← BlogJuly 2026 • 5 min read

How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Verizon (2026)

MMI codes, My Verizon app method, troubleshooting, and how to connect your Katch AI number in 60 seconds.

Quick Answer

Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit forwarding number and press call (busy forwarding). Or use My Verizon app → Account → Controls → Call Forwarding. To cancel: *73.

Verizon Call Forwarding Codes

Type
Code
When to Use
Forward when busy
*71 [10-digit number]
Recommended for Katch
Forward all calls
*72 [10-digit number]
Use with caution
Cancel forwarding
*73
Cancels all forwarding
Check status
Call 611
Ask Verizon support

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. 1

    Sign up for Katch and get your forwarding number

    Join the waitlist, download Katch, sign up with your Verizon number. You'll receive a unique Katch AI number to forward to.

  2. 2

    Open your phone dialer

  3. 3

    Dial the forwarding code and press call

    *71 [10-digit number]

    Press the green call button. Wait for confirmation.

  4. 4

    Test it

    Have someone call your number while you're on another call. Katch should answer and send you a summary.

Method 2: My Verizon App

  1. 1. Open the My Verizon app
  2. 2. Tap Account at the bottom
  3. 3. Tap your phone line
  4. 4. Tap Controls
  5. 5. Tap Call Forwarding
  6. 6. Enter your Katch number and toggle on

Troubleshooting

*71 not working on prepaid

Some Verizon prepaid plans restrict call forwarding via MMI codes. Use the My Verizon app or call 611 for activation.

Verizon Call Filter blocking Katch

Open Call Filter → Allow List → add your Katch number to prevent spam filters from intercepting forwarded calls.

Calls still ringing through

Verizon busy forwarding (*71) triggers only when you're on an active call. Set *72 (all calls) to test, then switch back to *71.

Cancel not working

Dial *73 and press call. Wait 5 seconds for the 'forwarding cancelled' tone.

How to Cancel Verizon Call Forwarding

Cancel all forwarding:

*73

Before You Start

What you need
Details
Verizon plan type
Postpaid is required for MMI codes on all plans. On prepaid, check the My Verizon app first because some lines allow forwarding there even when dial codes fail.
Device
Any Android phone or iPhone works. You only need the built-in Phone app or the carrier settings page on your device.
Katch number
Get your Katch forwarding number from the Katch app before you dial anything. Copy the 10-digit number exactly as shown.

Does setup differ on iPhone vs Android?

iPhone

If you want a quick all-calls test, iPhone has a built-in path under SettingsPhoneCall Forwarding. Turn it on, enter your Katch number, then back out and give it a few seconds to save to Verizon. This route is useful when you want every incoming call to go to Katch right away, such as during a meeting, vacation day, or while checking that your Katch number is active. Keep in mind that the iPhone settings screen only handles unconditional forwarding. If you want calls to go to Katch only when you are busy or when you do not answer, use Verizon MMI codes from the dialer instead so you can keep normal ringing behavior.

Android

Android steps vary a bit by phone maker, but Samsung and Pixel users usually open the Phone app, tap More, then go to SettingsSupplementary servicesCall Forwarding. From there you may see separate entries for always forward, when busy, when unanswered, or when unreachable. If your menu is missing those items, do not assume the feature is unavailable. Many Verizon Android devices hide the menu and still accept MMI codes from the dialer. In practice, the dial-code route is often faster because it writes straight to the carrier setting and avoids menu differences between One UI, Pixel UI, and older Verizon firmware.

How to Test Verizon Call Forwarding Is Working

  1. 1.Call your Verizon number from a second phone so you can hear what happens on the caller side.
  2. 2.Let the Verizon line ring unanswered for at least 4 rings. Do not decline the call and do not answer it from another device.
  3. 3.The second phone should hear Katch AI answer within about 8 seconds and start handling the call instead of Verizon voicemail.
  4. 4.You should receive a text summary from Katch within about 30 seconds after the test call ends.

If the second phone goes to Verizon voicemail instead of Katch, forwarding did not save. Cancel with *73, wait a few seconds, and retry the setup.

When to Use Each Forwarding Type

Forwarding type
Verizon setup
Best use with Katch
Busy
*71 [10-digit number]
Use when you want Katch to catch callers while you are already on another call and cannot pick up.
No-Answer
*71 [10-digit number]
Use when you want a few rings first, then Katch if you miss the call. On Verizon, this is usually bundled with busy forwarding.
All Calls
*72 [10-digit number]
Use for travel, deep-focus blocks, or a quick setup test when you want every call to go to Katch right away.
Unreachable
Carrier or device menu
Useful if your phone is off, out of battery, or has no signal, but availability depends on the device menu and line settings.

Best practice for Katch on Verizon: set both busy and no-answer to the same Katch number so callers reach Katch whether you are tied up or simply miss the call.

Verizon-Specific Gotchas

*71 on Verizon covers busy and no-answer together

This catches people off guard if they have used AT&T before. Verizon often treats *71 as a combined busy and no-answer trigger, so one setup can cover both cases. That is why many Verizon users do not see separate short codes for each condition even though other carriers do.

Call Filter may flag your Katch number

If Verizon Call Filter labels the Katch forwarding number as unknown or risky, forwarded calls may not land where you expect. Open the Call Filter app, add the Katch number to your allow list or contacts, and run the second-phone test again after saving.

LTE can be easier than 5G Ultra Wideband for code registration

On some Verizon phones connected to 5G Ultra Wideband mmWave, MMI codes may fail to register on the first try. If that happens, switch to SettingsNetwork mode and force LTE, submit the code again, wait for the confirmation tone, then switch back to your usual network mode.

Verified with Verizon support documentation, June 2026. Codes confirmed working on Verizon postpaid (all plans) and select prepaid.

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Also see: US call forwarding guideBest visual voicemail appsKatch for US real estate agentsAT&T call forwarding setup

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit forwarding number and press call (busy forwarding). Or use My Verizon app → Account → Controls → Call Forwarding. To cancel: *73.
*71 [10-digit number] to forward when busy. *72 [10-digit number] to forward all calls. *73 to cancel all forwarding.
Dial *73 and press call. This cancels all active call forwarding on Verizon.
Yes. Sign up for Katch, get your forwarding number, then dial *71 [Katch number] on your Verizon phone.
Call forwarding is included on all Verizon postpaid plans. Some prepaid plans may restrict this feature — use the My Verizon app if MMI codes fail.

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