Call Forwarding Not Working

If call forwarding isn't working, don't worry - this is usually fixable. Here are the most common problems and solutions.

Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Restart Your Phone

Sometimes a simple restart activates forwarding that didn't take effect.

2. Re-Dial the Forwarding Code

  1. Open Gini Help
  2. Go to Settings > Call Protection
  3. Dial the enable code again
  4. Listen for a confirmation beep

3. Wait a Few Minutes

Some carriers take time to activate forwarding. Wait 5 minutes and test again.

Common Problems and Solutions

"The code doesn't work" or "Error" message

Possible causes:

  • Wrong carrier selected
  • Typo in the code
  • Carrier doesn't support this code format

Solutions:

  1. Double-check you selected the right carrier
  2. Make sure you copied the entire code including * and #
  3. Try the code again, entering it manually instead of copy/paste
  4. Contact your carrier to enable call forwarding on their end

"Setting not activated" or no confirmation

Possible causes:

  • Call forwarding not enabled on your account
  • Carrier restrictions

Solutions:

  1. Call your carrier's customer service
  2. Ask them to "enable call forwarding" on your account
  3. Some carriers charge extra for this feature
  4. Try again after they confirm it's enabled

Forwarding works sometimes but not always

Possible causes:

  • Only some forwarding conditions are set up
  • Wi-Fi calling interference
  • Visual voicemail catching calls first

Solutions:

  1. Set up all forwarding conditions (Busy, Unanswered, Unreachable)
  2. Try disabling Wi-Fi calling temporarily
  3. Disable visual voicemail

iPhone: Calls go to Live Voicemail instead

Cause: iOS Live Voicemail intercepts calls before forwarding.

Solution:

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap Voicemail at the bottom
  3. Turn OFF Live Voicemail
  4. Test call forwarding again

Calls go to carrier voicemail instead

Causes:

  • Forwarding not active
  • Carrier voicemail taking priority

Solutions:

  1. Verify forwarding is active (dial *#21# on AT&T/T-Mobile)
  2. Disable carrier voicemail through your carrier's app or customer service
  3. Re-dial the forwarding codes

Forwarding stopped working after it was working

Causes:

  • Carrier reset your settings
  • Phone update changed settings
  • Forwarding expired (some carriers)

Solutions:

  1. Simply re-dial the forwarding codes
  2. Check if your carrier has a time limit on forwarding
  3. Contact carrier if this keeps happening

Carrier-Specific Issues

AT&T

  • Call forwarding should work with standard GSM codes
  • If codes fail, call AT&T at 611 to enable forwarding
  • Check that you don't have "AT&T Call Protect" blocking the feature

T-Mobile

  • Standard GSM codes usually work
  • Try both *21* and **21* formats
  • T-Mobile Scam Shield may need adjustment

Verizon

  • Uses different codes (*72 instead of *21)
  • Call forwarding may need to be enabled via My Verizon app
  • Contact 611 if codes don't work

Smaller Carriers

  • Make sure you know which network they use (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon)
  • Use the codes for that network
  • Some MVNOs have restrictions on call forwarding

How to Verify Forwarding Status

On AT&T or T-Mobile

Dial *#21# and tap Call. You'll see:

  • "Voice Call Forwarding Enabled" if it's working
  • The number calls are forwarded to
  • Or "Disabled" if it's not active

On Verizon

Check in the My Verizon app, or contact Verizon customer service.

Disabling Everything and Starting Over

If nothing works, try a complete reset:

Step 1: Disable All Forwarding

  • AT&T/T-Mobile: Dial ##002#
  • Verizon: Dial *73

Step 2: Wait

Give it 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Set Up Fresh

Go through the Gini setup again from Settings > Call Protection.

When to Contact Your Carrier

Contact your phone carrier if:

  • You've tried all the codes and none work
  • You get error messages when dialing codes
  • Your carrier has specific call forwarding restrictions
  • You need them to enable the feature on your account

Ask them:

"I need to enable call forwarding to this number: 1-414-985-4464. Can you make sure call forwarding is enabled on my account?"

When to Contact Gini Support

Contact us if:

  • Your carrier confirmed forwarding is enabled but it still doesn't work
  • You've tried all troubleshooting steps
  • You have an unusual carrier or setup

We're happy to help figure out what's going on.

Questions?

See also:

  • Setting Up Call Forwarding (All Carriers)
  • iPhone-Specific Call Forwarding Tips
  • Android-Specific Call Forwarding Tips