Help
Send missed calls to Offhook
Call forwarding sends the calls you can't take to Offhook, which answers, takes the details and texts them to you. Your phone still rings first, exactly as it does now. Offhook only picks up when you don't answer, you're busy, or your phone is off.
It takes about two minutes, and you can turn it off at any time by dialling ##002#.
Forward to
your Offhook number (we'll send it to you)
Got it already? Log in and this page fills it in for you.
1 Dial these three codes
Dial each code like a phone number and press call. After each one your phone shows a short message saying forwarding is on.
When you don't answer
Rings you for 20 seconds first, then Offhook picks up.
**61*OFFHOOK-NUMBER*11*20#
Ready to copy once you have your Offhook number.
When you're busy
When you're already on a call, or you press decline.
**67*OFFHOOK-NUMBER#
Ready to copy once you have your Offhook number.
When your phone is off or has no signal
Flat battery, no signal, or flight mode.
**62*OFFHOOK-NUMBER#
Ready to copy once you have your Offhook number.
How to dial a code on your phone
- Tap Copy next to a code.
- Open the Phone app and go to the Keypad.
- Touch and hold just above the keys, then tap Paste.
- Press the green call button. Wait for the confirmation, then tap Dismiss.
- Do the same for the other two codes.
Don't use the Call Forwarding switch in Settings. On an iPhone it forwards every call, so your phone would never ring. The codes only forward the calls you miss.
- Tap Dial next to a code, then press the call button.
- Wait for the confirmation, then do the same for the other two codes.
Prefer the menus? In the Phone app:
- Tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
- Tap Calls or Supplementary services (the name depends on your phone), then Call forwarding and Voice calls.
- Set When busy, When unanswered and When unreachable to your Offhook number.
Leave Always forward off, or your phone will never ring.
2 Test it
- Ask someone to ring your mobile.
- Press decline when it rings.
- They should hear Offhook answer. Let them leave a quick test message, then check a text from Offhook arrives on your phone.
To check forwarding is still on at any point, dial the status code. It lists where unanswered calls go.
Check it's on
Shows where unanswered calls go right now.
*#61#
Turning it off
One code undoes all three, and your phone just rings until you answer. On some networks it also switches voicemail off; if yours does, your network can switch it back on.
Turn all forwarding off
Undoes all three codes above.
##002#
Does forwarding cost anything?
Your network treats a forwarded call like a call from your phone to your Offhook number. Many tariffs include that in your minutes, but some charge for it. Check before you start:
- EE: some plans charge for forwarded calls. Check your tariff or ask EE.
- Vodafone: some plans charge for forwarded calls. Check your tariff or ask Vodafone.
- O2: some plans charge for forwarded calls. Check your tariff or ask O2.
- Three: some plans charge for forwarded calls. Check your tariff or ask Three.
- giffgaff: some plans charge for forwarded calls. Check your tariff or ask giffgaff.
- Tesco Mobile: some plans charge for forwarded calls. Check your tariff or ask Tesco Mobile.
If something's not right
Voicemail still answers instead of Offhook
Dial the three codes again. They replace your network's voicemail forwarding, so the last code you dial wins. If voicemail still picks up first, turn voicemail off with your network (most can do it from your account online or over the phone), then dial the codes again.
My phone says the code didn't work
Check you copied the whole code, including the * and # signs, and that you have signal. Some business lines and landlines don't accept these codes. Email us at hello@offhook.uk and we'll set it up with you.
Forwarding is on but no text arrived
Email hello@offhook.uk with the time of your test call and we'll check what happened.
I want to change how long it rings
Change the 20 in the first code to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 seconds and dial it again.