How to Set Up Call Forwarding on T-Mobile (2026 Guide)

    Last verified July 2026Sources:T-Mobile self-service short codesT-Mobile calling servicesReviewed by Daniel Slovak, EazyAgent AI

    T-Mobile is fully GSM and uses the international double-star pattern: **21* to activate and ##21# to deactivate. The double star (not single) matters — a single-star code will fail silently on most T-Mobile phones. If you're moving over from Verizon or another CDMA carrier, this is the biggest gotcha.

    T-Mobile also gives you a useful escape hatch: ##004# clears every type of forwarding at once. If you've set multiple rules and want a clean slate, dial ##004# and start fresh.

    Plan & eligibility on T-Mobile

    • Works on most T-Mobile plans, including prepaid.
    • Forwarding to international numbers isn't supported — US 10-digit numbers only.
    • Forwarded minutes count against plan minutes.
    • Now covers former UScellular customers migrated after the 2025 acquisition.

    TL;DR — T-Mobile in 10 seconds

    Turn ON (forward all)

    **21*[number]#

    Turn OFF

    ##21#

    Replace [number] with the 10-digit phone number you want calls sent to — no dashes, no country code, no spaces.

    Method A — Dial codes

    The fastest way. Open your phone's dialer, type the code exactly as shown, and press call. You'll hear a short confirmation tone.

    Verify on T-Mobile self-service short codes
    What it doesActivateDeactivate
    Forward all calls**21*[number]###21#
    Forward when no reply**61*[number]###61#
    Forward when unreachable**62*[number]###62#
    Forward when busy**67*[number]###67#
    Reset all forwarding##004#

    Method B — In-phone settings

    iPhone (T-Mobile)

    1. Open Settings
    2. Tap Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding
    3. Toggle on and enter your 10-digit forwarding number
    4. Or dial **21*[number]# in the Phone app and press call

    Android (T-Mobile)

    1. Open the Phone app
    2. Tap three-dot menu → Settings → Calling accounts
    3. Select your T-Mobile SIM → Call forwarding
    4. Choose the forwarding type and enter the number

    Forward only your missed calls

    You're on a roof, under a sink, driving between jobs. You don't need every call forwarded — just the ones you can't get to. That's called conditional forwarding, and it's the setup most trades businesses use.

    • Forward when no reply — keep the call ringing on your phone first. If you don't pick up in 15–20 seconds, it forwards.
    • Forward when busy — you're already on a call, the next one still gets answered instead of hitting voicemail.
    • Forward when unreachable — you're in a basement or a dead zone. The call still gets picked up.

    Combine all three and no caller ever hits voicemail again — but you still answer the calls you're free to take.

    T-Mobile call forwarding not working?

    Verify on T-Mobile self-service short codes

    T-Mobile documents the double-star format (**21*[number]#) — single-star codes aren't documented and may not register.

    If star codes fail, use the in-phone Call Forwarding menu instead — some T-Mobile phones prefer the IMS/carrier settings path.

    Dial ##004# to wipe every active forwarding rule at once if things get tangled.

    • Make sure you entered a raw 10-digit number — no +1, no dashes, no spaces.

    • Dial the deactivate code first, wait 10 seconds, then re-enter the activate code.

    • If voicemail keeps catching the call, your voicemail is answering faster than forwarding activates. Ask T-Mobile to raise your ring timer or use "no reply" forwarding with a longer delay where supported.

    • Restart your phone after enabling — some devices cache the old routing.

    Where should you forward your T-Mobile calls?

    Forwarding only works if you have a number to forward to. That's EazyAgent — a dedicated AI receptionist line that answers every call you miss, captures the caller's name, number, and job details, and drops the lead straight into your pipeline.

    Get your forwarding number →No forms. No sales call.

    See what missed calls are costing you

    Your Numbers

    Adjust to match your business. Results update live.

    12

    Local trades businesses miss 28%–62% of inbound calls

    $

    What an average job is worth to you

    35%

    % of qualified leads you'd normally close

    Revenue Going to Your Competition

    $92,820

    Per year in missed jobs

    Weekly Missed

    $1,785

    Monthly Missed

    $7,729

    EazyAgent starts at $468/year.

    Catching just 2 missed jobs per year pays for it.

    Stop Losing These Jobs →

    T-Mobile Call Forwarding FAQ

    Dial **21*[number]# from your T-Mobile phone. To turn it off, dial ##21#.

    Other USA carrier guides

    Built on Infrastructure You Trust

    • SSL Encrypted
    • Twilio
      Powered by Twilio
    • ElevenLabs
      Voice by ElevenLabs
    • OpenAI
      AI by OpenAI
    • AWS
      Hosted on AWS
    • Stripe
      Payments by Stripe

    Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We never sell your information.

    Get My Receptionist Live — Free

    No contracts. Cancel anytime.