T-Mobile Call Forwarding Codes: Setup, Ring Delay and Turning It Off

T-Mobile uses the standard GSM codes, so if you've ever set this up on AT&T the syntax will look familiar. What's worth knowing is which condition to use and how long to let the phone ring before it hands the call over.

The codes

• **61*number# — forward calls you don't answer. The one that matters for most businesses.
• **67*number# — forward calls that arrive while you're on another call.
• **62*number# — forward when the phone is off or out of coverage.
• **21*number# — forward everything immediately; the handset stops ringing.
• ##61# / ##67# / ##62# / ##21# — switch each one off.
• ##004# — clear all conditional forwarding in one go.
• #61# — check what's currently set.

Choosing the ring delay

Add the seconds on the end of the activation code: **61*5551234567**30# forwards after 30 seconds. Valid values are 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30.

Short delays feel efficient and cost you calls you could have taken. Long delays feel safe and test the caller's patience. Twenty to thirty seconds is where most people land.

When the code doesn't take

• Listen for the confirmation tone. No tone usually means the code was mistyped — the leading double star and trailing hash both matter.
• Some prepaid and Metro-branded plans have forwarding disabled at the account level. The handset isn't the problem and reinstalling anything won't help.
• If you use Wi-Fi calling or a digital second line, the app may have its own forwarding setting that overrides the network one.
• Dial ##004# and start again if the behaviour gets confusing — it's much faster than unpicking which rule is fighting which.

What you point it at is the whole game

A forwarding code is plumbing. It matters only as much as the thing on the other end. Sent to voicemail, you've routed the call to the place most people abandon.

Your options, priced honestly: what answering services actually cost · why text-back misses the urgent callers · all six fixes, cheapest first. CallEmBack is the $49/month version: it answers, collects the job details, and texts you a lead. Other carriers: Verizon · AT&T.