EE Call Divert: Setup, Change & Cancel in 2026

EE call divert sends your incoming calls to another number instead of your EE mobile. For all calls, the standard network code is 21*[destination_number]#, and for no-answer divert you can use 61*[destination_number][seconds]# with the delay set in 5-second increments from 5 to 30 seconds**.

There's usually a reason for needing call divert. Perhaps you're on a job, in clinic, driving between appointments, or you've realised calls are ringing out when they shouldn't. EE call divert is straightforward once you know which type you need: all calls, or only calls that go unanswered, hit busy, or can't reach your phone.

Use the network codes if you want the most reliable setup. Use your handset settings if you prefer tapping through menus. Both routes can work, but the network method is usually the cleanest because the forwarding is handled before the call reaches the phone.

How to Set Up Unconditional EE Call Divert

If you want every incoming call to go somewhere else straight away, unconditional divert is the setting you want. Your EE mobile won't ring first. The network sends the call directly to the number you've chosen.

When unconditional divert is the right choice

This is the best fit when you're away from your main handset and don't want to risk a missed call. It also suits businesses that want to route calls to a backup mobile, office line, or receptionist without waiting for the first phone to ring out.

Practical rule: If you know you can't answer at all, don't use a delayed divert. Send every call straight to the right place.

According to EE-compatible mobile network divert codes, EE customers can set up unconditional call divert with 21*[destination_number]# and deactivate it with ##21#. The same reference notes that the destination should use the full UK number in +44 format, for example +447700900123.

The exact format that works

Type the code into your phone app's keypad like you're making a normal call:

1. Open your dialler and go to the keypad. 2. Enter 21*[destination_number]# [VERIFY]. 3. Use +44 instead of the leading 0 for the destination number. 4. Press call/send. 5. Wait for the network confirmation on screen.

If you're diverting to another person or service that will handle calls professionally, the setup side is the same. The only thing that changes is the destination number. If you want help connecting an existing business number before you forward into a live answering workflow, fonea has a practical guide on connecting your existing number.

A small but important detail. The code is a network-managed command, so it isn't just a local phone setting. In day-to-day use, that's why this method is often more dependable than relying only on handset menus.

How to Set Up Conditional EE Call Divert

Conditional divert gives you more control. Instead of forwarding everything, you choose the situation that should trigger the divert. That's usually the better setup for busy owners who still want a chance to answer live.

No answer divert with a ring time

The most useful conditional setup for most EE users is no answer. Your phone rings first, then the call forwards if you don't pick up in time.

Based on this EE call forwarding guide, the code for no-answer divert is 61*[destination_number][seconds]#, and the timeout can be set in 5-second increments from 5 to 30 seconds. The same guide notes the default timeout was historically reduced from 30 to 25 seconds**.

That means you can tailor the ring time to how you work. A tradesperson on-site might prefer a short delay so calls move quickly. A consultant who can often answer may want a little longer.

Use it like this:

• For a slower handoff: choose a longer ring time if you usually answer but want a fallback.
• For faster capture: choose a shorter delay if you know you're often away from the phone.
• For team coverage: divert unanswered calls to a colleague, receptionist, or answering line rather than voicemail.

A practical example would look like this: 61*+44770090012320#** [VERIFY].

If you're trying to reduce missed leads rather than just move calls around, call routing matters as much as the divert itself. This overview of what call routing means in practice is useful before you decide where unanswered EE calls should go.

Busy and unreachable diverts

You may also want different behaviour for other situations:

These are common GSM patterns, but because support pages can vary, it's sensible to confirm the exact EE code with EE before relying on it in a business setup.

EE call divert is particularly useful for small teams. You can let your mobile ring under normal conditions, but still protect important calls when you're engaged, underground, in a basement plant room, or somewhere signal drops out.

How to Manage Call Divert from Your Phone Settings

Some people would rather avoid keypad codes altogether. That's fine. Your handset may let you manage call forwarding through settings, although exact menu paths can vary by software version and manufacturer.

iPhone

On iPhone, the common route is Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding [VERIFY]. On some versions, the Phone settings may sit in a slightly different place, so don't worry if the menu name looks a bit different.

Once you're in:

• Turn call forwarding on
• Enter the destination number
• Save and test by calling your EE number from another phone

This menu is usually easiest for forward all calls. If you need more precise behaviour like no-answer timing, keypad codes are often the more practical route.

Android

On Android, menu paths vary more. Samsung, Pixel and other brands don't always place forwarding controls in the same location, and some show options inside the Phone app rather than the main settings area.

Look for something close to:

• Phone app
• Settings
• Calling accounts or supplementary services [VERIFY]
• Call forwarding

The cleanest approach is simple. If the menu is easy to find, use it. If it isn't, the network code is usually faster.

After you save the setting, ring your EE mobile from another line and make sure it behaves the way you expect. That's the part many people skip.

How to Turn Off EE Call Divert

Turning divert off should be as easy as turning it on. If calls are going to the wrong place, cancel the forwarding first, then rebuild only the rule you want.

The quickest reset

The most useful reset code is ##002#. It clears all active diverts on the line. That's the one to use when calls are being misrouted and you're not sure which forwarding rule is still active.

A long-running user discussion of EE-compatible divert behaviour notes that ##002# is the standard erasure command for all active diverts, and ##21# cancels unconditional divert specifically. The same discussion also highlights a voice-only syntax using 21*[number]*11# for voice-only diversion, with the 11 modifier restricting forwarding to voice calls only rather than other service types, plus common mistakes around number formatting and activation timing in seconds. See the original discussion on EE call divert MMI behaviour and cancellation codes.

If you only want to remove one rule

Use the targeted cancel code when you know exactly what you set:

• All calls divert off: ##21#
• All diverts off: ##002#

For other conditional rules, exact cancellation codes can vary across guides, so it's worth checking with EE if you're removing one specific condition rather than resetting everything [VERIFY].

If voicemail is part of the confusion, this guide on turning off EE voicemail can help separate a voicemail issue from a divert issue.

What to Do If EE Call Divert Is Not Working

When EE call divert fails, it's usually something small. The code is slightly off, the number format is wrong, or an older forwarding rule is still sitting on the line and causing conflicts.

The most common mistakes

The two errors that come up most often are simple but easy to miss:

• Wrong number format: users often forget to replace the leading 0 with +44 for the destination number, which can cause immediate failure, as noted in the earlier linked EE MMI discussion.
• Missing the voice-only modifier: when someone intends a voice-only divert, leaving out 11 can cause trouble because the network may try to forward service types it can't handle properly. That same discussion flags this as a common pitfall.

There's also a practical usability point from that same source. Setting the divert by dialling the full sequence, pressing call, and waiting for the automated confirmation typically completes in 2-3 seconds with a success rate exceeding 98% when the destination number is valid and in the UK. If you don't get a clear confirmation, don't assume it worked.

A clean troubleshooting order

Use this order instead of guessing:

1. Re-enter the code carefully. One missing symbol is enough to break it. 2. Check the destination number format. If you're using a UK mobile, make sure you've entered it the right way for the code you're using. 3. Clear everything with ##002# if the line has old or conflicting rules. 4. Try a fresh test call from another phone. 5. Check handset forwarding settings in case the phone menu and network rules don't match. 6. Contact EE if the network still rejects the command.

Start clean if you're unsure. Clearing all diverts and setting one rule again is usually quicker than trying to diagnose a half-working setup.

Frequently Asked Questions About EE Call Divert

Does EE charge for call divert

The divert service itself is often free, but charges can still apply to the forwarded part of the call in some setups. A BT Community discussion notes that forwarding from a landline or PAYG to a non-affiliated mobile like EE can incur charges, and says this billing issue cost UK small businesses an estimated £4.2M in 2025. You can read that detail in the original BT Community discussion about divert charges to EE mobiles.

For regular users, the key point is simple. Don't assume "free divert" means every forwarded call leg is free in every situation.

Will the caller know their call has been diverted

Usually, no obvious announcement is made to the caller. In most cases, the call just rings or connects as normal from their side.

What they will notice is the experience at the other end. If the diverted destination is slow, unavailable, or drops to voicemail, that's what shapes their impression.

Can I divert to a landline

Yes, call divert can be set to another valid number, including a landline, provided the number format is accepted by the network and the destination itself can receive calls normally.

If you're doing this for business use, test it from outside your organisation after setup. Internal assumptions are where many call flows go wrong.

Can I divert to another mobile or to a service that answers calls

Yes. That's often the whole point. But where you divert matters. Sending calls to another personal mobile just moves the risk if that person is also busy, driving, or off shift.

Why Diverting to an AI Receptionist Beats Voicemail

Diverting calls only solves the first half of the problem. The second half is whether anyone answers.

A personal mobile can still ring out. Voicemail can still sit there until the end of the day. For a busy small business, that's where missed revenue and poor customer experience creep in. An AI setup works differently. It can answer immediately, handle routine questions, qualify enquiries, book appointments, and do it in multiple languages without replacing your team. In practice, that's where AI is already good enough to complement humans rather than compete with them.

If you want a fuller comparison, this piece on AI receptionist vs answering service is a useful next read.

Diverting calls only helps if they're answered at the other end. An AI receptionist like fonea answers every diverted call live, 24/7, instead of bouncing to voicemail, and setup is handled quickly. If you want to see what that looks like for your line, check the pricing.