AT&T Call Forwarding Instructions

Call Forwarding Instructions

This is a cheat sheet for AT&T customers looking to direct their incoming calls to an answering service. Let’s walk through the various ways you can set up call forwarding on your AT&T phone—whether it’s general call forwarding, no answer, and busy forwarding. With call forwarding you will never miss an important call—and always help customers when they need it the most.

Unconditional Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver on your business phone and Dial *72 or 72# once you hear the dial tone.
  2. Enter the number you want to forward calls:
    • For long distance calls, press 1 + the 10-digit number provided to you by your answering service.
    • Numbers that are not long distance only need to be dialed enter the 3-digit area code + the 7-digit number.
    • Local calls that do not require an area code should only be entered as the 7-digit phone number.
  3. Call forwarding will be activated once you hear the confirmation tone.

No Answer Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver on your business phone, dial *92 on your keypad​​
  2. Enter your 10-digit answering service forwarding number followed by the # key.
  3. Call forwarding will be activated once you hear the confirmation tone.

Busy Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver on your business phone, dial *90 on your keypad.
  2. Enter your 10-digit answering service forwarding number followed by the # key.
  3. Call forwarding will be activated once you hear the confirmation tone.

Selective Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver on your business phone and listen for the dial tone, then press *63.
  2. Follow the prompts to forward pre-selected phone numbers.

Keep in mind that some answering services may have specific requirements or limitations with their call forwarding capabilities. So make sure to always check with them to be certain they can take forwarded calls. An important note: before using the forwarding option for customer calls, always make sure it works as you expected.

Turn Off Call Forwarding

Unconditional Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver and wait for a dial tone.
  2. Dial *73# on your phone—do not add your forwarding number for this process.
  3. Once you hear the confirmation tone, end the call and your call forwarding will be turned off.

No Answer Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver and wait for a dial tone.
  2. Dial *93# on your phone—do not add your forwarding number for this process.
  3. Once you hear the confirmation tone, end the call and your call forwarding will be turned off.

Busy Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver and wait for a dial tone.
  2. Dial *91# on your phone—do not add your forwarding number for this process.
  3. Once you hear the confirmation tone, end the call and your call forwarding will be turned off.

Selective Call Forwarding:

  1. Lift the receiver and press *83 on the keypad.
  2. Follow the prompts to deactivate selective call forwarding.
  3. When you deactivate, you can choose to either save or delete your list of forwarded numbers.
    • To save your list – simply hang up.
    • To remove your entire list – dial 08, then hang up.
    • To remove all private numbers – dial 09, then hang up. 

AT&T Call Forwarding FAQs

1. What Happens When You Put Your Phone on Call Forwarding with AT&T Business or Enterprise Accounts?

When call forwarding is activated on an AT&T business or enterprise account, incoming calls to your business phone are automatically forwarded to a predetermined number, ensuring no important calls are missed. This feature is beneficial for managing calls during off-hours, redirecting to different departments, or maintaining continuity during employee unavailability. Business accounts often have additional call forwarding options, like selective or time-based forwarding, integrated with other communication systems for enhanced functionality. The specific features, charges, and administration of call forwarding can vary depending on the business plan, and it’s advisable to consult AT&T’s business support for detailed information.

2. Are There Different Instructions to Forward Calls Depending on My Location?

For AT&T enterprise or business accounts, the basic instructions for call forwarding are generally consistent regardless of your location. However, there might be slight variations or additional features available depending on regional services, network infrastructure, and the specific business plan you have with AT&T.

  • Standard Procedure: The standard call forwarding procedure (such as dialing a specific code to activate or deactivate forwarding) is typically uniform across different locations.
  • Local vs. Long-Distance Forwarding: There may be differences in terms of charges or policies when forwarding calls to local vs. long-distance numbers. This can depend on your specific AT&T business plan and the region your business operates in.
  • Advanced Features: Some regions or specific business plans may offer advanced call forwarding features like selective forwarding, time-based forwarding, or integration with other business systems.
  • Network and Infrastructure Considerations: In some cases, the local network infrastructure or regional regulations might impact how certain call forwarding features function or are set up.

It’s always best to consult the documentation provided with your AT&T business account or to contact AT&T enterprise support directly for the most accurate and location-specific information regarding call forwarding and other features. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific business needs and the services available in your area.

For other troubleshooting concerns, like not having a dial tone, visit the AT&T website.

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