How to forward calls from a mobile phone to another number: codes and rules
Sado AI team · · 4 min read
In short
To forward calls from a mobile, enter another number in the phone settings or dial a standard code. There are four kinds: all calls, when busy, when unanswered and when the phone is off. For a business the last three usually suit best: if you make it, you answer; if not, the call goes to a colleague or to the number an AI operator answers. Forwarded calls may cost money on your tariff. After setting it up, test it with a call from another phone.
Four kinds of forwarding
- All calls: your phone doesn’t ring at all; calls go straight to the other number. Useful on holiday or when you hand the number over completely.
- When busy: a second call isn’t lost while you’re on the first.
- When unanswered: the phone rings for a few seconds, then the call moves to the other number.
- Off or out of reach: the battery is dead, you’re in the metro or somewhere without signal.
The standard codes
Dial the code like a normal number, then press the call button.
| Case | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| All calls | **21*number# | ##21# |
| When busy | **67*number# | ##67# |
| When unanswered | **61*number# | ##61# |
| Off or out of reach | **62*number# | ##62# |
| All three cases at once | **004*number# | ##004# |
| Every forwarding | — | ##002# |
Write the number in full: +998 and nine digits, no spaces, for example **004*+998XXXXXXXXX#. You can set how many seconds to wait: **61*number**20# means 20 seconds (usually 5 to 30). To check the status: *#21#, *#67#, *#61#, *#62#.
Most operators accept these standard codes. If one doesn’t work, use the phone settings or ask your operator.
Through the phone settings
- iPhone: Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding. This only offers “all calls”; use the codes for conditional forwarding.
- Android: Phone app → ⋮ → Settings → Calls → Call forwarding. Menu names differ a little between models.
- On a dual-SIM phone, pick which SIM you are setting up.
- Call from another phone and test each case: don’t answer, reject the call, switch the phone off.
Where to forward calls
To a colleague’s mobile, to the office city number, or to the number an AI operator answers. For example, Nodira bakes cakes at home and takes orders on her personal mobile. With her hands in dough she can’t pick up. She sets “unanswered” and “busy” forwarding to a number connected to the AI operator: the operator takes the order down, and Nodira reads it in the portal when she’s free.
Sado: Assalomu alaykum, Shirin Tort, this is Malika. Nodira is busy right now, so I’ll take your order.
Caller: Hello. I need a birthday cake for Saturday.
Sado: Sure. For how many people, and what kind would you like?
Caller: For ten, chocolate. With “Ali 7” written on top.
Sado: Noted: Saturday, a chocolate cake for ten with “Ali 7” on it. Nodira will tell you the price and pick-up time herself. Shall she call you on this number?
Caller: Yes, this one.
Sado: Thank you, she’ll be in touch today.
About this kind of operator: AI operator for incoming calls and questions about Sado. Which route suits you, mobile forwarding or a separate SIP number, Sado’s team decides with you and checks with a test call. Try it live.
What to know
- Nothing changes for customers: they call your mobile as before.
- Forwarding covers incoming calls only. The AI operator’s outgoing calls go from the number connected to it, not from your personal SIM.
- Forwarded minutes may be charged on your tariff, and on some tariffs the service has to be switched on separately.
- Telegram and WhatsApp calls aren’t forwarded: the codes only work for ordinary calls.
- When you no longer need forwarding, cancel it: ##002# turns everything off.
Questions
Is mobile call forwarding paid?
It depends on your tariff: on many tariffs you pay for a forwarded call as if you had made it yourself. Ask your operator for the exact price.
What if the code doesn’t work?
Try the phone settings first. If that fails too, call your operator: on some tariffs forwarding has to be switched on separately.
Can forwarding run only after working hours?
The codes have no schedule: you switch it on in the evening and off in the morning. If that’s a chore, keep “unanswered” forwarding on all the time, so daytime calls you miss aren’t lost either.
How long should the phone ring before forwarding?
For a business, 15–20 seconds works well: you have time to pick up and the customer doesn’t wait too long. You set the time in the code.