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How to Forward Phone Calls on Verizon: A Complete Guide

Forwarding your Verizon calls is a simple yet powerful tool, allowing you to stay connected no matter where you are. Whether you’re diverting calls to a business line, a family member, or even a VoIP service, understanding the ins and outs of Verizon’s call forwarding options is crucial. This article will guide you through the process, ensuring you never miss an important call again.

How to Forward Phone Calls on Verizon: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are several ways to forward your Verizon phone calls, depending on the type of phone you have (landline or mobile) and your specific needs. Here’s a breakdown of the most common methods:

1. Call Forwarding *72 (Unconditional Call Forwarding):

This is the simplest and most common method for unconditionally forwarding all your calls. It’s available on both landlines and mobile phones (though mobile usage might incur charges depending on your plan).

Activate: Dial *72 followed by the 10-digit phone number you want to forward your calls to. For example, dial *72-555-123-4567.
Wait for Confirmation: Listen for a confirmation tone or announcement indicating that call forwarding has been activated. Some systems require you to stay on the line for a short period to complete the process.
Deactivate: To turn off call forwarding, dial *73. Again, listen for a confirmation tone or announcement.

2. Call Forwarding on Busy *90 (Call Forwarding Busy):

This option forwards calls only when your line is busy. It’s useful if you want to ensure that callers always reach someone, even if you’re already on the phone.

Activate: Dial *90 followed by the 10-digit phone number you want to forward your calls to when your line is busy. For instance, dial *90-555-987-6543.
Wait for Confirmation: Listen for the confirmation tone or announcement.
Deactivate: To deactivate, dial *91. Listen for the confirmation tone.

3. Call Forwarding No Answer *92 (Call Forwarding No Answer):

This allows you to forward calls if you don’t answer within a certain number of rings. It’s ideal for those times when you’re unable to get to the phone in time.

Activate: Dial *92 followed by the 10-digit phone number you want to forward calls to if you don’t answer. For example, dial *92-555-111-2222.
Wait for Confirmation: Listen for confirmation.
Deactivate: Dial *93 to deactivate. Listen for confirmation.

4. Verizon Mobile App (For Mobile Phones):

The Verizon mobile app provides a more visual and user-friendly way to manage call forwarding settings, though specific options may vary depending on your device and plan.

Open the App: Launch the My Verizon app on your smartphone.
Navigate to Settings: Look for the “Call Forwarding” option, typically found within the “Account” or “Features” section of the app. The exact location can vary depending on the app version.
Select Forwarding Type: Choose the type of call forwarding you want to enable (e.g., unconditional, busy, or no answer).
Enter Forwarding Number: Enter the 10-digit phone number where you want to forward your calls.
Save Changes: Confirm your settings and save the changes.

5. My Verizon Website (For Mobile and Landlines):

You can also manage call forwarding through the My Verizon website. This offers similar functionality to the mobile app.

Log In: Go to the My Verizon website and log in to your account.
Navigate to Features: Find the “Call Forwarding” option, usually within the “Manage Features” or “Phone” section.
Choose Forwarding Type: Select the desired type of call forwarding.
Enter Number: Enter the forwarding number.
Save: Save your changes.

Important Considerations:

Cost: Check your Verizon plan for any charges associated with call forwarding. Some plans include it for free, while others may charge per minute or per call.
Confirmation: Always listen for the confirmation tone or announcement to ensure that call forwarding has been successfully activated or deactivated.
International Forwarding: Forwarding calls to international numbers may incur significantly higher charges. Always verify the costs before setting up international call forwarding.
Conditional Forwarding Requires Basic Forwarding Feature Activation: Ensure that you have activated the basic call forwarding feature via one of the methods before attempting to activate conditional call forwarding options.
Troubleshooting: If your call forwarding doesn’t seem to be working, try deactivating it and then reactivating it. If the issue persists, contact Verizon customer support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Verizon Call Forwarding

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

H3: 1. Does Verizon charge for call forwarding?

The cost of call forwarding on Verizon depends on your specific plan. Some plans include call forwarding as a standard feature, while others charge a fee per minute or per call forwarded. It’s crucial to review your plan details on the My Verizon website or app, or to contact Verizon customer service directly to confirm the pricing for your account. Don’t assume it’s free; always verify.

H3: 2. How do I know if call forwarding is enabled on my Verizon line?

The easiest way to check is to dial *73 (the deactivation code for unconditional call forwarding). If you hear a confirmation tone or announcement that call forwarding has been deactivated, it means it was previously enabled. You can also check your settings through the My Verizon app or website.

H3: 3. Can I forward my Verizon calls to an international number?

Yes, you can forward your Verizon calls to an international number. However, be aware that international call forwarding rates can be significantly higher than domestic rates. Check the specific international forwarding rates on the My Verizon website or by contacting Verizon customer service before enabling this feature.

H3: 4. What’s the difference between 72, 90, and *92 call forwarding codes?

*72 is for unconditional call forwarding: all calls are immediately forwarded to the designated number.
*90 is for call forwarding busy: calls are forwarded only when your line is busy.
*92 is for call forwarding no answer: calls are forwarded if you don’t answer after a certain number of rings.

H3: 5. Can I forward calls from my Verizon landline to my Verizon mobile phone?

Yes, you can forward calls from your Verizon landline to your Verizon mobile phone, or vice-versa. Simply use the appropriate call forwarding code (*72, *90, or *92) followed by your Verizon mobile phone number.

H3: 6. I deactivated call forwarding, but it’s still forwarding calls. What should I do?

First, ensure you dialed the correct deactivation code (*73, *91, or *93) depending on the type of forwarding activated). Wait a few minutes and try again. If the issue persists, contact Verizon customer service for assistance. They may need to reset your call forwarding settings from their end.

H3: 7. Can I use call forwarding to forward calls to a VoIP service like Google Voice or Skype?

Yes, you can forward your Verizon calls to a VoIP service, as long as the VoIP service provides a 10-digit phone number. Use the appropriate call forwarding code followed by the VoIP service’s phone number.

H3: 8. Does call forwarding work when my Verizon phone is turned off?

With unconditional call forwarding (*72), the calls will still be forwarded even if your phone is turned off because the calls are diverted at the Verizon network level before reaching your phone. However, *90 and *92 rely on your phone’s status, so call forwarding won’t occur if the phone is off in those cases.

H3: 9. How do I temporarily disable call forwarding without completely removing the number?

The easiest way is to deactivate call forwarding using the appropriate deactivation code (*73, *91, or *93). When you want to re-enable it, simply reactivate it using the corresponding activation code. The forwarding number will be saved from your previous activation.

H3: 10. Can I forward text messages along with calls?

No, standard call forwarding only forwards voice calls. Text messages are not forwarded along with the calls. You might need to explore separate text message forwarding apps or services if you need that functionality. These apps generally work through third-party accounts and aren’t directly related to Verizon’s call forwarding service.

H3: 11. Is there a limit to how many times I can forward a call?

Technically, there isn’t a hard-coded limit imposed by Verizon on how many times a call can be forwarded (e.g., from A to B, then B to C). However, excessive forwarding can create loops and potentially disrupt call routing. It’s generally best to avoid chaining forwarding more than a couple of times.

H3: 12. Why does call forwarding sometimes cause caller ID to show the forwarding number instead of the original caller?

This depends on the type of call forwarding and the settings on the receiving phone. In some cases, the caller ID might display the number that forwarded the call. To ensure you see the original caller ID, consider using call forwarding options within your phone’s settings (if available) or contacting Verizon support to explore options for preserving caller ID information.

By understanding these methods and FAQs, you can effectively manage your Verizon call forwarding to stay connected on your terms. Remember to always verify costs and confirm activation to avoid any surprises. Happy forwarding!