Call forwarding in the United Kingdom, network by network.

Every network, at a glance

EE

**61*NUMBER#

O2

**61*NUMBER#

Vodafone

**61*NUMBER#

Three

**61*NUMBER#

giffgaff

**61*NUMBER# (Runs on O2)

Tesco Mobile

**61*NUMBER# (Runs on O2)

BT landline

*61*NUMBER# (Landline)

What is different in the United Kingdom.

• Vodafone Pay as you go can only divert to voicemail. EE PAYG may be the same.
• EE, O2 and Three only divert to UK numbers, so use a UK number to forward to.
• On O2 and Three, switch off Wi-Fi Calling before dialling the codes.
• BT charges for the diverted part of each call at your normal rates.

Why forwarding fails, and the fix.

• Voicemail took the slot back. Voicemail uses the same “no answer” setting, and some phone updates restore it. Dial the check code; if it shows your voicemail number, dial the forwarding code again.
• Live Voicemail on iPhone, or Take a Message on Pixel, answers first. Turn it off in the Phone settings.
• Wi-Fi Calling is on. Some networks reject codes over Wi-Fi. Switch Wi-Fi Calling off, dial the code, then switch it back on.
• Prepay or pay as you go. Many prepay plans block forwarding or only allow voicemail. The network page above says which.
• The number is in the wrong format. Use the format your network asks for, with no spaces.
• Dual SIM. Codes apply to the SIM that dials them, so dial from your business SIM.
• The ring time is too short. Under 15 seconds you lose calls you were about to pick up. 20 seconds suits most people.

Test it in two minutes.

Ask someone to ring your number three times. Each call should reach the number you forwarded to:

• Let the first call ring out. That tests “no answer”.
• Press decline on the second. That tests “busy”.
• Turn on flight mode for the third. That tests “phone off”.

Forward them to a receptionist, not a voicemail box.

Most people forward missed calls to voicemail, and most callers hang up on it. Aroha gives you a number to forward to with a UK number. Its receptionist answers in your business’s name, books the job or takes the details, and texts you a summary. Your phone still rings first, and the cancel code switches it off any time.

Get a free number: Aroha answers up to 60 minutes of calls in your first 14 days, then about 10 calls a month for free. No card. The setup screen shows these codes with your number already filled in.

Questions

How do I divert calls on EE?

Call 150 and choose 1, 2, 4, 1, or use your phone’s call forwarding setting. The standard codes **61*NUMBER#, **67*NUMBER# and **62*NUMBER# also work for most EE customers. ##002# cancels all diverts.

Can I divert calls on pay as you go?

Vodafone says Pay as you go can only divert to voicemail, and EE customers report the same. On Pay monthly, diverts to another number work.

Does call forwarding cost extra?

On most plans the forwarded part of the call is billed like a normal call from your phone, which is free on plans with unlimited calls. Some networks charge per minute, mostly in Canada (Bell, Fido, Virgin Plus) and amaysim in Australia. Your network’s page says which.

Will callers know their call was forwarded?

No. They hear your phone ring, then whoever you forwarded to picks up. Their caller ID still shows to the person answering.