# How to forward your business calls to an AI receptionist

You can keep your business number and send its calls to an AI receptionist with a short code dialed from your phone. Here are the codes for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and most landlines, how to choose between forwarding all calls or only missed ones, and how to test it.

To forward business calls, dial your carrier's forwarding code and the AI receptionist's number from your business phone. On Verizon and most landlines, dial ***72** and the number to forward all calls, or ***71** and the number to forward only calls you don't answer or are busy for; dial ***73** to stop. On AT&T and T-Mobile, dial ****21*1**, the 10-digit number and **#** for all calls, or ****004*1**, the number and **#** for unanswered calls; dial **##21#** or **##004#** to stop.

Call forwarding codes (dial from the phone whose calls you want to forward)
| Carrier | Forward all calls | Forward only unanswered calls | Turn forwarding off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon and most landlines | *72 + number | *71 + number (unanswered or busy) | *73 |
| AT&T and T-Mobile | **21*1 + number + # | **004*1 + number + # | ##21# (all) / ##004# (missed) |

## What you need before you start

You need the AI receptionist's phone number, the business phone you want to forward, and a second phone to test with. It takes about five minutes.
- **The number to forward to.** On Julius Answer by DealsFlow, this is the local number in your area code that is set up automatically after you subscribe. The setup assistant in the console can explain forwarding for your phone.
- **The phone you're forwarding.** Dial the codes from that phone: the cell phone or desk line whose number your customers call.
- **A second phone** to call your business number and check the forward works.
- **Direct numbers for your team.** If the AI receptionist will transfer calls to you, give it a number that is not the forwarded line, such as your cell phone. Otherwise a transfer can loop straight back to the AI.

## Should you keep your number or use a new one?

Keep your existing number and forward it if customers already know it from your vehicles, cards, website and Google listing. Use the AI receptionist's own number directly if you are starting a new business or want a separate line.
- **Keeping your number:** nothing to reprint, callers dial the number they already have, and you switch forwarding on and off with a code.
- **Using the new number:** Julius Answer includes a local number in your area code on every plan. You can publish it as your main line, or use it for one purpose, such as an after-hours or ad-campaign number.
- **Changing your mind later:** forwarding is reversible. Dial the stop code and your phone rings as before.

## Should you forward all calls or only unanswered calls?

Forward only unanswered calls if you want to keep answering when you're free and send the AI receptionist the calls you miss. Forward all calls if you want it to answer every call, for example after hours or on days you're on a job site.

All calls vs only unanswered calls
|  | Forward all calls | Forward only unanswered calls |
|---|---|---|
| Who answers first | The AI receptionist, every time | You; the AI receptionist gets the calls you don't pick up |
| What callers hear | An answer without waiting through rings | A few rings on your phone first |
| Best for | After hours, full days on the job, vacations, logging every call | Owners and small teams who answer when they can |
| Watch for | Your phone stops ringing; set transfer rules for the calls you want | Your voicemail must not pick up before the forward |
| Minutes used | Every call | Only the calls you miss |

Either way is better than sending missed calls to voicemail: in CallRail's September 2025 survey of 1,000 US consumers, only 42% said they leave a voicemail when a business doesn't answer. You can also combine the two: unanswered-call forwarding during the day and all-calls forwarding at night. Dial the all-calls code when you close and the stop code when you open.

## How to forward calls on Verizon and most landlines

On Verizon and most landlines, dial *72 followed by the AI receptionist's 10-digit number to forward all calls, or *71 followed by the number to forward calls you don't answer or are busy for. Dial *73 to turn forwarding off.
1. On the business phone, dial ***72** to forward all calls, or ***71** to forward only unanswered or busy calls.
1. Dial the AI receptionist's 10-digit number straight after the code, with no spaces. Example with a made-up number: ***725125550147**.
1. Press call and stay on until you hear a confirmation or the call ends.
1. Call your business number from another phone to check that it forwards.
1. To stop forwarding, dial ***73** from the same phone.

## How to forward calls on AT&T and T-Mobile

On AT&T and T-Mobile, dial **21*1, the AI receptionist's 10-digit number and # to forward all calls, or **004*1, the number and # to forward calls you don't answer, are busy for or miss because the phone is off. Dial ##21# or ##004# to turn each one off.
1. Open the keypad on the business phone.
1. Type ****21*1** to forward all calls, or ****004*1** to forward unanswered calls. The 1 is the US country code, so the 10-digit number follows it directly.
1. Type the 10-digit number, then **#**. Example with a made-up number: ****21*15125550147#**.
1. Press call and wait for the confirmation on screen.
1. Call your business number from another phone to check that it forwards.
1. To stop forwarding, dial **##21#** (if you forwarded all calls) or **##004#** (if you forwarded missed calls) from the same phone.

## How to forward calls from a VoIP or office phone system

On a VoIP or office phone system, use the provider's own call-forwarding setting instead of carrier codes. Look in its admin portal or app for call forwarding and choose whether to forward always, when unanswered, or outside business hours.
- **Find the forwarding setting.** Names vary by provider: look for call forwarding, call handling, routing rules or business hours.
- **Use your menu if you have one.** If callers hear a "press 1 for…" menu, you can point one option, or the after-hours route, at the AI receptionist's number instead of forwarding the whole line.
- **Check the ring time.** For unanswered-call forwarding, set how long the phone rings before forwarding, and make sure voicemail doesn't answer first.
- **Allow outside forwarding.** Some systems only forward to numbers outside the company once an administrator allows it.
- **Ask for help if you don't manage it.** Whoever runs your phone system, or the provider's support team, can forward the main number to an outside number for you.

## How to test call forwarding

Call your business number from a different phone and check that the AI receptionist answers and that the call summary arrives. Test each kind of call you set up, not only the first one.
- Call from a phone that isn't the forwarded one.
- For unanswered-call forwarding, let your phone ring without answering and check the AI receptionist picks up.
- Ask a question it should know, such as your hours, and one it shouldn't, to check it takes a message rather than guessing.
- Ask to book an appointment and check the request appears for you to confirm.
- Ask for a person and check the transfer reaches the right phone, not your forwarded line.
- Check the email summary arrives, and test again after hours if your rules differ.

## Troubleshooting call forwarding

Check three things first: a mistyped code, voicemail answering before the forward, and a line that doesn't allow forwarding. Then work through the table in order.

Common call forwarding problems
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| The code is rejected or nothing happens | Check the format: no spaces, the 1 after the asterisk on AT&T and T-Mobile, and # at the end. Dial from the phone whose number you're forwarding. If it still fails, ask your carrier whether call forwarding is on for your line. |
| Calls still go to voicemail | Your voicemail may be answering before the forward. Enter the unanswered-call code again, and if voicemail still wins, ask your carrier how long your phone rings before an unanswered call is passed on. |
| Your phone never rings | You probably forwarded all calls. Turn forwarding off and use the unanswered-call code if you want to answer first. |
| Forwarding won't turn off | Dial the stop code (*73, or on AT&T and T-Mobile ##21# for all calls and ##004# for missed calls) from the same phone. If calls still forward, check the call forwarding settings in your carrier account or call your carrier. |
| Transfers come back to the AI receptionist | The transfer number is the forwarded line. Use a direct number, such as a cell phone, for each person. |
| Callers wait through many rings | That is how unanswered-call forwarding works. Shorten the ring time where your system allows it, or forward all calls during busy times and after hours. |
| Office system won't forward outside | Ask your administrator or provider to allow forwarding to an outside number. |

Not sure an AI receptionist is right for your calls yet? Start with [what an AI receptionist is and how it works](/guides/what-is-an-ai-receptionist/).

## Forward your calls in five minutes

Start a 7-day free trial of Julius Answer, get a local number, and keep the business number your customers know.

[Start free trial](/signup/) [See pricing](/pricing/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I keep my existing business number?

Yes. Forward your existing number to the AI receptionist and callers keep dialing the number they already know. Julius Answer also includes a local number in your area code on every plan, which you can use on its own or as the number you forward to.

### Can I forward calls only after hours?

Carrier codes don't follow a schedule, so either dial the all-calls code when you close (*72 plus the number on Verizon; **21*1, the number and # on AT&T and T-Mobile) and the stop code when you open, or use your VoIP system's business-hours routing. You can also leave unanswered-call forwarding on all the time, so the AI receptionist gets only the calls you miss.

### What happens if several forwarded calls come in at once?

Each call to your number is passed on to the AI receptionist, which answers as many at the same time as your plan allows. Julius Answer answers 1 call at a time on Starter, 3 at once on Pro and 10 on Business.

### Will my carrier charge for forwarded calls?

It depends on your phone plan. Some plans count forwarded calls as minutes used, so check your plan or ask your carrier before you forward all calls.

### Can I use AI to answer calls on my cell phone?

Yes. If your business number is your cell phone, forward only unanswered calls with the codes on this page: *71 plus the number on Verizon, or **004*1, the number and # on AT&T and T-Mobile. You still answer when you can, and the AI receptionist takes the rest.

### What happens to my voicemail when calls are forwarded?

Forwarded calls go to the AI receptionist instead of your voicemail, so callers talk with someone instead of leaving a recording. That matters: only 42% of US consumers said they leave a voicemail when a business doesn't answer, in CallRail's 2025 survey of 1,000 people.

## Sources
1. [Missed calls cost businesses more than ever (survey of 1,000 US consumers)](https://www.callrail.com/blog/missed-calls-cost-businesses-more-than-ever), CallRail, September 25, 2025
1. [Call forwarding: everything you need to know (*72, *71, *73)](https://www.verizon.com/articles/call-forwarding-everything-you-need-to-know/), Verizon, 2026
1. [Call forwarding (GSM codes **21, **004 and their ## cancel codes)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_forwarding), Wikipedia, 2026

Checked 2026-10-19. Third-party prices and features change; check the vendor before you buy.

---
Source: https://julius.dealsflow.ai/guides/how-to-forward-business-calls/
Updated: 2026-10-19