How to Set Up Call Forwarding and a Voicemail Greeting on iPhone and Android in the US

Call forwarding sends incoming calls to another number when you cannot pick up, and a good voicemail greeting tells callers they reached the right person. Together, they cover the two most common phone frustrations: a call that rings out, and a caller who hangs up because the greeting sounds wrong or out of date.

The exact menus differ by phone and carrier in the US, so this guide covers the standard iPhone and Android paths, plus the carrier codes that work on many networks. Have a second number ready if you want calls forwarded, such as a work phone or a family member, and think of a short greeting before you start recording.

Step 1: Turn on call forwarding on iPhone

On iPhone, open Settings, then tap Phone, then Call Forwarding. Turn the switch on, then tap Forward To and enter the number you want calls sent to. Tap the back arrow to save. You should see a small forwarding icon in the status bar when the feature is active.

In most recent versions, this setting works through your carrier, so the phone may take a few seconds to confirm the change. If the switch turns itself back off, or you see an error, your plan may not include forwarding, or your carrier may require you to set it up through its app or customer service instead. Try again with a strong signal, and check with your carrier if it keeps failing.

To turn forwarding off later, return to the same screen and switch it off. Test the change by calling your number from another phone, so you know calls are actually landing where you expect.

Step 2: Turn on call forwarding on Android

On most Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the three dots or menu icon, then Settings, then Calls or Supplementary Services, then Call Forwarding. You will usually see four options: Always Forward, Forward When Busy, Forward When Unanswered, and Forward When Unreachable. Choose the option that fits your need. Always Forward sends every call at once, while Forward When Unanswered only kicks in if you do not pick up after several rings.

Enter the forwarding number for the option you chose, then tap Turn On or Enable. On Samsung phones, the path is similar: Phone app, then the menu, then Settings, then Supplementary Services, then Call Forwarding. On Google Pixel phones, look under Phone app settings, then Calls, then Call Forwarding.

Some US carriers also support short codes dialed straight from the Phone app. On many GSM carriers, dialing *21* followed by the number and # turns on unconditional forwarding, and ##21# turns it off. On other carriers, the codes differ, so check your carrier support page before relying on a code.

Step 3: Record a voicemail greeting on iPhone

On iPhone, open the Phone app and tap Voicemail at the bottom right. Tap Greeting in the top left, then choose Custom. Tap Record and speak your greeting clearly, then tap Stop and Play to listen back. If you are happy with it, tap Save.

A good greeting is short and specific. Say your name, confirm the caller reached the right number, and say when you will call back. For example: "Hi, you have reached Alex. I cannot take your call right now, but please leave your name, number, and a short message, and I will call you back today." Avoid including personal details you would not want a stranger to hear, such as your address, your schedule, or that you are away from home.

Step 4: Record a voicemail greeting on Android

On Android, voicemail is usually handled by your carrier or by Google Voice, so the exact steps depend on your phone. Start with the Phone app, then tap Voicemail if your phone shows that tab. If you see a greeting option, tap it, choose Custom, record, and save, much like on iPhone.

On many Android phones, you need to call your own voicemail instead. Open the Phone app, press and hold 1 to call voicemail, enter your PIN if asked, then follow the voice prompts for personal options and greeting settings. If your carrier uses its own voicemail app, such as a carrier visual voicemail app, open that app and look for Greeting or Voicemail Settings. If none of these paths show a greeting option, search your carrier support site for "change voicemail greeting" plus your carrier name, because the menu can sit in a different place for each network.

Step 5: Test everything with a real call

Do not trust the settings screen alone. Ask a friend to call you, or call your own number from another phone, and check three things. First, does forwarding send the call to the right number? Second, does your new greeting play when the call goes to voicemail? Third, can the caller actually leave a message, and do you get a notification for it?

If forwarding works but voicemail does not, check that your mailbox is set up and not full. Old messages can fill a mailbox, and some carriers block new messages until you delete a few. If the greeting sounds clipped or too quiet, re-record it in a quiet room, holding the phone at a normal speaking distance, and speak a little slower than feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does call forwarding cost extra in the US?

It depends on your plan. Many US carriers include basic forwarding at no extra charge, but forwarded calls may still count against your minutes or be billed as a call to the forwarding number on some plans. Check your carrier plan details before forwarding to a number outside your usual calling area.

Why can I not find the call forwarding setting on my Android phone?

The menu location varies by phone maker and carrier, and some carriers hide the setting in their own app or account portal. Try the Phone app settings first, then your carrier app or support page, and use the carrier dial codes only if your carrier documents them for your plan.

Should I use the default greeting or record a custom one?

Record a custom greeting. A default system greeting only reads out your number, which can confuse callers and makes your phone look unmonitored. A short custom greeting with your name and a callback promise sounds more trustworthy and helps callers leave a useful message.