# What Is Call Forwarding? Types & Setup

Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-forwarding

> Call forwarding sends calls from your business number to another phone or service. Learn the forwarding types, dial codes, costs, and how to test it first.

Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls from one number to another. Callers dial the number they already know, and the phone provider redirects the call, either every time or only under conditions such as no answer, busy, or outside business hours. Businesses use it to reach staff or an answering service.

## How call forwarding works

Forwarding happens inside your phone provider’s network, not on the destination. On many mobile and landline services you turn it on with a dial code, such as Verizon’s *72 followed by the destination number; business phone systems usually have a settings page instead. Each provider documents its own codes and which conditions it supports.

There are two broad types. Unconditional forwarding sends every call onward, so your phone never rings. [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding) forwards only calls you miss or can’t take. Your provider may count forwarded calls as minutes on your plan, and the business number on your website, listings, and vans never changes.

## Example: a landscaper’s truck number

A landscaping owner’s cell number is painted on three trucks. During mowing season he can’t answer while on a mower, so he forwards all calls to an AI receptionist from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and turns forwarding off in the evening. Customers keep calling the same number they always have. This scenario is illustrative.

## Forwarding your number to InsertChat

In the US and Canada, InsertChat customers keep their existing number and forward it; elsewhere they use a local or toll-free InsertChat number where one is available. In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and InsertChat creates a private routing number for your provider to forward to. A verification call confirms the setup before customer calls arrive.

Our [call forwarding guides](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding) list the exact steps and dial codes for providers such as [Verizon](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [AT&T](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/att), and [T-Mobile](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/t-mobile), with removal steps. The first active line is included with your plan. See it in use for [landscaping companies](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping).

## Does call forwarding cost extra?

Many providers include it, but forwarded calls may use minutes on your phone plan. Check with your provider. On InsertChat, the first active line is included and additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes.

## Will callers know their call was forwarded?

Usually not. They dial your normal number and the provider redirects the call in its network. They may hear a short delay before the destination answers.

## How do I turn call forwarding off?

Use your provider’s cancel code or settings page. On Verizon wireless, for example, dialing *73 stops forwarding. Each InsertChat forwarding guide lists the removal steps for that provider.

## Related terms

- [Conditional call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/glossary/conditional-call-forwarding): Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: nobody answers within a set number of rings, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of coverage.
- [Number porting](https://insertchat.com/glossary/number-porting): Number porting is moving a phone number from one service provider to another so the business or person keeps the same number.
- [Local phone number](https://insertchat.com/glossary/local-phone-number): A local phone number is a standard number with an area code tied to a city or region, also called a geographic number.
- [Call routing](https://insertchat.com/glossary/call-routing): Call routing is the set of rules that decides where an incoming call goes and who answers it.
- [VoIP (voice over internet protocol)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/voip): VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is technology that carries phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line.

## Related InsertChat pages

- [Call forwarding guides by provider](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding)
- [Verizon call forwarding](https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/verizon)
- [AI receptionist for landscaping](https://insertchat.com/industries/landscaping)