does not affect your data usage. It only redirects voice calls.

5. Can I forward calls to a landline phone?

Yes, you can forward calls to any phone number, including landlines and other mobile phones.

6. Is there a limit to how long I can forward calls?

There is no inherent time limit for call forwarding. It will remain active until you manually deactivate it.

7. What happens if the number I’m forwarding to is busy or unavailable?

This depends on your Verizon plan and the settings of the phone you are forwarding to. The call might go to the voicemail of the forwarded-to number, or the caller might receive a busy signal.

8. Can I forward calls only from specific numbers?

No, Verizon’s call forwarding service doesn’t offer selective forwarding based on the caller ID. You’d need a third-party app or service for that level of control.

9. Will call forwarding work if my iPhone is turned off?

Yes, unconditional call forwarding will still work even if your iPhone is turned off because the forwarding is handled at the network level by Verizon. However, for call forwarding no answer to work, your phone needs to be on to receive and then not answer the call.

10. Is there a cost associated with using call forwarding?

While Verizon doesn’t typically charge extra for the feature itself, the minutes used for the forwarded calls will be deducted from your plan, just as if you had answered the call on your iPhone. It’s crucial to verify potential charges with Verizon before activating. International forwarding can be expensive.

11. What do I do if call forwarding isn’t working properly?

First, double-check that you’ve entered the forwarding number correctly and that call forwarding is activated. If the problem persists, contact Verizon customer support for assistance. They can diagnose any network-related issues and ensure that call forwarding is properly provisioned on your account. Also, ensure your phone’s software is up-to-date.

12. How does call forwarding interact with Do Not Disturb mode?

If you have Do Not Disturb enabled and also have unconditional call forwarding enabled, the call will be forwarded directly to the specified number without ever ringing on your iPhone, even if it would have been silenced by Do Not Disturb. However, if you are using call forwarding no answer, Do Not Disturb may prevent the call from ringing long enough to trigger the forwarding. It’s best to test this configuration to ensure it behaves as expected.