How to forward calls on T-Mobile

T-Mobile supports both "always forward" (unconditional) and "forward only sometimes" (conditional) with different star codes. This guide covers every one.

The quick version

On your T-Mobile phone, open the dialer and enter **21* followed by the 10-digit number you want calls forwarded to, then press call. To turn forwarding off, dial ##21#.

Step-by-step: enable call forwarding on T-Mobile

Open the phone dialer app on the T-Mobile line you want to forward. You'll enter a short code the same way you'd enter a phone number.

Type **21* followed immediately by the 10-digit number you want calls forwarded to. No spaces, no dashes, no "+1". Example: **21*5551234567.

Press the call/send button. You'll hear a short confirmation tone or a brief recorded message, then the call ends automatically.

Test it. From a different phone (or ask a friend), call your T-Mobile number. It should ring at your forwarding destination, not your cell.

To turn forwarding off

Open the dialer, enter ##21#, and press call. You'll hear a confirmation. Your line is back to normal immediately.

Conditional forwarding (only when you don't answer)

Sometimes you want to handle some calls yourself and forward the rest. "Conditional" call forwarding routes calls only when your line is busy, unanswered, or unreachable. T-Mobile supports four separate conditional codes:

**67*NUMBER# — forward when your line is busy (##67# to disable).
**61*NUMBER# — forward when you don't answer (##61# to disable).
**62*NUMBER# — forward when unreachable / no signal (##62# to disable).
**004*NUMBER# — sets all three conditional rules at once to the same number (##004# to disable).

If you want every call to forward regardless of state, stick with **21*.

Using the T-Mobile app instead

The T-Mobile app lets you manage forwarding under Account → your line → Profile settings → Call forwarding. Toggle on, enter the destination number, save. This is the safer option if you're worried about typing a code wrong.

Things worth knowing

T-Mobile also supports legacy *72 / *73 codes on some lines, but the **21* GSM format is more reliable network-wide.
Metro by T-Mobile uses the same codes.
Wi-Fi calling and call forwarding can sometimes conflict. If forwarding isn't working as expected, try briefly turning off Wi-Fi calling, test, then turn it back on.
No cost for forwarding on T-Mobile Magenta, Go5G, or Essentials plans.

Forwarding to an AI receptionist?

The whole reason you're reading this is probably to stop missing calls. If you're setting up call forwarding to send calls to a voice assistant, an answering service, or an AI, the steps above are the same — you just enter their number as the forward-to destination. Human Add AI gives you a dedicated AI receptionist that answers 24/7, captures every caller's intent, and texts you the details. Try it free for 7 days →

Troubleshooting

You hear an error or fast busy signal. Double-check you entered a valid 10-digit number with no extra characters. Some T-Mobile plans (pre-paid especially) don't include call forwarding — if it still won't set up, call T-Mobile and ask them to enable "call forwarding" on your line.
Calls still ring your cell. Forwarding can take up to a minute to activate. Wait 60 seconds and test again. If it's still not working, dial ##21# to clear it, then redo the enable code.
You want to stop forwarding but don't remember the code. Dial ##21# from the forwarded line. That's the universal "cancel all forwarding" code on most networks.
Voicemail is picking up before the forward kicks in. That's usually because your voicemail delay is set shorter than the forward. If you want forwarded calls to always get through, use unconditional forwarding (**21*) instead of conditional.