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Troubleshooting: Call Forwarding Issues

Nikita Podelenko avatar
Written by Nikita Podelenko
Updated over a week ago

Troubleshooting: Call Forwarding Issues

This comprehensive guide covers all common issues with call forwarding setup for SkipCalls. Select your problem below to find the solution.

Important: Finding Your SkipCalls Number

Before setting up call forwarding, you need your SkipCalls forwarding number:

  1. Open the SkipCalls app

  2. Go to Settings (bottom right tab)

  3. Your SkipCalls number is displayed at the top of the settings screen

  4. Copy this number - you'll use it in the forwarding codes below

Example: If your SkipCalls number is +1-604-555-0123, you'll dial it as 6045550123 (remove +1 and dashes).

Problem 1: Test Call Not Coming Through

Symptoms: After setting up call forwarding, the SkipCalls test call never arrives.

Solution Steps

  1. Check your internet connection - SkipCalls needs a stable internet connection to receive calls. Make sure you're connected to WiFi or have good cellular data.

  2. Wait a few minutes - Sometimes carriers take 2-5 minutes to activate call forwarding. Be patient and try again.

  3. Check Do Not Disturb:

    • iPhone: Make sure Do Not Disturb is OFF in Settings

    • Android: Disable Do Not Disturb and all Focus modes

  4. Check app permissions - Ensure SkipCalls has notification permissions enabled

  5. Restart your phone - Sometimes a simple restart helps activate the forwarding

If the problem persists after trying all these steps, contact SkipCalls support through the app (Settings → Support → Ask the SkipCalls team).

Problem 2: Calls Still Going to Carrier Voicemail

Symptoms: Test call worked, but real calls from other people still go to your carrier's voicemail instead of SkipCalls.

Solution for iPhone Users: Disable Live Voicemail

iOS has a "Live Voicemail" feature that intercepts calls BEFORE they can be forwarded to SkipCalls. You must disable it:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone

  2. Use the search bar at the top and search for "Voicemail"

  3. Find the Live Voicemail toggle

  4. Turn it OFF

Important: This is the #1 reason why iPhone users experience forwarding issues. Always disable Live Voicemail after setting up SkipCalls.

Solution for Android Users: Disable Carrier Voicemail

  1. Open the Phone app

  2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) and select Settings

  3. Look for Call settings or Voicemail section

  4. Find voicemail settings and disable it, or change the voicemail number to something invalid

  5. Note: Some carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) require you to call their support to completely disable voicemail

Problem 3: Declined Calls Go to Voicemail (But Missed Calls Work)

Symptoms: When you let a call ring (don't answer), it correctly goes to SkipCalls. But when you press the red "Decline" button, it goes to your carrier's voicemail.

Why This Happens

When you decline a call, your carrier treats it as "busy" instead of "no answer". If you only set up forwarding for unanswered calls, declined calls won't forward to SkipCalls.

Solution: Set Up Conditional Call Forwarding

You need to forward calls in ALL these scenarios:

  • When busy (when you decline a call)

  • When no answer (when you miss a call)

  • When unreachable (phone is off or no signal)

Forwarding Codes by Scenario

Replace the example number below with YOUR SkipCalls number from Settings.

Scenario

Code Format

Example (replace with your number)

All calls

*21*NUMBER# or *72NUMBER

*21*6045550123#

When busy

*67*NUMBER# or *90NUMBER

*67*6045550123#

When no answer

*61*NUMBER# or *92NUMBER

*61*6045550123#

When unreachable

*62*NUMBER# or *94NUMBER

*62*6045550123#

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. Get your SkipCalls number from Settings (see the box at the top of this article)

  2. Remove the +1, spaces, and dashes from the number (e.g., +1-604-555-0123 becomes 6045550123)

  3. Open your phone's dialer

  4. Dial the code for each scenario, replacing the example number with yours

  5. Press the green call button

  6. Wait for confirmation message from your carrier

  7. Repeat for all scenarios you want to cover

Alternative: Forward All Calls

If conditional forwarding is too complicated or doesn't work with your carrier, you can use unconditional forwarding (forward ALL calls):

  • Get your SkipCalls number from Settings

  • Format it without +1 and dashes (e.g., 6045550123)

  • Dial: *21*6045550123# (replace with your number)

  • Press call

Note: With this option, your phone won't ring at all - all calls go directly to SkipCalls.

Important: Different carriers use different codes. The codes above are the most common ones. If they don't work, check your carrier's website or contact their support for the correct call forwarding codes.

Special Instructions for TELUS (Canada)

If you're a TELUS customer and declined calls go to voicemail:

TELUS requires a special code that handles both declined AND unanswered calls at once:

TELUS Variable Call Forward Code

Format: *004*YOUR-NUMBER*SECONDS#

Example: If your SkipCalls number is 604-555-0123 and you want 20 seconds ring time:

  • Dial: *004*6045550123*20#

  • Press call

Ring Time Options

  • 10 seconds: *004*6045550123*10#

  • 20 seconds: *004*6045550123*20# (recommended)

  • 30 seconds: *004*6045550123*30#

How It Works

  • When someone calls, your phone rings for the chosen time (10, 20, or 30 seconds)

  • If you don't answer (let it ring): Goes to SkipCalls after the ring time

  • If you decline (press red button): Goes to SkipCalls immediately

TELUS users: This single code replaces multiple conditional forwarding codes. You don't need to dial separate codes for "busy" and "no answer" - this one does both!

To cancel: Dial #21#

Official TELUS guide: Call Forward Mobile

Problem 4: Nothing Happens When Dialing Forwarding Code

Symptoms: You dial a forwarding code, but nothing happens - no confirmation message, no error.

Solution: Try Alternative Codes for Your Carrier

Different carriers use different codes. Here are the most common alternatives:

For Unconditional Forwarding (All Calls)

Replace 6045550123 with your SkipCalls number:

  • *21*6045550123# (GSM standard - most common)

  • *726045550123 (North American carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile)

For Conditional Forwarding

Condition

GSM Code

North American Code

When busy

*67*6045550123#

*906045550123

No answer

*61*6045550123#

*926045550123

Unreachable

*62*6045550123#

*946045550123

Remember: Replace 6045550123 with YOUR actual SkipCalls number from Settings!

What to Do If None Work

  1. Open the SkipCalls app and go through the setup again (Settings → Troubleshooting → Setup Again)

  2. Visit your carrier's website and search for "call forwarding codes"

  3. Contact your carrier's support: "I need the dial codes for call forwarding"

  4. Some carriers (like Google Fi, Mint Mobile) may require you to enable call forwarding through their app or website first

Problem 5: All My Calls Are Being Redirected

Symptoms: Your phone doesn't ring at all - ALL calls go straight to SkipCalls.

Why This Happens

You've set up unconditional call forwarding (forward all calls) instead of conditional forwarding (forward only missed/declined calls).

Solution: Change to Conditional Forwarding

You have two options:

Option 1: Keep It Simple (Recommended for Most Users)

If you're happy with SkipCalls handling all calls, you don't need to change anything! This is actually the simplest and most reliable setup.

Option 2: Let Your Phone Ring First

  1. Cancel unconditional forwarding first (see "How to Disable Call Forwarding" section below)

  2. Set up conditional forwarding instead using the codes from Problem 3 above

  3. Your phone will now ring first, and calls only forward to SkipCalls if you don't answer or decline

How to Disable Call Forwarding Completely

If you want to stop using SkipCalls or temporarily disable call forwarding:

Cancellation Codes

Type of Forwarding

GSM Code

North American Code

Cancel all forwarding

##21# or #21#

*73

Cancel busy forwarding

##67# or #67#

*91

Cancel no-answer forwarding

##61# or #61#

*93

Cancel unreachable forwarding

##62# or #62#

*95

Steps to Cancel

  1. Open your phone's dialer

  2. Dial the cancellation code for the type of forwarding you want to disable

  3. Press the green call button

  4. Wait for confirmation from your carrier

Easiest way: Dial ##21# (or *73) to cancel ALL call forwarding at once.

For TELUS: Dial #21# to cancel variable call forward.

Carrier-Specific Notes

Common Carriers

  • AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile (USA): Use *72 for forwarding, *73 to cancel. Conditional codes: *90, *92, *94

  • Vodafone, EE, Three, O2 (UK): Use GSM codes (*21*, *67*, etc.)

  • Rogers, Bell (Canada): Use *72 for unconditional. Check carrier website for conditional codes

  • TELUS (Canada): Use *004*NUMBER*SECONDS# for variable forwarding (see special section above)

  • Google Fi, Mint Mobile: May require enabling call forwarding through their app first

  • MVNOs (like Visible, Cricket): Use the same codes as their parent carrier

Pro Tip: Always check your carrier's website or contact their support if the standard codes don't work. Search for "call forwarding codes" + your carrier name.

Still Having Issues?

If you've tried everything above and still experiencing problems:

  1. Open the SkipCalls app

  2. Go to Settings → Support

  3. Tap Troubleshooting for step-by-step guides with your carrier's specific codes

  4. Or tap "Ask the SkipCalls team" to contact support

When contacting support, please include:

  • Your carrier name

  • Which codes you tried

  • Whether you got any confirmation messages

  • Whether you're on iOS or Android

Our team will help you get set up correctly!

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