How do you forward calls on verizon wireless: What It Is and Why Your Business Might Need One

How do you forward calls on verizon wireless: What It Is and Why Your Business Might Need One


Understanding Call Forwarding on Verizon Wireless

Call forwarding is one of those essential features that can make your mobile experience significantly more convenient. If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer running a business, knowing how to properly set up call forwarding can be a game-changer for your communication strategy.

Basically, call forwarding allows incoming calls to your Verizon number to be automatically redirected to another phone number of your choice. This comes in handy when you can’t answer your primary phone but don’t want to miss important business calls.

The beauty of Verizon’s call forwarding is its simplicity and flexibility. You can forward calls to any number—whether it’s another cell phone, your office landline, or even your AI receptionist for small business. It’s all about ensuring you never miss those crucial customer calls that could impact your business success.

Different Types of Call Forwarding Options

Verizon offers several call forwarding variations to fit different needs. Let’s break them down so you can choose what works best for your situation:

Immediate Call Forwarding: All calls are automatically sent to another number without ringing on your phone first. Perfect when you’re completely unavailable or want to direct all calls to your AI call assistant.

Busy Call Forwarding: Calls are only forwarded when your line is busy. This ensures callers don’t hit a dead end when you’re on another call.

Delayed Call Forwarding: Calls forward after a certain number of rings. This gives you a chance to answer but ensures the call gets picked up if you can’t get to it.

Selective Call Forwarding: You can choose specific numbers to forward while letting others ring through normally. This is great for prioritizing certain clients or team members.

Each option serves different business needs and can be integrated with AI phone service solutions for enhanced functionality.

Setting Up Basic Call Forwarding on Verizon

Setting up standard call forwarding on Verizon Wireless is surprisingly simple. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Open your phone’s dialer app
  2. Dial *72 followed by the 10-digit number where you want calls forwarded
  3. Press the call button
  4. Wait for confirmation (usually a tone or message)
  5. Hang up and your forwarding is active!

To cancel this forwarding, just dial *73 and press call. You’ll hear a confirmation, and your calls will return to normal.

Remember that standard call forwarding redirects all calls immediately. This is perfect if you’re stepping away from your phone completely or want everything directed to your AI phone answering system.

The whole process takes less than a minute, making it one of the easiest ways to manage your incoming calls. No app downloads or complicated settings menus required!

Setting Up Conditional Call Forwarding

Conditional call forwarding gives you more control over when your calls get redirected. Here’s how to set up each type:

For Busy Call Forwarding:

  1. Dial *90 followed by the 10-digit forwarding number
  2. Press call and wait for confirmation
  3. To deactivate, dial *91

For No Answer/Delayed Call Forwarding:

  1. Dial *92 followed by the 10-digit number
  2. Press call and wait for confirmation
  3. To cancel, dial *93

For Unreachable Call Forwarding (when your phone is off or has no service):

  1. Dial *94 followed by the 10-digit number
  2. Press call
  3. To deactivate, dial *95

These conditional options can be particularly useful for businesses that want to implement a tiered response system before calls reach an AI voice agent or human representative.

Setting up multiple conditional forwards simultaneously creates a comprehensive call management system that ensures customer calls are always handled appropriately.

Using the Verizon App for Call Forwarding

For those who prefer a visual interface, the My Verizon app offers a user-friendly way to manage call forwarding:

  1. Download and open the My Verizon app
  2. Sign in to your account
  3. Navigate to the "Devices" section
  4. Select your phone number
  5. Tap "Call Forwarding" in the features menu
  6. Enter the forwarding number and select the type of forwarding
  7. Save your settings

The app gives you a comprehensive view of all your call forwarding settings in one place. You can easily toggle different forwarding rules on and off without remembering dial codes.

This method works perfectly for business owners who want to quickly adjust their call handling when moving between meetings or leaving the office. It’s also easier to coordinate with your conversational AI for business setup.

Remember that any changes made in the app take effect immediately, giving you real-time control over your business call routing.

Business Use Cases for Call Forwarding

Call forwarding isn’t just convenient—it’s a strategic business tool when used correctly. Here are some powerful applications:

Never Miss Important Calls: Forward calls to your cell when away from your desk, ensuring you’re always reachable for crucial business matters.

Professional After-Hours Handling: Route after-hours calls to an AI receptionist that can schedule appointments and answer basic questions.

Team Collaboration: Forward calls to different team members based on availability, creating a seamless client experience.

Remote Work Flexibility: Easily redirect office calls to home offices or mobile phones as your work location changes.

Disaster Recovery: If your main business line goes down, calls can automatically reroute to backup numbers.

Many businesses are now integrating these forwarding capabilities with AI call center solutions to create sophisticated, responsive communication systems that operate 24/7.

With proper implementation, call forwarding can significantly enhance your customer experience while making your internal processes more efficient.

Cost Considerations for Verizon Call Forwarding

Before setting up call forwarding, it’s important to understand the potential costs involved:

Basic call forwarding is typically included in most Verizon Wireless plans at no additional charge. However, you should be aware of these factors:

  1. Standard airtime and long-distance charges may apply to forwarded calls
  2. If you’re forwarding to international numbers, international rates will apply
  3. Data charges may occur if using the Verizon app to manage forwarding settings
  4. If forwarding to premium numbers, those fees will apply

For businesses handling high call volumes, these charges can add up. That’s why many companies are exploring cost-effective alternatives like AI calling solutions that can reduce overall communication expenses.

To avoid surprises on your bill, check your specific plan details or contact Verizon customer service before setting up extensive forwarding rules for your business lines.

Troubleshooting Common Call Forwarding Issues

Sometimes call forwarding doesn’t work as expected. Here are solutions to the most common problems:

Forwarding Not Activating:

  • Ensure you entered the correct forwarding code (72, 90, etc.)
  • Check that you included the full 10-digit number
  • Verify your account doesn’t have forwarding restrictions

Calls Not Forwarding Properly:

  • Deactivate all forwarding (*73) and try setting it up again
  • Check network coverage in your area
  • Restart your phone to refresh network connections

Unable to Cancel Forwarding:

  • Try using the My Verizon app instead of dial codes
  • Contact customer support if persistent issues occur
  • Check for conflicting settings in any AI phone integrations you might be using

If these basic troubleshooting steps don’t resolve your issue, Verizon’s customer support can help diagnose account-specific problems. Business account holders typically have access to priority support channels.

For companies with complex call routing needs, consulting with a communications specialist might be valuable to ensure optimal configuration with your business systems and any AI calling platforms you utilize.

Integrating Call Forwarding with Business Systems

For maximum efficiency, consider integrating Verizon call forwarding with your existing business systems:

CRM Integration: Forward calls to numbers that automatically log in your CRM, creating seamless customer interaction records.

Virtual Phone Systems: Combine forwarding with services like Twilio AI call centers for enhanced routing capabilities.

Scheduling Tools: Set up time-based forwarding rules that align with your business hours and staff schedules.

Team Collaboration Platforms: Integrate with platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams to unify communications.

Modern businesses are creating powerful workflows by connecting traditional carrier services like Verizon forwarding with AI phone agents and other digital communication tools.

This integrated approach ensures calls reach the right person or system at the right time, while maintaining valuable data throughout the customer journey. The result is a more responsive, data-driven communication strategy.

Advanced Call Management Beyond Forwarding

While basic call forwarding is useful, combining it with other Verizon features creates a comprehensive business communication system:

Visual Voicemail: Missed forwarded calls can go to visual voicemail, making message management easier.

Verizon Call Filter: Screen spam calls before they reach your forwarding destinations.

One Talk: Verizon’s business solution that allows seamless call transfer between devices.

Custom Caller ID: Maintain your business identity even when calls are forwarded to personal devices.

Many businesses are taking these capabilities even further by implementing conversational AI solutions that can handle initial call screening before determining whether human intervention is needed.

The combination of carrier features with modern AI technology creates a powerful system that optimizes both customer experience and internal efficiency.

Privacy and Security Considerations

When implementing call forwarding for your business, keep these privacy and security factors in mind:

Customer Data Protection: Ensure forwarded calls maintain compliance with industry regulations like HIPAA or GDPR.

Employee Privacy: Consider the implications of forwarding business calls to personal devices.

Call Recording Notifications: If calls might be recorded after forwarding (especially to AI systems), proper notification is legally required.

Number Masking Options: Explore ways to protect both customer and employee phone numbers during forwarded calls.

Businesses handling sensitive information should work with their compliance teams when setting up call forwarding protocols. This is especially important when incorporating AI voice conversation systems that might store or process call data.

With thoughtful implementation, you can create a system that balances accessibility with appropriate privacy protections.

Call Forwarding vs. Other Call Management Solutions

How does traditional call forwarding compare to other options? Let’s examine the alternatives:

Virtual Phone Systems: Services like Google Voice offer forwarding plus additional features, but may lack carrier-grade reliability.

VoIP Solutions: Business VoIP providers include robust forwarding capabilities plus advanced call management, though they require internet connectivity.

AI-Powered Systems: Platforms like Callin.io can not only forward calls but actively engage with callers using artificial intelligence.

Unified Communications: Enterprise solutions that combine forwarding with messaging, video, and collaboration tools.

The best approach for your business likely combines traditional carrier forwarding with complementary technologies. Many companies start with basic Verizon forwarding and gradually integrate more sophisticated tools like AI sales representatives as their needs evolve.

Consider your call volume, budget, technical capabilities, and customer experience goals when evaluating these options.

Setting Up Temporary vs. Permanent Forwarding

Different business situations call for different forwarding approaches:

Temporary Forwarding:

  • Perfect for short business trips or temporary office relocations
  • Easy to activate and deactivate as needed
  • Works well for covering staff absences

Permanent Forwarding:

  • Better for ongoing remote work arrangements
  • Ideal for permanently routing specific types of calls (e.g., support vs. sales)
  • Usually integrated with more comprehensive systems like AI call centers

Verizon supports both approaches equally well. For temporary needs, using the dial codes or app makes quick changes simple. For permanent solutions, it’s worth exploring more sophisticated options that might include AI appointment setters or full call center capabilities.

The key is matching your forwarding strategy to your actual business communication patterns rather than trying to force-fit a one-size-fits-all solution.

International Considerations for Verizon Call Forwarding

For businesses with global operations, here are important international forwarding considerations:

International Forwarding Charges: Forwarding to international numbers incurs international rates, which can be substantial.

Country Restrictions: Some countries have restrictions on call forwarding services.

Time Zone Management: Consider time differences when forwarding across global regions.

Alternative Solutions: In some cases, AI voice agents might be more cost-effective than direct international forwarding.

Businesses with significant international communication needs should explore comprehensive global communication platforms that can integrate with Verizon services while optimizing for international requirements.

Many companies find that a combination of strategic forwarding and intelligent AI communication tools provides the most cost-effective global solution.

Take Your Business Communication to the Next Level with Callin.io

If you’re looking to manage your business communications efficiently and effectively, I recommend exploring Callin.io. This platform allows you to implement AI-based phone agents that can autonomously handle both incoming and outgoing calls. With innovative AI phone agents, you can automate appointments, answer common questions, and even close sales while interacting naturally with customers.

The free Callin.io account offers an intuitive interface to set up your AI agent, including test calls and access to the task dashboard for monitoring interactions. For those seeking advanced features like Google Calendar integrations and built-in CRM functionality, subscription plans start at just $30 per month.

Discover how Callin.io can transform your Verizon call forwarding strategy into a comprehensive, intelligent communication system that works around the clock to support your business growth.

Vincenzo Piccolo callin.io

Helping businesses grow faster with AI. 🚀 At Callin.io, we make it easy for companies close more deals, engage customers more effectively, and scale their growth with smart AI voice assistants. Ready to transform your business with AI? 📅 Let’s talk!

Vincenzo Piccolo
Chief Executive Officer and Co Founder