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Unconditional vs Conditional Call Forwarding

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Sindhu Bharathi

Senior Writer: Sindhu Bharathi

green tickReading Time: 7 Minutes
green tickPublished : September 10, 2023

The ability to understand, adapt, and harness the power of various tools and features becomes increasingly vital. Whether it’s managing call forwarding options, enhancing communication strategies, or safeguarding digital security, gaining clarity on these aspects can significantly impact our daily lives. Moreover, call forwarding also improves productivity as more calls get answered.

 
Need a reliable and affordable business phone system? Look no further than DialerHQ.

This article aims to provide concise and actionable insights to help navigate common questions about call forwarding, communication techniques, security practices, and more. Through this resource, you’ll find answers to important queries and gain a clearer understanding of these integral components of modern living.

What is Conditional Call Forwarding?

Conditional Call Forwarding

Conditional Call Forwarding is a feature offered by telecommunications providers that allows you to automatically redirect incoming calls to another phone number under specific conditions or scenarios.

Instead of your phone ringing when someone calls you, the call is forwarded to a different number that you have designated in advance. This can be useful in various situations. 

What is Unconditional Call Forwarding? 

Unconditional Call Forwarding

Unconditional Call Forwarding is a telecommunication feature that allows you to redirect all incoming calls to a different phone number without any conditions or restrictions. Unlike conditional call forwarding, where calls are forwarded based on specific scenarios, unconditional call forwarding redirects all calls immediately, regardless of whether your phone is busy, unanswered, or unreachable.

When you activate unconditional call forwarding, any incoming call to your original phone number will be instantly forwarded to the designated forwarding number. This feature can be convenient if you want all your calls to be received on a different phone, such as when you’re temporarily using another device or want calls to be answered by someone else.

dialerhq-expert-advice
Expert Advice

"Cultivate active listening skills, convey ideas clearly, and practice empathy to enhance both personal and professional relationships. Moreover, ensure that every interaction with your customer is recorded for future reference. Enable call forwarding to seize every opportuning so that no call goes unanswered."

Conditional Call Forwarding Vs. Unconditional Call Forwarding

There are many differences between conditional and unconditional call forwarding. Let us have a closer look at them.

FeatureConditional Call ForwardingUnconditional Call Forwarding
Activation conditionsBased on specific scenarios
  • Phone is unanswered
  • Phone is busy
  • Phone is unreachable
No specific conditions needed. All calls, regardless of status, are forwarded instantly.
Call treatmentCalls are redirected if the specified condition is metAll incoming calls are immediately forwarded, irrespective of the conditions.
FlexibilityProvides flexibility by allowing you to choose different forwarding options.Doesn't offer condition-based control; all calls are uniformly forwarded.
Manual deactivationForwarding stops when the specific condition is resolvedForwarding continues until manually deactivated by the user.
Immediate forwardingForwarding occurs after the condition is met, not immediately for all calls.Calls are forwarded instantly upon activation for every incoming call.
Common use cases
  • Managing calls when engaged in another call.
  • Handling unanswered calls during absence.
  • Handling calls when the phone is off or unreachable.
  • Temporarily using a different phone or device.
  • Diverting all calls to a different number for a specific period.

Is Conditional and Unconditional Call Forwarding Still Effective? 

Conditional Call Forwarding and Unconditional Call Forwarding remain pivotal features for managing incoming calls effectively. Conditional Call Forwarding, with its tailored approach, proves highly effective in scenarios where call redirection is contingent on specific conditions. 

When engaged in a conversation or already on a call, this feature diverts incoming calls to an alternate number, ensuring that no important communication is missed. Likewise, during periods of unavailability, such as when calls go unanswered or the phone is unreachable, the system automatically forwards calls to a predetermined number or voicemail, fostering seamless communication management.

What are the Common Uses for Conditional and Unconditional Call Forwarding? 

Call forwarding is a feature that allows incoming calls to be redirected from one phone number to another. Each type serves distinct purposes and offers various advantages in different scenarios.

Unconditional Call Forwarding

Unconditional call forwarding, as the name suggests, forwards all incoming calls to another designated number without any conditions or criteria. This feature is useful in several situations:

Uses of Unconditional Call Forwarding

1. Remote Work and Travel – Professionals who are constantly on the move or working remotely can use unconditional call forwarding to ensure they never miss important calls. By forwarding calls to their mobile phone or another reachable number, they can stay connected regardless of their location.

2. Backup Contact – Unconditional call forwarding can be employed as a backup contact method. For instance, if your primary phone line experiences technical issues or downtime, calls can be forwarded to an alternative number to ensure seamless communication.

3. After-Hours Business Calls – Businesses can utilize unconditional call forwarding to handle after-hours customer inquiries. Calls can be forwarded to a dedicated customer support team or voicemail service, ensuring that customers receive assistance even outside regular business hours.

4. Call Screening – Unconditional call forwarding can be paired with call screening services. Calls can be forwarded to a screening service where the caller’s information is verified before being redirected to the intended recipient, reducing the likelihood of spam or unsolicited calls.

Conditional Call Forwarding

Conditional call forwarding involves forwarding calls based on specific conditions or scenarios. There are three common types of conditional call forwarding.

Uses of Conditional Call Forwarding

1. Forward on Busy – Calls are forwarded to an alternative number when the recipient’s line is busy. This is helpful for individuals who frequently receive calls and want to ensure that no important calls are missed due to call congestion.

2. Forward on No Answer – If the recipient doesn’t answer the call within a set number of rings, the call is forwarded to another number. This is particularly useful when the recipient might be temporarily unavailable or unable to answer the call promptly.

3. Forward on Unreachable – In the event that the recipient’s phone is out of coverage area or turned off, this type of call forwarding automatically redirects incoming calls to a predefined backup number.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding?

Configuring call forwarding settings on your communication device is a straightforward process. This section outlines the step-by-step instructions for activating call forwarding on Android devices, iOS devices, and traditional landlines. Explore the instructions below:

1. Enabling Call Forwarding on Android Devices

Enabling Call Forwarding on Android Devices

  • Launch the ‘Phone app’ on your Android device to access calling functions.
  • Tap the three dots located at the upper right corner to reveal the menu.
  • Look for the ‘Call forwarding’ option. If it’s not immediately visible, navigate to the ‘Settings’ option.
  • Within the ‘Advanced settings’ or ‘Carrier call settings,’ you’ll find the ‘Call forwarding’ option.
  • Upon selecting ‘Call forwarding,’ you’ll be presented with choices for ‘Voice call’ and ‘Video call.’
  • Choose ‘Voice call’ and activate it to turn on call forwarding.
  • This completes the process of activating call forwarding on your Android device.

2. Activating Call Forwarding on iOS Devices

Follow these simple steps to set up call forwarding on your iOS device effortlessly.

Activating Call Forwarding on iOS Devices

  • Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iOS device.
  • Tap the ‘Phone’ option available in the settings menu.
  • Select the ‘Call Forwarding’ option under the ‘Phone’ section and toggle it to the ‘ON’ position.
  • Upon activation, you’ll be prompted to input the phone number to which you want your incoming calls forwarded.
  • Save the entered number. This will initiate the call-forwarding feature on your iOS device.

For users interested in utilizing dial codes to set up the call forwarding function, here are the iPhone call forwarding codes that make enabling this function on your iOS device a breeze:

  • Dial **61*1+’phone number’ # (Forward unanswered incoming calls)
  • Dial **62*1+’phone number’ # (direct incoming calls when your phone is unreachable)
  • Dial **67*1+’phone number’ # (Forward incoming calls when you are engaged in another call)

Empower your iOS device with call forwarding capabilities using these steps or convenient dial codes. Streamline your communication by ensuring you don’t miss any important calls, whether you’re unavailable, unreachable, or occupied with another call.

3. Activating Call Forwarding on a Landline

Use these simple steps to initiate the call forwarding feature on your landline.

  • Begin by picking up the receiver of your landline phone to establish a connection.
  • Once you hear the dial tone on your landline, dial *72 followed by the desired ‘phone number.’
  • Replace ‘phone number’ with the number to which you want your incoming calls forwarded.
  • After inputting the number, await the confirmation message from your landline service provider.
  • That’s all! The call forwarding option is now successfully activated on your landline.

How to Turn Off Call Forwarding? 

There might be instances where you need to switch off the call forwarding feature on your communication device. Being able to turn off call forwarding is essential. This section provides clear steps for disabling call forwarding on Android phones, iOS devices, and traditional landlines.

Deactivating Call Forwarding on Android Devices

Deactivating Call Forwarding on Android Devices

  • Open the ‘Phone app’ on your Android device.
  • Tap the three dots located at the upper right corner to access the menu.
  • Locate the ‘Call forwarding’ option. If you don’t find it immediately, select the ‘Settings’ option.
  • Under ‘Advanced settings’ or ‘Carrier call settings,’ you’ll find ‘Call forwarding.’
  • Upon selecting ‘Call forwarding,’ you’ll see choices for ‘Voice call’ and ‘Video call.’
  • Choose ‘Voice call’ and toggle it to the ‘OFF’ position.
  • This will deactivate the call-forwarding feature on your Android device.

Activating Call Forwarding on a Landline

Follow the below-mentioned steps to initiate the call forwarding feature on your landline telephone.

  • Lift the receiver of your landline phone to establish a connection.
  • Upon hearing the dial tone on your landline, dial *72 followed by the desired ‘phone number.’
  • Replace ‘phone number’ with the number to which you wish to forward your incoming calls.
  • After entering the number, patiently await the confirmation message from your landline service provider.
  • You have successfully activated the call forwarding option on your landline.

Setup Call Forwarding With DialerHQ

DialerHQ is an advanced, user-friendly mobile application that offers unlimited calls and cost-effective messaging through cell phones.

The DialerHQ app stands as the ideal solution for acquiring virtual phone numbers and initiating calls from the United States to Malaysia. With flexibility, affordability, and a leading market position, DialerHQ provides an instant competitive edge. If you’re ready to commence, consider exploring DialerHQ for a swift advantage.

Here are the steps for getting DialerHQ – 

  • Register or sign in to DialerHQ
  • Select the preferred country and phone number from the list
  • Set up and configure your account 
  • Turn on call forwarding from dashboard options in your DialerHQ app

And you’re done! Now, you can make calls to your prospects and customers without any hassle. 

Final Thoughts

In a market where efficient communication is important, DialerHQ emerges as a transformative solution for businesses seeking to elevate their phone service. With its array of innovative features, including virtual phone numbers, cost-efficient calling, unlimited connectivity, and streamlined messaging, DialerHQ paves the way for enhanced customer experiences and heightened operational efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

To activate Unconditional Call Forwarding, dial the activation code (such as *72) followed by the desired forwarding number, then wait for confirmation.

Deactivate Unconditional Call Forwarding by dialing the deactivation code (like *73) or using your phone's settings.

To activate Conditional Call Forwarding, dial the relevant activation code (e.g., *90 for no answer) followed by the forwarding number.

Use Conditional Call Forwarding when you want calls forwarded based on specific conditions like no answer, busy, or unreachable situations.

Yes, you can assign distinct forwarding numbers for various conditions, tailoring call forwarding to your needs.

Check your call forwarding status in your phone's settings or by dialing specific codes provided by your service provider.

No, with Unconditional Call Forwarding active, calls are immediately redirected to the forwarded number without ringing on your original line.

Updated : March 28, 2024

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