How to forward calls on a Verizon Business line
On a Verizon wireless phone, dial *72 and the 10-digit number to forward every call, or *71 and the number to forward only calls you don't answer or can't take because you're on another call. Dial *73 to turn forwarding off.
Verizon business landlines, Business Digital Voice and One Talk work a little differently. The exact steps for each are below.
Steps taken from Verizon Business's own help pages, checked October 29, 2026. See sources.
Which kind of Verizon line do you have?
Verizon sells several kinds of business phone service, and the codes depend on which one your number is on: a Verizon wireless (mobile) line, a traditional landline, Business Digital Voice (phone service over your internet connection) or One Talk. If you're not sure which you have, check your bill or ask Verizon.
Verizon wireless (mobile) lines
Forward all calls
- From the phone you want to forward, dial *72 followed by the 10-digit number you're forwarding to, area code included.
- Listen for a series of beeps, then wait for the call to end on its own.
- Every call now goes to the new number instead of your phone.
Forward only busy or unanswered calls
- From the phone you want to forward, dial *71 followed by the 10-digit number.
- Listen for a series of beeps, then wait for the call to end on its own.
- Your phone still rings first. If you're on another call, or you don't answer within 3 to 6 rings, the call goes to the number you set instead of your voicemail.
Turn forwarding off
- From the same phone, dial *73.
- Listen for a series of beeps (it can sound like a busy signal), then wait for the call to end.
Traditional Verizon business landlines
Forward all calls
- Lift the receiver and listen for the dial tone.
- Press *72 (or dial 1172 on a rotary phone).
- Dial the number you want calls sent to. If that call isn't answered or the line is busy, hang up and dial it again within two minutes.
- Two short tones mean forwarding is on. Hang up.
While it's on, your phone gives one short reminder ring for each forwarded call. You can't answer those calls on your own line, but you can still make outgoing calls.
Forward only busy or unanswered calls
Verizon offers this as a separate feature called Call Forwarding–Busy Line/Do Not Answer, and availability varies by area. Verizon's help page doesn't list a dial code for it. If you have the Fixed option, Verizon sets the forwarding number for you and changes it through a service order, so call Verizon to set it up.
Turn forwarding off
- Lift the receiver and listen for the dial tone.
- Press *73 (or dial 1173 on a rotary phone).
- Two short tones mean forwarding is off, and calls ring your line again.
Verizon Business Digital Voice
For each code that turns forwarding on, dial the code, then the number you're forwarding to, then #. The codes that turn it off are dialed on their own. Changes you make with codes also show up in your User Portal dashboard.
Forward all calls
- Turn on: *72, the number, then #
- Turn off: *73
Forward only busy or unanswered calls
- When you're busy: *90, the number, then #. Turn off with *91.
- When you don't answer: *92, the number, then #. Turn off with *93.
- When your line can't be reached (for example, an internet or power outage): *94, the number, then #. Turn off with *95.
Verizon One Talk
Forward all, busy or unanswered calls
- Sign in to My Business and click Manage Account in the top menu.
- Under Product Portals, choose One Talk, then Manage features.
- Open the User Features tab and click Call Forwarding.
- Pick the Always, Busy or No Answer tab, turn on the Status switch next to the line, choose Phone number, enter the number and click Submit.
Turn forwarding off
- Go back to the same tab and turn off the Status switch next to the line.
How to test it
- Call your business number from a different phone.
- If you set up *72 (all calls), the forwarded number should answer and your own phone shouldn't ring.
- If you set up *71, call once and let it ring without answering, then call again while you're on another call. Both calls should reach the forwarded number, not your voicemail.
- If the code didn't take, dial it again, or call Verizon customer service. Verizon notes that star codes may not work when you're outside its wireless coverage area.
Does it cost extra?
Verizon says there's no monthly fee for call forwarding on most wireless plans, though a fee may apply on some older plans. If your plan doesn't have unlimited minutes, forwarded calls are billed according to your plan. The number you forward to must be an active US number; international numbers aren't allowed. On landlines, forwarding to a long-distance number brings long-distance charges, and normal local or toll charges may apply.
Using Verizon call forwarding with Voxlivo
On a Verizon wireless line, the usual setup is *71 plus your Voxlivo number: your phone rings first, and if you're busy or don't pick up, your Voxlivo line answers instead of voicemail.
With Voxlivo you keep your number and your carrier. You forward calls to the dedicated US number we give you, either all the time or only when you don't pick up. When you sign up, we send you the exact forwarding steps for your carrier and line, and you make a few test calls before it goes live.
Your line answers 24/7 in your business's name, tells callers it's a virtual assistant, books jobs into Google Calendar and emails you a summary after every call, with the recording and transcript in your portal. Growth and above add text summaries and live transfer of urgent calls to your phone. Plans start at $49 a month. See how it works and pricing, read our general guide to forwarding business calls, or pick another carrier from all call-forwarding guides.
Verizon call forwarding questions
What's the difference between *72 and *71 on Verizon?
On a Verizon wireless line, *72 sends every call straight to the new number, so your phone doesn't ring. *71 only forwards calls when you're on another call or don't answer within 3 to 6 rings. *73 turns either one off.
How do I turn off call forwarding on Verizon?
Dial *73 from the phone that's forwarding. That works on wireless lines, traditional landlines and Business Digital Voice. Business Digital Voice also has separate off codes for busy (*91), no-answer (*93) and unreachable (*95) forwarding. On One Talk, turn off the Status switch in the Call Forwarding settings.
Does Verizon charge for call forwarding?
Verizon says most wireless plans have no monthly fee for it, but a fee may apply on some older plans, and forwarded calls use your minutes if you don't have unlimited talk. On landlines, long-distance or toll charges may apply depending on where you forward. Check your own plan to be sure.
Can I set up Verizon call forwarding without my phone?
Verizon says to contact its customer service if you don't have your phone or the code doesn't work. The codes themselves have to be dialed from the line you want to forward.
Do I keep my Verizon number if I forward it to an answering service?
Yes. Forwarding only changes where calls ring. Your number, plan and bill stay with Verizon, and you can turn forwarding off any time with *73.
Sources
Verizon Business's official help pages, checked October 29, 2026. Carriers change menus and codes from time to time, so if a step doesn't match what you see, follow Verizon's current page or call their support.
Other carriers
Never send a missed call to voicemail again.
Forward the calls you miss to a Voxlivo line that answers in about two seconds, 24/7. We do the setup, you keep your number.