Introduction

Call forwarding lets you keep your existing phone number with PhoneShield: callers dial the number they already know, and the call reaches the front desk first. This guide walks you through setting up forwarding based on your carrier and phone type, and how to test it.

Types of Call Forwarding

Call forwarding comes in several types, each serving different needs:

Unconditional Forwarding

All calls to your number are forwarded to PhoneShield automatically. Your phone won't ring at all.

Busy Forwarding

Calls are forwarded only when your line is busy or you're already on a call.

No Answer Forwarding

Calls are forwarded when you don't answer within a certain number of rings (typically 4-6 rings).

Unreachable Forwarding

Calls are forwarded when your phone is turned off or out of coverage area.

Setting Up on iPhone

iPhone users have two main methods to set up call forwarding. The switch is at Settings, Apps (at the very bottom of Settings), Phone, Call Forwarding. Tap your way there: the search field in Settings only finds Call Forwarding after it has been switched on once.

Method 1: Using Phone Settings

  1. Open the Settings app and scroll all the way down
  2. Tap Apps, then Phone (older iPhones: Phone is right in Settings)
  3. Tap Call Forwarding, in the Calls section. It can take a few seconds to open
  4. Toggle Call Forwarding on
  5. Tap Forward To (or Call Forwards To) and enter your PhoneShield number
  6. Tap Back to save

Note: This method only allows for unconditional forwarding. For other types of forwarding, use Method 2.

Method 2: Using Carrier Codes

If Method 1 doesn’t work, you can try dialing special codes:

  • Unconditional forwarding: Dial *21*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call
  • Busy forwarding: Dial *67*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call
  • No answer forwarding: Dial *61*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call
  • Unreachable forwarding: Dial *62*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call

To cancel forwarding, dial *#21# for unconditional, *#67# for busy,*#61# for no answer, or *#62# for unreachable.

Setting Up on Android

Android users also have two methods for setting up call forwarding:

Method 1: Using Phone App

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the three dots or Menu icon
  3. Select Settings or Call settings
  4. Tap Call forwarding or Additional settings then Call forwarding
  5. Select the type of forwarding you want to set up
  6. Enter your PhoneShield number
  7. Tap Enable, Turn on, or OK

Note: The exact steps may vary depending on your Android version and manufacturer.

Method 2: Using Carrier Codes

Same as iPhone, you can use the dialing codes:

  • Unconditional forwarding: Dial *21*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call
  • Busy forwarding: Dial *67*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call
  • No answer forwarding: Dial *61*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call
  • Unreachable forwarding: Dial *62*PhoneShieldNumber# then press call

Carrier-Specific Instructions

Different carriers have specific methods for setting up call forwarding:

AT&T

You can set up call forwarding through your AT&T account:

  1. Log in to your AT&T account
  2. Navigate to Wireless > Manage Features
  3. Find Call Forwarding and select Manage
  4. Enter your PhoneShield number and save changes

Alternatively, dial *72 followed by your PhoneShield number to enable, or *73 to disable.

Verizon

Set up call forwarding with Verizon:

  1. Log in to your Verizon account
  2. Navigate to Services > Call Forwarding
  3. Enter your PhoneShield number and save

Alternatively, from your Verizon phone, dial *72 followed by your PhoneShield number to enable, or *73 to disable.

T-Mobile

To set up call forwarding with T-Mobile:

  1. Log in to your T-Mobile account
  2. Navigate to Phone > Manage services
  3. Find Call Forwarding and select your options
  4. Enter your PhoneShield number and save

Alternatively, dial *21* followed by your PhoneShield number and # to enable, or ##21# to disable.

Forwarding Strategies

Here are some strategies for using conditional forwarding with PhoneShield:

Work Hours Only

Enable unconditional forwarding during work hours, and disable it after hours to screen your calls only when you're working.

Meetings/Do Not Disturb

Enable forwarding when you're in meetings or set your phone to Do Not Disturb mode, so PhoneShield handles calls when you can't be interrupted.

Sleep Hours

Set up forwarding during your sleep hours so your AI can handle late-night calls without disturbing you.

Favorites

Forward everything and let PhoneShield sort it: callers on your Favorites list ring you straight through with a whisper naming them, everyone else meets the front desk.

Advanced: Automation Apps

For even more control, consider using automation apps to manage your call forwarding:

  • IFTTT - Create applets that enable/disable call forwarding based on your location, time, or other triggers
  • Tasker (Android) - Create complex automation rules for call forwarding based on multiple conditions
  • Shortcuts (iOS) - Create shortcuts to quickly enable/disable forwarding with a single tap

Testing Your Setup

After setting up call forwarding, check that it works. Start with the built-in test; it takes ten seconds and needs no second phone:

  1. Run the loop-back test on Shield settings

    Under the phone that forwards, click “Test that forwarding is on”. PhoneShield calls your number; if forwarding is on, the call loops straight back to the front desk and the page confirms it. If your phone rings instead, forwarding is not active yet.

  2. Then call your regular number from another phone

    Use a phone that is not on your Favorites list, so you hear what a stranger hears.

  3. Check that the front desk answers

    You should hear the greeting you wrote and be asked who you are and why you are calling.

  4. Check that you receive the notification

    Leave a message and confirm it arrives through your chosen channels and in the Messages feed.

  5. Test disabling the forwarding

    Turn off forwarding with your carrier’s cancel code and verify that calls now ring directly to your phone.