To forward calls on a Safaricom, Airtel or Telkom line, dial **21* then the number then # (for example **21*0700000001#) and press call to forward every call; use **61* for calls you don't answer, **62* for when your phone is off or out of coverage, and **67* for when you're busy. Dial ##002# to cancel every forward at once. These are the standard GSM network codes, not codes published by any one operator, so if a code is rejected, use your phone's Call forwarding setting instead or check with your operator.
Type the code in your phone's dialler and press the call button. Replace number with the phone number you want calls to go to, written in full, such as 0700000001 or +254700000001. Your phone shows a short confirmation from the network when it works.
| What it does | Code | Cancel |
|---|
| Forward every call | **21*number# | ##21# |
| Forward when you don't answer | **61*number# | ##61# |
| Forward when your phone is off or has no signal | **62*number# | ##62# |
| Forward when you're on another call | **67*number# | ##67# |
| Check if forwarding is on | *#21# (or *#61#, *#62#, *#67#) | — |
| Cancel every forward | — | ##002# |
Change how long it rings first. On the "don't answer" forward, you can add the number of seconds before the final #. **61*0700000001*20# rings your phone for 20 seconds, then forwards. Networks usually accept 5 to 30 seconds, in steps of 5.
Which operators these work on. These codes are defined in the GSM standard (3GPP TS 22.030), which Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom mobile networks are built on. As of 23 September 2026, we could not find forwarding codes or a forwarding price on safaricom.co.ke, airtelkenya.com or telkom.co.ke. If a code is rejected on your line, check with your operator: Safaricom on 100 (prepay) or 200 (postpay), Airtel through its customer care line, and Telkom through its help centre.
If you'd rather not type codes, the same forward can be set from your phone. The phone sends the request to your network for you.
iPhone (Apple's steps for iOS):
- Open Settings, tap Apps, then tap Phone.
- Tap Call Forwarding and turn it on. On a Dual SIM iPhone, choose the line.
- Tap Forward To, enter the number, then tap Back.
A forwarding icon appears in the status bar while it's on. The iPhone setting only forwards every call. Apple says forwarding only when you're busy or unreachable must be set up through your carrier, which on a Kenyan line means the **67* and **62* codes above.
Samsung Galaxy (Samsung's steps):
- Open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings.
- Tap Supplementary services, then Call forwarding.
- Choose Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered or Forward when unreachable, enter the number and tap Enable.
Other Android phones have a similar Call forwarding option in the Phone app's settings, but the menu names vary by maker. The codes above work whichever menu your phone has.
We could not find a published charge for turning forwarding on or off. The cost to watch is what happens when a call is forwarded. On mobile networks, the owner of the forwarding line generally pays for the leg from their phone to the new number, as if they had made that call. None of the three operators publishes a forwarding rate on its website, so ask yours before you forward calls to a number on another network or abroad.
The person calling you pays what they would normally pay to call your number.
Phone codes forward one line to one number. For a business, that has three gaps. The call only goes to one person. If that person is busy, the caller gets their voicemail or nothing. And the business number lives on one SIM card, so it can't ring a team.
A Sautikit business number does forwarding in the number's settings instead:
- Ring several people at once, or in order. List two or more numbers. Ring them together, and the first to answer gets the call. Or ring them one after another, moving on when one doesn't pick up within the ring time you set (5 to 120 seconds).
- Voicemail when nobody answers. Add a greeting and the caller can leave a message instead of hearing a dead end.
- Business hours. Set opening hours per number, and have an AI agent answer the calls that come in after hours.
- Ring an app or a desk phone, not only mobiles. The SautiKit Phone app runs on the web, Android and Windows (iPhone and Mac in beta), and any desk phone or softphone that signs in with a SIP username and password can ring too.
What it costs. A Kenyan number is KES 116 a month including VAT, with no setup fee. Calls coming in to the number are free. When the number forwards a call to a mobile, that onward call is charged at KES 3.00 a minute, billed per second, from your prepaid wallet, which you top up with M-Pesa or card.
The dashboard steps and the API settings are in our forward calls and voicemail guide.
Dial **21* followed by the number and #, for example **21*0700000001#, then press call. That forwards every call. Use **61*, **62* or **67* instead of **21* to forward only unanswered calls, calls when your phone is off, or calls when you're busy. These are the standard GSM codes. If one is rejected, call Safaricom on 100 (prepay) or 200 (postpay).
Dial ##002# and press call. It cancels every forward on the line at once. To cancel only one type, use ##21#, ##61#, ##62# or ##67#. On an iPhone, you can also turn off Call Forwarding in Settings, Apps, Phone.
Dial *#21# and press call. The network replies with whether forwarding of all calls is on, and to which number. Use *#61#, *#62# or *#67# to check the other types. On an iPhone, a forwarding icon shows in the status bar while forwarding is on.
None of the three operators publishes a charge for turning it on. When a call is forwarded, the leg from your line to the new number is normally charged to you, like a call you made. Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom don't publish a forwarding rate on their websites, so check with your operator. On a Sautikit business number, incoming calls are free and a forwarded leg to a mobile costs KES 3.00 a minute, billed per second.
An unconditional forward to your voicemail is probably on. Dial *#21# to check, and ##002# to clear every forward.
Not with the phone codes: each forward goes to one number. A business number such as a Sautikit number can ring several phones at once, or one after another, with voicemail if nobody answers.