Aroha AI

How to forward missed calls on Spark, One NZ and 2degrees

The dial codes to send only the calls you miss to another number, how to set the ring time, how to check and cancel it, and the mistakes that stop it working.

If you run a business from your mobile, the most useful phone setting you have probably never touched is conditional call forwarding. Your phone still rings as normal. Only the calls you do not answer, the ones you decline because you are busy, and the ones that arrive while your phone is off or out of coverage go somewhere else: a colleague, a receptionist or an answering service.

This guide covers the three main New Zealand networks. The codes are typed into your phone's dialler exactly like a phone number, then you press call.

Forward the calls you miss, not every call

There are two kinds of forwarding. "Divert all calls" sends every call away and your phone never rings. That is right for a holiday, but wrong for a normal working day, because you lose the calls you could have taken yourself.

"Conditional" forwarding is the one you want. It has three parts:

  • No answer: the phone rings for a set time, then the call moves on.
  • Busy: you are already on a call, or you press decline.
  • Unreachable: your phone is off, flat or out of coverage.

Setting all three means a caller never ends up in voicemail when there is a better option.

Spark

Spark lists these codes for mobiles. Replace NUMBER with the full number you are forwarding to.

  • No answer: *61*NUMBER*11#
  • Busy: *67*NUMBER*11#
  • Phone off or unreachable: *62*NUMBER*11#

To change how long your phone rings before the call moves on, add the seconds before the final hash, in steps of five up to 25. For example *61*NUMBER*11*20# rings for 20 seconds. Spark notes that changing the ring time does not work on iPhones.

To check a setting, dial *#61*11# (or 67, or 62). To cancel no-answer forwarding, dial #61**11#.

One NZ

One NZ uses the standard codes with a double star:

  • No answer: **61*NUMBER#
  • Unreachable: **62*NUMBER#
  • Busy: **67*NUMBER#

To cancel, dial ##61#, ##62# or ##67#. One NZ's default is to move an unanswered call on after about 20 seconds.

2degrees

2degrees phones accept the same standard codes:

  • No answer: **61*NUMBER*11*20# (the 20 is the ring time in seconds)
  • Unreachable: **62*NUMBER#
  • Busy: **67*NUMBER#

To check a setting, dial *#61#. To cancel, dial ##61#. If a code is rejected, 2degrees support can confirm the current format for your plan.

Skinny and Warehouse Mobile

Skinny runs on Spark's network, so start with the Spark codes. Warehouse Mobile runs on 2degrees' network, so start with the 2degrees codes. If a code fails, try the standard form without the *11 part.

Landlines and VoIP numbers

Business landlines and VoIP phones handle forwarding in the provider's own portal or app rather than with dial codes. Look for a setting called call diversion, divert on no answer, or call forwarding on busy.

Things that stop forwarding working

  • Voicemail gets there first. Voicemail is itself a no-answer divert. Setting a new no-answer code replaces it, but some phones re-enable voicemail after an update, so check with *#61# now and then.
  • The number is typed without the area or mobile prefix. Always use the full number, including the 0 or +64.
  • The ring time is too short. Under 15 seconds, you will lose calls you were about to pick up. 20 seconds suits most people.
  • Dual SIM phones. Codes apply to the SIM that places the call, so dial them from your business SIM.

Test it before you rely on it

Ask someone to ring you and let it ring out. Then ring again and press decline. Then turn on flight mode and ring a third time. Each call should reach the number you forwarded to. It takes two minutes and saves finding out from an unhappy customer.

Where Aroha fits

Aroha gives you a number to forward to, and its receptionist answers the calls you miss in your business's name, books the work and texts you the details. The setup screen shows the exact codes for your network and phone. You can switch it off any time by dialling the cancel code.

Sources: Spark mobile call diversion help, One NZ call divert user guide, 2degrees published dial codes.