How to Transfer Phone Calls to Another Number

You may not always be available on the same phone, but that does not mean you should miss important calls.

Maybe you are travelling, using a second number, working from another location, or simply want someone else to handle your incoming calls. In such cases, you can send calls from your current number to another phone number.

But there is one important difference to understand first.

If you want incoming calls to automatically go to another number, you need call forwarding. If you have already answered the call and want to connect that caller to another person or department, you need call transfer.

In this guide, you will learn how to transfer phone calls to another number using iPhone, Android, and major Indian networks such as Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL, along with how live call transfer works for businesses.

Call Forwarding vs Call Transfer: Which One Do You Need?

Call forwarding and call transfer may sound similar, but they are used at different stages of a call.

Feature	When It Happens	Example
Call Forwarding	Before you answer the call	Calls to your primary number automatically go to another mobile
Call Transfer	After you answer the call	A sales agent transfers a connected customer to support

If you want incoming calls to automatically reach another number, you need call forwarding.

If the caller is already connected and you want to send that conversation to another person or department, you need call transfer.

How to Forward Phone Calls to Another Number

Most smartphones and telecom networks provide call forwarding settings.

Generally, you need to:

1. Open your phone’s calling settings.
2. Find Call Forwarding, Call Divert or Supplementary Services.
3. Choose when calls should be forwarded.
4. Enter the number where the calls should go.
5. Enable the setting.

Depending on your network, you may see options such as:

Forwarding Option	What It Does
Always Forward	Sends every incoming call to another number
When Busy	Forwards calls when you are already on another call
When Unanswered	Forwards calls if you do not answer
When Unreachable	Forwards calls when your phone cannot be reached

These options can vary depending on your phone and telecom operator.

How to Transfer Calls to Another Number on iPhone

Apple provides a built-in call forwarding option on supported cellular networks.

On current versions of iOS:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Select Phone.
4. Tap Call Forwarding.
5. Turn Call Forwarding on.
6. If you use Dual SIM, choose the required line.
7. Tap Forward To.
8. Enter the number where you want your calls redirected.

Apple says you must be within cellular network range while setting up forwarding. It also notes that conditional forwarding, such as forwarding calls when your line is busy or unavailable, depends on your carrier.

Official guide: Apple Support: Set up call forwarding on iPhone

To stop call forwarding, return to the same setting and switch Call Forwarding off.

How to Transfer Calls to Another Number on Android

Android phones also support call forwarding, but the exact menu can differ between Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Pixel and other devices.

In most cases:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Open Settings or Call Settings.
3. Look for Calling Accounts, Supplementary Services or Call Forwarding.
4. Select your SIM if required.
5. Choose the forwarding condition.
6. Enter the destination number.
7. Enable call forwarding.

For example, Vi’s current official instructions direct Android users through the Phone app and call settings to the call-forwarding options.

Because Android menus vary, it is better to search for Call Forwarding in your phone settings if the exact route above is not available.

How to Transfer Calls to Another Number on Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL

The method can also depend on your telecom operator, so it is better to follow the latest official guidance for your network.

How to Forward Calls on Jio

Jio allows call forwarding through handset settings as well as the MyJio app.

In MyJio:

Profile → Mobile Settings → Service Settings → Call Forwarding

Then:

1. Select Voice or Video.
2. Choose the forwarding type.
3. Complete SIM verification.
4. Enter the 10-digit destination number.
5. Tap Continue.

Jio states that the call-forwarding service itself is free, but you need an active plan. Jio currently says forwarding can be done to mobile and landline numbers except BSNL numbers, your own Jio number and international numbers.

Official guide: Jio: How to activate call forwarding

How to Forward Calls on Airtel

Airtel also supports call forwarding and provides instructions for both phone-based and Airtel app-based setup.

Inside the Airtel app, users can go to the call settings area, find the call-forwarding option, choose the forwarding condition and enter the destination number.

Airtel lists forwarding options for all calls as well as busy, unanswered and unreachable conditions.

Official guide: Airtel: Activate and deactivate call forwarding

After setting it up, make a test call from another number to confirm that calls are reaching the correct destination.

How to Forward Calls on Vi

Vi provides call forwarding for different situations, including:

• All incoming calls
• When your line is busy
• When you do not answer
• When your phone is unreachable

Vi’s official Android guidance takes users through the Phone app into the calling-account and call-forwarding settings. Vi also publishes network-specific activation and deactivation information.

Official guide: Vi: Activate and deactivate call forwarding

Because network support can change, follow the latest instructions shown on Vi’s official website or your handset settings.

How to Forward Calls on BSNL

BSNL’s official tariff documentation confirms that call forwarding is available for GSM prepaid mobile services to landlines, BSNL mobile numbers and mobile numbers of other operators.

BSNL states that there is no separate activation fee for the forwarding facility. However, the forwarded part of the call is treated as an outgoing call and is charged according to the applicable plan or available voice benefits.

Official BSNL document: BSNL Chennai: Mobile tariff and call-forwarding information

BSNL services and setup methods may differ by circle, so users should confirm the latest instructions for their specific connection.

What About Call Forwarding Codes in India?

You may find websites telling you to use dial codes to activate call forwarding.

However, these instructions should be used carefully.

On 28 March 2024, India’s Department of Telecommunications directed telecom licensees to discontinue existing USSD-based call-forwarding services from 15 April 2024 until further notice because the feature was being misused in fraudulent activities.

The DoT order specifically referred to misuse involving *401# unconditional call forwarding and instructed telecom operators to move affected users to alternative activation methods.

Official DoT order: Department of Telecommunications: USSD-based call-forwarding order

Some telecom operators still publish certain network-specific forwarding codes on their official websites. Because operator support and activation methods can change, the safer option is to use your phone settings, official operator app or the latest instructions from your telecom provider.

How to Transfer a Call After You Have Already Answered It

Call forwarding works before a call is answered.

If you are already speaking with the caller and need to connect them to another person, you need call transfer.

For example:

Customer → Sales Agent → Call Transfer → Support Agent

A blind transfer sends the caller directly to another person or department.

A warm transfer allows the first agent to speak with the receiving agent before connecting the customer.

This is especially useful when the next person needs some context about why the customer is calling.

How CallerDesk Helps Businesses Transfer Calls

Basic call forwarding works well when calls simply need to move from one phone number to another.

Businesses often need more flexibility because a customer may need to move between sales, support, billing or another department during the same conversation.

CallerDesk supports in-call transfer, allowing an active call to be moved to another destination.

Its official feature documentation includes:

• In-call transfer
• Member extension-based transfer
• Call-group extension-based transfer
• Web-based call transfer

This allows businesses to create a more organised call flow such as:

Customer → Business Number → IVR → Agent → Required Agent or Department

Instead of asking the customer to disconnect and dial another number, the active call can be moved to the right person.

Conclusion

If you want incoming calls from your number to automatically reach another phone, use call forwarding. The exact setup varies between iPhone, Android and operators such as Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL, so follow the latest official instructions for your device and network.

If the call has already been answered and needs to move to another person or department, use call transfer instead.

For personal use, standard call forwarding may be enough. For businesses handling calls across multiple agents or departments, CallerDesk provides IVR, call routing and in-call transfer options that make it easier to connect customers with the right team.