Verizon call forwarding failures usually come from one of three causes: incorrect dial code format (*71, not *61*), an active *73 cancellation overriding settings, or a Wi-Fi Calling conflict. Here are 8 fixes in order of likelihood.
Quick Answer
Most Verizon call forwarding failures are fixed by: (1) using the right code — *71XXXXXXXXXX (10 digits, no +1, no spaces), (2) canceling with *73 then re-enabling, (3) disabling Wi-Fi Calling temporarily in Settings.
Verizon uses *71, not **61*
Verizon's no-answer forwarding code is *71 — not the *61* format used by AT&T and T-Mobile. Format: *71XXXXXXXXXX (10 digits, no +1, no spaces, no dashes).
Clear stuck forwarding state
Dial *73 to cancel all Verizon forwarding. Wait 10 seconds. Then re-dial *71[10-digit number].
Wi-Fi Calling can block *71 on some Verizon handsets
Go to Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling → Off. Re-enable call forwarding with *71. Test. Then re-enable Wi-Fi Calling.
Bypasses USSD entirely
Open My Verizon → Account → Add/change services → Call Forwarding → enter number → Save. This uses Verizon's network backend directly.
Some Verizon prepaid plans exclude it
Check: My Verizon app → Plan details → Features. Postpaid plans all support it. Prepaid varies — upgrade to postpaid to enable.
Verizon sometimes needs re-registration
After dialling *71, power your phone off and on. Then test by calling from a second phone.
Call barring can block forwarding from completing
Check: My Verizon → Account settings → Call restrictions. Disable any active call barring rules.
Ask them to check account-level forwarding settings
Call 1-800-922-0204. Say "call forwarding not working." Ask them to verify conditional call forwarding is enabled at the account level on your line.
1. Have a second phone call your Verizon number.
2. On your main phone, reject the call or let it ring unanswered past 4 rings.
3. The second phone should connect to Katch's AI within 5–8 seconds.
4. You should receive a text summary from Katch within 30 seconds of the call ending.
Katch uses Verizon's no-answer conditional forwarding (*71). You forward your missed calls to your Katch number — Katch's AI answers, asks the caller their name and reason for calling, and texts you an instant summary.
Full Verizon setup guide: US carrier call forwarding guide.
For role-specific setups, see Katch for small businesses on Verizon and Katch for real estate agents on Verizon.
Also see: AT&T call forwarding not working • T-Mobile call forwarding not working
Note: Verizon uses *71 as one combined conditional forwarding code for both busy and no-answer calls. AT&T and T-Mobile split those actions into separate codes, so Verizon's setup looks shorter if you are switching carriers.
Conditional call forwarding on Verizon means your calls only move to another number when a condition is met. That condition is usually one of three things: you are already on another call, you let the call ring without answering, or your phone cannot be reached because it is off or out of service. If none of those things happens, the call stays on your main Verizon number and rings you as normal.
This is why conditional forwarding is different from forwarding all calls. With unconditional forwarding, every call skips your phone and goes straight to the other number. With Verizon's conditional setup, your phone still gets the first chance to ring. That makes it a better fit for missed-call coverage, because callers still reach you live if you pick up in time.
Verizon bundles the busy and no-answer cases into one short code: *71[number]. That is the setup Katch depends on. Your normal Verizon line keeps working, but if you miss the call, Katch receives the overflow and answers it for you. Verizon refers to this as "Forward When Busy" in the My Verizon app but *71 also covers when unanswered. In practice, that means you do not need separate busy and no-answer setup steps on Verizon the way you often do on other carriers.
Software update reset
Carrier settings and phone updates can reset forwarding in the background. If the problem starts right after a major iPhone or Android update, dial *71[number] again and run one test call.
Plan change or upgrade
Changing Verizon plans can refresh supplementary calling services on the line. If you switched plans, added features, or upgraded your account, re-enable forwarding after the change is finished.
SIM swap or new device
Forwarding is tied to the active SIM or eSIM profile. After moving your number to a new phone, activating a new SIM, or converting to eSIM, dial *71[number] again before assuming the old setup carried over.
If you used AT&T or T-Mobile before, this is the mistake that trips people up most often: Verizon does not need +1 before the number and does not need a trailing #. Just dial the star code followed by the 10-digit number.
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Verizon uses *71[10-digit number] for no-answer forwarding (recommended for Katch). For unconditional forwarding (all calls): *72[number]. To cancel: *73. Do not include country code, +1, or spaces — just 10 digits directly after *71.
Verizon call forwarding can self-cancel if someone dials *73 on your phone, if your plan has a forwarding timeout (rare on postpaid), or if a software update resets calling features. Re-enable with *71[number] and test again.
Verizon postpaid plans include call forwarding at no extra charge. Calls forwarded to a Katch number (a regular US phone number) use your standard voice plan minutes.
Intermittent Verizon call forwarding is usually caused by Wi-Fi Calling conflicts or handoff between LTE and 5G. Fix: disable Wi-Fi Calling in Settings, re-enable forwarding with *71, and test on LTE.
Some Verizon prepaid plans support call forwarding; others do not. Check My Verizon app under Plan Details → Features. If call forwarding is not listed, upgrading to a postpaid plan enables it.