How to forward business calls after hours
Codes for Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, how to forward only the calls you miss, and how to turn it off.
How do I forward my business calls after hours?
Dial your carrier’s forwarding code from the business phone, followed by the number you want calls to go to. Most carriers have two kinds: forward every call, or forward only the calls you don’t answer (also called conditional or no-answer forwarding). Conditional forwarding is usually the best fit for a small business: your phone still rings first, and anything you miss goes to your answering service instead of voicemail.
Which kind of forwarding should I use?
- Only when you don’t answer: good all day. You pick up when you can, and nothing goes to voicemail.
- Every call: good at night or on days off, when you don’t want the phone to ring at all. Turn it on when you close and off when you open.
Verizon (wireless)
- Forward only calls you don’t answer or when you’re busy: dial *71 + the 10-digit number (example: *71 555 555 1234). Listen for the beeps, then the call ends on its own.
- Forward every call: dial *72 + the 10-digit number.
- Turn forwarding off: dial *73.
Source: Verizon support (verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-181139 and knowledge-base-17268).
T-Mobile
- Forward calls you don’t answer: dial **61*1 + the 10-digit number + #. Turn off: ##61#.
- Forward when busy: **67*1 + number + #. Turn off: ##67#.
- Forward when your phone is off or has no signal: **62*1 + number + #. Turn off: ##62#.
- Forward every call: **21*1 + number + #. Turn off: ##21#.
- Reset all forwarding: ##004#.
- Tip: you can set how long it rings before forwarding (5 to 30 seconds) with 61*1 + number + + seconds + #.
Source: T-Mobile “Self-service & short codes” support page.
AT&T (wireless)
- Forward every call: dial **21* + the 10-digit number + #. Wait for the confirmation tone (about 3 seconds). Turn off: #21#.
- AT&T only lets you change forwarding from the phone itself, not online.
- For “only when I don’t answer” forwarding, AT&T’s public help pages don’t list a code, so check your phone’s call forwarding settings or ask AT&T support for the no-answer option on your line.
Source: AT&T device support article 147564 and wireless article KM1011513.
Business phone systems and VoIP
Most business phone systems have a “call forwarding” or “no answer” rule in the admin portal or app. Look for forward on no answer, forward when busy, and an after-hours schedule. Many desk-phone systems also use star codes (for example *72 to forward always and *73 to cancel), but codes vary by provider, so check yours.
Always test it
Call your business number from another phone. Let it ring. If it forwards, you’re set. Then test turning it off.
What happens to the call after it forwards?
If you forward to an AI receptionist like The Color of AI, the call is answered right away, day or night. It collects the caller’s name, callback number, what they need and the service address, then sends you a summary by email (and text, if you turn texts on). Your customers keep calling the number they already know. Setup is fully online, and you can coach any line it says, the way you’d coach a new employee.
Related: How it works · Pricing · AI answering for plumbers · FAQ
Carrier codes checked against carrier support pages on October 23, 2026. Carriers can change them, so confirm with yours.