Keep your number
You don't need a new number.
Your phone rings like it always does. You dial one short code, and only the calls you don't answer go to your receptionist. Dial another code and it's switched off.
- Get your receptionist's numberWhen your receptionist is set up, I send you the number it answers on. That's the number you divert to.
- Dial the code on your business mobileType it into the keypad like a phone number and press call. You'll see a message saying the divert is on.
- Test itRing your business number from another phone and let it ring. Your receptionist should pick up.
The codes
Divert only the calls you don't answer
These are the standard codes most UK mobiles use. Swap number for your receptionist's number.
| What it does | Dial |
|---|---|
| Turn on: when you don't answer | **61*number# |
| Turn on: when you're already on a call | **67*number# |
| Turn on: when your phone's off or has no signal | **62*number# |
| Check it's on | *#61# |
| Switch off "don't answer" only | ##61# |
| Switch off every divert | ##002# |
Most people only need the first one. Add the other two if you want busy and switched-off calls answered as well.
Network by network
Vodafone checked with Vodafone
The codes above all work. Vodafone asks you to write the number with +44 instead of the first 0, so 07700 900123 becomes +447700900123.
It rings for about 15 seconds before diverting. To change that, add the seconds on the end: **61*number*10*20# rings for 20 seconds.
On Vodafone Pay as you go, you can only divert to voicemail, so this won't work. You'd need a pay monthly plan.
O2
O2's own help pages use the same **61*, **67* and **62* codes. To set how long it rings, put the seconds on the end, in steps of 5: **61*number*20#
To switch it off, ##61# or ##002#.
EE
EE says diverts are set on your phone, not by customer services. You can ring 150 and press 1, 2, 4, 1 to set a divert, or 1, 2, 4, 2 to cancel.
The standard codes above are reported to work on EE too.
Three
Try the standard codes above. If they don't take, set it in your phone's call forwarding settings instead (see below).
Three customers report that codes can fail with Wi-Fi calling on. Turn Wi-Fi off while you dial the code, then turn it back on.
giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and others
Try the standard codes above first. If you get an error, tell me your network and I'll find the right steps with you.
Good to know
Does a diverted call cost me anything?
Usually it counts as a call from your mobile to your receptionist's number, so it comes out of your plan's UK minutes. EE says this in its own help pages. If your plan has unlimited UK minutes, you shouldn't see a charge, but check your plan if you're not sure. Diverts while you're abroad can cost more.
I've got an iPhone. Can't I just use Settings?
The Call Forwarding switch in an iPhone's Settings sends every call away, so your phone would never ring. Use the **61* code instead, so it only takes the calls you miss.
I've got an Android phone
The codes work on Android too. You can also open the Phone app, go to Settings, then Calls or Supplementary services, then Call forwarding, and set When unanswered to your receptionist's number. The menu names change from phone to phone.
What happens to my voicemail?
Unanswered calls go to your receptionist instead of voicemail. If you switch the divert off with ##61#, your network should put your voicemail back. If it doesn't, your network's voicemail settings will turn it on again.
Can I switch it off for the evening?
Yes. Dial ##61# to switch it off, and the **61* code again to switch it back on. Or leave it on, and your receptionist takes your out-of-hours calls too.
My business number is a landline
Landlines can divert too, but the steps depend on your provider. Tell me who it's with and I'll send you the steps.
Stuck?
Email [email protected] with your network and what the phone said, and I'll talk you through it.