Have you ever needed to temporarily forward calls from your Android phone to a different number? As your knowledgeable friend, I‘ve put together this simple, step-by-step guide to help you out.
Whether you want to avoid disruptions on vacation, manage incoming calls on a busy work day, or ensure important customer calls get answered at your small business, call forwarding is an useful feature built into most Android phones.
In this comprehensive walkthrough, I‘ll explain exactly how to forward calls on any Android device and address some common questions around when and why call forwarding can be helpful. Let‘s get started!
Overview: What is Call Forwarding and Why Use It?
Call forwarding allows you to automatically redirect your incoming phone calls to an alternate number that you specify. Instead of ringing on your phone, forwarded calls get routed to whichever device or phone number you set up in advance.
There are a few key reasons why judiciously using call forwarding can benefit you:
- Avoid unwanted calls from distracting you without shutting off your phone
- Stay connected with business calls or contacts even when traveling or phone is unreachable
- Reduce hassles managing a busy professional schedule
- Improve productivity for small businesses by never missing important customer calls
Android‘s call forwarding system is highly customizable to meet your specific needs. And the best part is activating call forwarding is quick and easy once you know the steps.
Next, we‘ll go through how to access the call forwarding menu on any Android phone.
Accessing Call Forwarding Settings on Your Android
The call forwarding menu is readily available in your phone’s settings across Android devices. But getting to it requires slightly different navigation depending on your:
- Android OS version – Android 9 vs Android 12
- Manufacturer skin – Stock Android vs MIUI vs ColorOS
This table summarizes the general navigation path:
| Section | Path |
|---|---|
| Android 9-11 | Settings > Network & Internet > SIM cards > Conditional call forwarding |
| Android 12 | Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Conditional call forwarding |
| Samsung | Settings > Connections > Call forwarding |
| Xiaomi, Redmi | Settings > Additional settings > Call Settings |
| Oppo, Realme | Settings > Mobile Manager > Call forwarding rules |
As you can see, Android 12 streamlined the process by putting call forwarding directly under SIM settings.
Whereas many third-party skins have customized call menus, but still let you access call forwarding easily.
Now let‘s walk through the step-by-step process to turn on call forwarding on your Android.
How to Forward Calls from Any Android Phone
Once you access the call forwarding menu, the overall method is similar across all Android variations:
Step 1: Choose When to Forward Calls
You‘ll first select when you want calls to be forwarded from the available options:
- Always forward – Redirect all incoming calls
- Forward when busy – Only when you‘re already on a phone call
- Forward when unanswered – If call is not answered after 5-10 seconds
- Forward when unreachable – If device is out of coverage area
"Always forward" is best for a temporary vacation while "Forward when busy" helps better manage incoming calls during busy working hours. Pick what suits your needs.
| Option | When it forwards calls | Use cases |
|---|---|---|
| Always forward | All calls | Vacation, avoiding nuisance calls |
| Forward when busy | On another call | Managing busy workload |
| Forward when unanswered | Call rings for 5-10 sec | Juggling multiple phone lines |
| Forward when unreachable | Device is unreachable | Traveling internationally |
Select your preferred option before proceeding.
Step 2: Input Number to Forward Calls To
Next, you‘ll be prompted to enter the phone number you want to forward calls to. This could be:
- A mobile or landline phone that you or someone else uses
- Hotel room number
- Office landline number
- Voicemail number
Verify you‘ve correctly input the full phone number you want calls forwarded to.
Step 3: Enable/Disable Call Forwarding
Finally, toggle the switch for your selected forwarding type to ON position. A status message will confirm call forwarding has been activated.
To disable, simply return to this menu and flip the switch OFF at any time.
And that‘s all it takes! As you can see, Android makes it straightforward to forward calls with just a few taps. Let‘s cover some additional nuances across versions.
Pro Tip: Some Android skins allow simultaneously forwarding to multiple numbers for even better call coverage. Try inputting a few numbers comma-separated if the field permits.
Note: On certain carrier firmwares, you may need to enter call forwarding info and then select Enable/Disable on a separate menu. But the overall method remains the same.
Now that you know how to easily forward calls on your Android, let‘s go over some popular use cases.
When Could Call Forwarding Be Useful for You?
Thanks to Android‘s flexibility, you can creatively utilize call forwarding to simplify daily life scenarios:
Avoid Unwanted Calls During Busy Days
We all get spam or unimportant calls at inconvenient times in the day. The Forward when busy option lets you route calls to voicemail anytime you want to avoid distractions:
- In a long client meeting
- Finishing an urgent office presentation
- During your daily workflow focus time
Set this to only forward calls when your schedule doesn‘t permit interruptions.
Juggle Two Phone Lines Like a Pro
Entrepreneurs or consultants often juggle separate personal and work mobile numbers. Call forwarding lets you seamlessly integrate both:
- Use "Forward when unanswered" to send any missed work calls to your personal device
- Forward personal calls to your office landline when you‘re out meeting clients
You‘ll never miss an urgent call again while managing two lines!
Stay Connected Internationally Without Roaming Fees
Traveling overseas for vacation while keeping your domestic SIM active? "Forward all calls" to your hotel‘s local phone number before you leave.
You‘ll dodge exorbitant roaming charges while enjoying complete call access abroad!
Small Business Owners – Never Lose a Customer Call
Nothing hurts more than losing an eager potential customer‘s call due to being tied up or away from your desk.
Activate "Forward when busy + Forward when unanswered" to simultaneously ring multiple staff members‘ mobile devices when calls come in for your business.
Now no lead ever goes to voicemail!
As you can see, intelligently utilizing call forwarding solves so many daily scenarios. Let‘s cover some common questions next.
FAQs and Additional Tips
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions people have around call forwarding on Android:
Can I continue to make outgoing calls with call forwarding enabled?
- Yes! Call forwarding only affects incoming calls. You can continue to make outgoing calls as normal.
Is call forwarding free to use?
- Most carriers do charge minimal fees per minute. Confirm rates with your mobile network operator.
Can I temporarily disable call forwarding when needed?
- You can toggle the switch to DISABLE at any time without losing your forwarded number. Just enable it again when required.
What happens when a call forwarded number is busy/unreachable?
- The call attempts the next forward number you‘ve set up. If none pick up, only then does it route back to your voicemail.
Can all Androids forward calls to multiple numbers?
- Most can. Try inputting 2-3 numbers comma-separated and check if accepted. Extremely useful for businesses.
And that covers the key questions around how Android call forwarding works.
As a bonus, here are my top 3 expert tips for you:
Tip 1: Set a PIN/password to prevent others from accessing your call forwarding settings without your permission.
Tip 2: Bookmark the call forwarding page on your Android to quickly get to it anytime.
Tip 3: Include your phone‘s voicemail as the last forwarded number for back up call coverage.
You‘re now fully equipped to start forwarding calls on your Android device like a professional. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
