How to Set Up Call Forwarding on iPhone and Android (30-Second Guide)

Call forwarding is the bridge between your phone and your AI answering service. Once it's set up, calls you can't answer get routed to CallChloé automatically. No missed leads, no voicemail black holes.

Here's a stat that should get your attention: 85% of callers who reach voicemail will not call back (Forbes). For real estate agents, that means every unanswered call is likely a permanently lost lead. Call forwarding eliminates this problem entirely.

The good news: it takes less than 30 seconds on any phone. Here's exactly how to do it on every major platform and carrier.

Why Call Forwarding Matters for Real Estate Agents

Before we get into the setup steps, consider why this small configuration change has an outsized impact on your business.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 78% of buyers work with the first agent who responds to their inquiry. When a motivated buyer calls about a listing and reaches your voicemail, they don't wait. They call the next agent on their list. Research from InsideSales.com shows that leads contacted within 5 minutes are 21x more likely to convert compared to leads contacted after 30 minutes.

Call forwarding ensures that even when you're in a showing, driving, or at dinner, your phone is never truly unanswered. The call routes to your AI answering service in seconds, and the lead gets a live conversation instead of a recorded message.

iPhone: Call Forwarding Setup

Method 1: Settings App (All Carriers)

1. Open Settings
2. Scroll down and tap Phone
3. Tap Call Forwarding
4. Toggle the switch ON
5. Tap Forward To and enter your CallChloé number
6. Tap Back to save

That's it. All incoming calls will now route to your CallChloé number when you can't answer.

To turn it off: Follow the same steps and toggle the switch back to OFF.

Important note: On some carriers, the Call Forwarding option only appears when you're connected to your carrier's cellular network (not on Wi-Fi only). If you don't see the option, turn off Wi-Fi temporarily and try again.

Method 2: Carrier Codes (Dialer)

If you prefer using the phone dialer, you can activate forwarding with a quick code:

• Activate unconditional forwarding: Dial *72 followed by your CallChloé number, then press Call
  • Example: *72 514-555-0123
• Deactivate: Dial *73 and press Call

These codes work on most major Canadian carriers including Bell, Rogers, Telus, Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Plus.

Android: Call Forwarding Setup

Android's interface varies slightly between manufacturers (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.), but the core path is the same.

Method 1: Phone App Settings

1. Open your Phone app (the dialer)
2. Tap the three-dot menu (top right) and select Settings
3. Tap Calling accounts or Supplementary services (varies by phone)
4. Select your SIM card if you have dual SIM
5. Tap Call forwarding
6. You'll see four options:
   • Always forward - all calls go to your forwarding number
   • Forward when busy - only when you're on another call
   • Forward when unanswered - when you don't pick up after a few rings
   • Forward when unreachable - when your phone is off or has no signal
7. Tap your preferred option, enter your CallChloé number, and tap Enable or Turn on

Samsung Galaxy Specific Path

Samsung phones have a slightly different menu structure:

1. Open Phone app
2. Tap three-dot menu > Settings
3. Tap Supplementary services
4. Tap Call forwarding
5. Select Voice call
6. Choose your forwarding condition and enter your CallChloé number

Google Pixel Specific Path

1. Open Phone app
2. Tap three-dot menu > Settings
3. Tap Calling accounts
4. Select your carrier
5. Tap Call forwarding
6. Choose your condition and enter the number

Method 2: Carrier Codes (Same as iPhone)

The same dialer codes work on Android:

• Activate: *72 + your CallChloé number, then Call
• Deactivate: *73, then Call

Conditional Forwarding: The Smart Approach

Most real estate agents don't want all calls forwarded all the time. You want to answer when you can and have CallChloé pick up when you can't. This is called conditional forwarding, and it's the recommended setup.

What Conditional Forwarding Means

• Forward when unanswered: Your phone rings for 15-25 seconds (usually 4-6 rings). If you don't pick up, the call routes to CallChloé. This is the most popular option for agents.

• Forward when busy: If you're already on a call, the new caller goes to CallChloé instead of hearing a busy signal or going to voicemail.

• Forward when unreachable: If your phone is off, in airplane mode, or has no signal (basements, parking garages, rural areas), calls route to CallChloé.

The Recommended Setup

For the best coverage, enable all three conditional forwarding options:

1. Forward when unanswered
2. Forward when busy
3. Forward when unreachable

This way, you still answer calls when you're available, but CallChloé catches everything else. You never miss a lead whether you're in a meeting, on another call, or in an elevator.

Setting Conditional Forwarding with Carrier Codes

Each condition has its own code:

| Condition | Activate | Deactivate | |---|---|---| | All calls | *72 + number | *73 | | Busy | *90 + number | *91 | | No answer | *92 + number | *93 | | Unreachable | *62 + number | *63 |

Note: These codes work on most Canadian carriers, but some variations exist. If a code doesn't work, check your carrier's website or call their support line.

Carrier-Specific Instructions

Bell / Virgin Plus

Bell supports all standard forwarding codes. You can also manage call forwarding through the MyBell app under Phone Services. Bell includes conditional call forwarding on most current plans at no extra cost.

Rogers / Fido

Rogers and Fido use the standard *72/*73 codes. You can also activate forwarding through your MyRogers or Fido account online. Rogers plans typically include call forwarding as a standard feature.

Telus / Koodo

Telus and Koodo support standard codes. For detailed instructions, log into your My Telus or Koodo Self-Serve account and look under Add-ons or Call Management features.

Videotron

Videotron uses the same standard codes. You can manage forwarding through the Videotron customer portal. Particularly relevant for agents in the Montreal and Quebec City markets who use Videotron as their primary carrier.

Cost note: Most Canadian carriers include basic call forwarding at no extra charge on current plans. Some legacy plans may charge a small monthly fee ($3-$7/month). If you're unsure, check your plan details or call your carrier.

Call Forwarding vs. Voicemail: A Quick Comparison

Many agents think voicemail is "good enough." The data says otherwise.

| Factor | Voicemail | Call Forwarding to AI | |---|---|---| | Lead capture rate | 15% of callers leave a message | 100% of calls answered | | Caller experience | Frustrating, impersonal | Conversational, professional | | Lead qualification | None | Automatic (timeline, budget, area) | | Appointment booking | Impossible | Booked during the call | | Response time | Hours or days (manual callback) | Instant | | After-hours coverage | Same poor experience | Full 24/7 coverage | | Bilingual support | One language per greeting | Automatic language detection |

The difference is stark. Voicemail is a dead end for 85% of callers. Call forwarding to an AI answering service turns every missed call into a qualified lead.

How to Forward Calls to CallChloé

Once you have your CallChloé account set up, you'll receive a dedicated forwarding number. This is the number you enter in your phone's call forwarding settings.

Here's the complete setup flow:

1. Sign up for CallChloé at callchloe.ai and complete your onboarding (choose language, set greeting, configure preferences)
2. Copy your CallChloé forwarding number from your dashboard
3. Set up conditional forwarding on your phone using the instructions above
4. Test it: Call your own number from another phone and don't answer. Confirm that CallChloé picks up after a few rings.
5. You're live. Every call you can't answer now gets handled professionally.

The whole process, from sign-up to first forwarded call, takes under five minutes.

Forwarding from a Business or VoIP Phone System

If you use a business phone system (RingCentral, Vonage, Grasshopper, Google Voice), the process is slightly different but equally straightforward.

RingCentral: Go to Settings > Call Handling > Missed Calls > Forward to external number. Enter your CallChloé number.

Google Voice: Open Settings > Calls > Call forwarding. Add your CallChloé number as a forwarding destination.

Grasshopper: Log into your dashboard. Under Extensions, set your CallChloé number as the failover destination.

General VoIP systems: Look for "failover number," "backup routing," or "unanswered call destination" in your admin panel. Enter your CallChloé number there.

If your brokerage uses a shared phone system, speak with your office administrator about routing your extension's unanswered calls to your CallChloé number. Most modern phone systems support per-extension forwarding rules.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Call forwarding option missing on iPhone: Make sure you're on cellular (not Wi-Fi only) and restart your phone. Some carriers require provisioning before forwarding works. Call your carrier and ask them to enable "call forwarding" on your account.

Calls still going to voicemail: Your carrier voicemail may be picking up before the forwarding kicks in. Contact your carrier to either disable voicemail or increase the ring time before voicemail activates. Most carriers can extend the ring time to 25-30 seconds, giving you more time to answer before the forward triggers.

Forwarding code not working: Some carriers require you to subscribe to a call forwarding feature before codes work. Check your plan features online or call your carrier. This is more common on older legacy plans.

Dual SIM phones: Make sure you're setting up forwarding on the correct SIM/line. Both iPhone and Android let you configure forwarding independently for each line. If you use one SIM for business and one for personal, only set up forwarding on your business line.

Forwarding not working intermittently: This can happen if you're in an area with poor signal. When your phone can't communicate the forwarding instruction to your carrier's network, the call may go to default voicemail. Enabling the "forward when unreachable" condition covers this scenario.

How Successful Agents Use Call Forwarding

Top-producing agents treat call forwarding as part of their daily routine. Here's a common workflow:

During showings and meetings: Conditional forwarding is always active. If you don't answer within 4 rings, CallChloé picks up, qualifies the lead, and books an appointment on your calendar. You get a summary notification when the call ends.

After hours and weekends: The same conditional forwarding handles evening and weekend calls. You get genuine time off while your business stays reachable. According to NAR, 44% of buyers found their agent through a phone call — and many of those calls happen outside business hours.

During vacations: Some agents switch to unconditional forwarding (all calls go directly to CallChloé) so their phone doesn't ring at all. Every inquiry is handled, and leads are queued for follow-up when they return.

Why This Matters for Your Business

Setting up call forwarding takes 30 seconds. The impact lasts for the lifetime of your real estate career. Every call that used to die in voicemail now gets answered by a professional AI secretary that captures leads, qualifies callers, and sends you detailed summaries.

Consider the math: the average real estate commission in Canada is roughly $10,000-$15,000 on a single transaction. If call forwarding helps you capture just one additional deal per year that would have otherwise been lost to voicemail, it pays for itself many times over. At CallChloé's $99/month Starter plan, that's a 100x+ return on investment.

You keep answering calls when you can. CallChloé handles the rest. No leads lost. No opportunities missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does call forwarding cost extra on my phone plan?

Most current Canadian phone plans from Bell, Rogers, Telus, and their sub-brands include call forwarding at no extra charge. Some older legacy plans may charge $3-$7 per month. Check your plan details or call your carrier to confirm. Even if there is a small charge, it's negligible compared to the cost of a single lost lead.

Will callers know their call was forwarded?

No. The forwarding is seamless from the caller's perspective. They dial your number, and after a few rings (if using conditional forwarding), CallChloé answers. The caller has no way of knowing the call was routed to a different number. It sounds like someone in your office picked up the phone.

Can I forward calls only during certain hours?

With conditional forwarding (forward when unanswered), you achieve this naturally. During work hours, you answer your phone as normal. Calls you miss get forwarded. After hours, you simply stop answering, and every call goes to CallChloé. If you want true time-based routing, some VoIP systems and apps like Google Voice allow you to set forwarding schedules.

What happens if I forward calls and then pick up my phone?

With conditional forwarding, if you answer the call before the forwarding triggers (usually within 4-6 rings), the call stays with you. CallChloé only receives calls you don't answer. You're always the first line of defense.

Does call forwarding work internationally?

If you're traveling outside Canada, conditional forwarding (forward when unanswered/busy/unreachable) still works because the forwarding is handled by your carrier's network, not your phone. However, if you answer a forwarded call while abroad, international roaming charges may apply to your device. CallChloé's forwarding number is Canadian, so the forwarding itself doesn't incur international charges from the carrier's side.

Can I set up forwarding for a team or brokerage?

Yes. Each agent on a team can set up their own call forwarding to their individual CallChloé number. If your brokerage has a main office line, your admin can configure the phone system to route unanswered calls from the main line to a shared CallChloé account. Contact us for team pricing.

Try CallChloé Free

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