How to Set Up Call Diversion (Call Forwarding) on Your Mobile
Overview
Call Diversion (also known as Call Forwarding) allows you to redirect incoming mobile calls to another New Zealand phone number or directly to your voicemail. This is helpful if you are traveling, out of mobile coverage, or using a temporary number.
Method 1: Using Your Smartphone Settings (Recommended)
The easiest and safest way to manage call diversion is through your phone’s built-in visual menus. This avoids having to type complex technical codes.
For Apple iPhone (iOS)
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Apps, then select Phone.
- Tap Call Forwarding and switch the toggle On.
- Tap Forward To and enter the full phone number you want your calls redirected to.
- Tap the back button to save. A small telephone icon with an arrow will appear in your Control Centre status bar to show it is active.
For Android Devices (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.)
Note: Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device brand.
- Open the native Phone app (the dialler screen).
- Tap the Three Dots (Menu) icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
- Tap Supplementary Services (or Calling Accounts > Advanced Settings).
- Select Call Forwarding and choose Voice Calls.
- Choose from one of the four options:
- Always Forward (All incoming calls)
- Forward when busy (When you are on another call)
- Forward when unanswered (When you don’t pick up)
- Forward when unreachable (When your phone is turned off or has no signal)
- Enter the destination number and tap Turn On or Update.
Method 2: Using Keypad Shortcut Codes (Fallback Option)
If you are using a standard feature phone, or if your smartphone settings menu is unavailable, you can enter standard GSM “MMI codes” directly into your phone’s keypad.
To use these, open your phone’s Phone/Dialler app, type the code exactly as shown, and press the Call/Send button. A system pop-up message will appear on your screen confirming the change.
Busy on another call:
- Divert to another number:
- * 67 * [number to divert calls to] * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Divert to voicemail:
- * 67 * 083200000 * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Check the diversion set-up:
- * # 67 * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Turn diversion off:
- # 67 * 11 # CALL/SEND
Divert calls straight away:
- Divert to another number
- * 21 *[Number to divert calls to] * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Divert to Voice Mail
- * 21 * 083200000 * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Check the diversion set-up
- * # 21 * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Turn diversion off
- # 21 ** 11 # CALL/SEND
When there’s no answer:
- Divert to another number:
- * 61 * [number to divert calls to] * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Divert to voicemail:
- * 61 * 083200000 * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Change the length of time before diverting to either of the above scenarios (Note: this is not available for Apple iPhones):
- Add *[length of time you wish to change to] before # CALL/SEND
For example, to change to 25 seconds: * 61 * [number to divert calls to] * 11 * 25 # CALL/SEND
Note: You can change this to any length in 5-second increments up to 25 seconds. - Check the diversion settings:
- * # 61 * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Turn diversion off:
- # 61 ** 11 # CALL/SEND
When a phone is off:
- Divert to another number:
- * 62 * [number to divert calls to] * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Divert to voicemail:
- * 62 * 083200000 * 11 # CALL/SEND
- Check the diversion set up:
- * # 62 * 11# CALL/SEND
- Turn diversion off:
- # 62 * 11 # CALL/SEND