Vodafone Call Divert: A Complete How-To Guide for 2026

Missing calls usually means you're already busy, out on a job, or away from your desk. Vodafone call divert forwards your incoming calls to another number, set up via Vodafone network codes or your phone's call-forwarding settings, with options for all calls or only when busy or unanswered.

For a lot of Vodafone customers, that solves the immediate problem fast. You can send calls to another mobile, a colleague, a landline, or voicemail. If you're running a small business, it's also worth thinking one step further. forwarding a call only helps if someone answers it.

What Is Vodafone Call Divert and Why Use It

A customer calls while you are with another customer. That happens all the time in small businesses. If nobody picks up, that call can turn into a missed quote, a delayed job, or a sale that goes elsewhere.

Vodafone call divert sends incoming calls to another number based on rules you choose. You can redirect every call, or only the ones you miss because you are busy, unavailable, or out of coverage. It is a practical safety net when one person is trying to do the work and answer the phone at the same time.

Used well, it gives you breathing room. A tradesperson can send unanswered calls to the office. A consultant can route calls to a colleague during client sessions. A shop owner can forward calls to a mobile while away from the counter. Those are all examples of a wider call handling setup. If you want the bigger picture, read this guide on what call routing means for a business phone setup.

The trade-off is simple. Divert solves the coverage problem, but the result depends entirely on where those calls land. If they go to a mobile that is also busy, or to a voicemail box customers do not want to use, you have not addressed the underlying issue.

That matters more than the feature itself. For short-term cover, call divert works well and is quick to switch on. For day-to-day business continuity, especially if calls mean bookings or revenue, many teams outgrow basic forwarding and move to an AI receptionist that answers every time, captures the caller's details, and routes urgent calls without adding another handset or another person to the payroll.

How to Set Up Call Divert with Vodafone Network Codes

The fastest way to switch on call divert is usually the phone dialler. You enter a short network code, press call, and Vodafone applies the rule at network level. That is often quicker than digging through handset menus, especially if you are trying to set this up between jobs or guide a colleague over text.

Use the destination number in international format. For UK mobiles, that usually means replacing the leading 0 with +44. Getting that detail right saves time, because number formatting is one of the main reasons divert requests fail.

The Vodafone code for diverting all calls

To divert all incoming calls on Vodafone, dial:

`21*[number]#`**

Replace [number] with the number you want calls sent to.

Example:

1. Open your phone's dialler. 2. Type `21*+447XXXXXXXXX#`** 3. Press the call button. 4. Wait for the confirmation message on screen.

Vodafone uses the standard GSM forwarding code `21*number]#`** for unconditional call divert. If you want a second reference point on how these network codes are commonly structured across UK mobile providers, this guide to [EE call divert codes and setup steps shows the same code pattern.

Here's what each part does:

This setting is blunt by design. Every incoming call goes elsewhere until you turn it off. That can help when you are away from the business line for a day, covering leave, or sending calls to a temporary answer point. It is less useful if you still want a chance to answer calls yourself first.

If the code does not work, stop and check the destination number before trying again. Include the full number and the final #. A single typo can send calls to the wrong place or leave forwarding inactive.

For a short-term fix, this method is hard to beat. For day-to-day business use, the bigger question is where those calls are landing. Diverting every call to a mobile can just move the bottleneck from one phone to another.

How to Use Conditional Diverts for Busy or Unanswered Calls

A missed call at 11:47 can be the one that mattered. You are already speaking to a customer, another call comes in, and it either hits voicemail, rings out, or disappears because your phone has no signal. Conditional divert is the cleaner fix because it only steps in when something has gone wrong.

For a small business, that matters. You still get the chance to answer calls yourself, but you stop avoidable failures during busy periods, missed rings, or patchy coverage.

Choose the right condition for the job

Busy calls are best if you are often already on another call. This suits roles like reception, sales, legal, and healthcare admin where calls stack up fast.

Unanswered calls are useful if you want your phone to ring first and only pass the call on if you do not pick up in time.

Unreachable calls cover the awkward gaps. Phone off. Battery dead. No signal. If you work on the road or in buildings with poor coverage, this setting protects calls you never even see.

The key codes to use

Use these Vodafone network codes:

• Busy: `67*[number]#`**
• Unanswered: `61*[number]#`**
• Unreachable: `62*[number]#`**

For unanswered calls, Vodafone also supports ring delays before the divert kicks in. The delay is usually set in 5-second steps, up to 30 seconds, depending on the exact code format and handset behaviour.

Use the codes based on what usually goes wrong in your day:

A practical setup looks like this:

• Set busy divert if callers regularly hit engaged tone while you are speaking to someone else.
• Set unanswered divert if you want a short window to pick up before the call goes elsewhere.
• Set unreachable divert if losing signal would otherwise mean losing the enquiry.

If you want a broader view of the options before choosing a setup, this guide on how to divert calls for different business situations gives useful context.

What to send those calls to

This is the part many guides skip. The code is only half the decision. The destination matters more.

Diverting to your own mobile helps in the short term, but it can just move the pile-up from one phone to another. Diverting to voicemail is cheaper, but callers often do not leave a message, especially if they are trying several providers at once. Diverting to a colleague works well if someone is available to answer and knows how to handle the call.

For business continuity, the best destination is the one that answers consistently, takes the details properly, and does not depend on one person being free.

After setting any conditional divert, test it from another phone straight away. Check the real caller journey, not just the confirmation message on your screen.

If you need a stopgap, conditional divert is a sensible network feature. If you need reliable cover every day, an AI receptionist is usually the stronger operational choice because it answers when you are busy, captures the caller's reason properly, and keeps the business reachable without hiring full-time front-desk cover.

How to Divert Calls via Your Phone Settings on iPhone and Android

Some people prefer menus over dial codes. That's fine, especially if you only need a simple always-on divert and want to see the setting visually.

For a broader walkthrough of call forwarding approaches, this practical guide on how to divert calls is a good companion.

iPhone

On iPhone, the usual path is:

1. Open Settings 2. Go to Phone [VERIFY] 3. Tap Call Forwarding [VERIFY] 4. Turn it on 5. Enter the number you want to forward to

On some iPhone software versions, menu labels can vary slightly, so treat the exact path as [VERIFY] on your device. In practice, iPhone is best for simple unconditional forwarding through settings. For more granular busy, unanswered, or unreachable conditions, the Vodafone network codes are usually more reliable.

Android

On Android, the path depends on the phone maker and software version. A common route is:

1. Open the Phone app 2. Tap the menu icon 3. Open Settings [VERIFY] 4. Look for Calling accounts, Supplementary services, or Call forwarding [VERIFY] 5. Choose the forwarding type and enter the destination number

Different Android brands label this differently, so don't worry if your menu isn't an exact match.

Menu-based setup is convenient, but it can hide important details. If you need precise control over busy, unanswered, or unreachable behaviour, Vodafone network codes are usually the clearer option.

How to Check Status and Turn Off Vodafone Call Divert

A missed call problem often starts with an old divert rule nobody remembered setting. A team member forwards calls before a break, swaps handsets, or tests a temporary backup number, and the business line keeps sending customers somewhere unhelpful.

Checking the status first saves time.

Status codes to keep handy

Use these codes in your phone dialler to see which Vodafone divert rules are active:

• `*#21#` for all-call divert
• `*#61#` for unanswered-call divert
• `*#67#` for busy-call divert
• `*#62#` for unreachable-call divert

This matters more than it seems. A business can have one conditional divert left active and assume everything is off, then lose calls only when the phone is busy or out of signal.

If calls are still falling into voicemail during cleanup, check your voicemail settings at the same time. This guide on how to turn off voicemail on your phone helps remove one more place calls can disappear.

How to switch diverts off

Turn off Vodafone call divert with the code that matches the rule you want to remove:

For day-to-day troubleshooting, `##002#` is usually the fastest reset. It clears the lot, which is helpful if calls are behaving oddly and you do not want to test each condition one by one.

There is a trade-off. Sending calls to another mobile or to voicemail can tidy up the symptom, but it does not guarantee a customer reaches a person or gets a useful response. Mobiles still go unanswered. Voicemail still creates delay.

For a small business, that is the bigger decision behind call divert. Use these codes to regain control of the line. Then decide whether forwarding to another number is really the best end point, or whether a proper call handling setup gives you better cover when nobody is free.

Vodafone Call Divert Not Working and Other Questions

Why your Vodafone call divert might fail

A common small-business problem looks like this. The divert code goes through, the phone shows no obvious error, and calls still end up in the wrong place or nowhere useful. In practice, the fault is usually in one of three areas: the number format, an old forwarding rule still sitting on the line, or the destination itself.

Number format is the first thing to check. If the target number has been entered inconsistently, especially for international destinations, Vodafone may reject the divert or apply it unpredictably. Re-enter the destination carefully, use the full number, and if you are forwarding outside the UK, use international format such as +44 rather than a local 07 version.

The second issue is conflicting rules. An all-calls divert, a busy divert, and an unanswered divert can all exist separately. That is why a line can look "fixed" and still behave oddly in one scenario. If you have been testing different codes, clear everything and start again with the single rule you want.

The third issue is the one many businesses overlook. A divert can be set up correctly and still fail your customer. Forwarding to another mobile only moves the pressure to a different device. If that phone is in a meeting, out of battery, or in a weak coverage area, the call is still lost in practical terms. Voicemail has the same weakness. The network has done its job, but the business has not answered the customer.

Landline and business phone setups can add another complication. On some diverted calls, the person answering may not see the original caller's number clearly. That matters if your team relies on caller ID to decide whether to pick up, prioritise, or return the call quickly.

The forwarding code is only half the decision. The other half is whether the destination can answer reliably.

FAQ

Does Vodafone charge for call divert?

Usually, yes. Diverted calls are typically charged as if your Vodafone number is making an outbound call to the number you forward to, and the exact cost depends on your plan and the destination. If you divert to a UK landline or mobile that is included in your allowance, the charge may be covered. If you divert to numbers outside your allowance, extra charges can apply.

Will the caller know their call is diverted?

Usually not. The caller normally just hears the call connect or continue ringing. They are not typically told that forwarding is active. What the person answering sees on caller ID can vary depending on the setup.

Can I divert to a landline?

Yes. Vodafone call divert can forward calls to another number, including a landline, as long as the number is entered correctly and the destination can receive calls.

Can I divert calls to another mobile abroad?

In many cases, yes, but it needs careful checking before you rely on it. The number usually needs to be entered in full international format, and charges can be significantly higher because the divert is treated as an outbound call from your Vodafone service to an international destination. For a business line, that is rarely the most cost-effective long-term setup.

Diverting calls only helps if they are answered at the other end. An AI receptionist like fonea answers every diverted call live, 24/7, instead of bouncing to voicemail, and it can be set up in hours. For small and medium-sized businesses, that is often the better step up from basic forwarding. Calls get answered in any language, routine questions are handled instantly, appointments can be booked, and your team only receives the calls that need a human. If you want to see what that looks like in practice, check fonea and its pricing.