How to forward calls from Bell

If you use Bell for your phone service, you might want to forward calls so you never miss something important—maybe you’re going on vacation, using Upfirst’s answering service, or just need calls to go to a different number. This page will walk you through the different ways to set up call forwarding with Bell, whether you want to forward all calls or just missed ones.

How to forward all calls from Bell

To forward every incoming call from your Bell number to another phone (like your mobile, work, or an answering service), follow these steps:

1. Pick up your phone and listen for a dial tone.
2. Dial *72 (star seven two).
3. Enter the 10-digit phone number you want calls forwarded to. For example, if you want to forward to (555) 123-4567, you would dial *725551234567.
4. Wait for the confirmation tone or message. Some phones may ring briefly to confirm forwarding is active.
   
   1. If there is an answer at your Upfirst number: Make sure to keep the line open for at least 5 seconds to activate the call forwarding
   2. If there is NO answer or you get a busy signal: Wait for 3 seconds, hang up, and then repeat the previous steps one more time to activate call forwarding
5. Hang up. Your calls will now be forwarded to the number you entered.

Note: If you use a Bell mobile phone, you can also set up call forwarding in your device’s call settings, but the *72 method works on both landlines and mobiles.

How to turn off call forwarding on Bell

If you no longer want calls forwarded, you can easily turn it off:

1. Pick up your phone and listen for a dial tone.
2. To turn off all call forwarding: Dial *73 (star seven three) and wait for a two-beep confirmation tone.
3. Hang up. Call forwarding is now turned off.

FAQs about call forwarding on Bell

Does Bell charge for call forwarding?
Bell does not usually charge to activate or deactivate call forwarding, but you may be charged for forwarded calls, especially if they go to a long-distance or mobile number. It’s a good idea to check your Bell plan for details.

Can I forward calls internationally with Bell?
You can forward calls to international numbers, but international rates will likely apply. Bell recommends checking with customer service before setting this up to avoid unexpected charges.

Will my phone still ring when call forwarding is enabled?
No, since Bell only forwards all calls when they come in, your phone will not ring. Bell does not offer conditional call forwarding, where you would be able to forward only unanswered calls or calls when your line is busy.

Can I forward text messages too?
Bell’s call forwarding service only works with voice calls, not text messages. If you need to forward text messages, you’ll need a third-party app or service.

How is immediate forwarding different from conditional forwarding?
Immediate forwarding (using *72) sends all calls to another number right away. Conditional forwarding only sends calls when you don’t answer, your line is busy, or your phone is off.

Do I need to set up call forwarding on each device if I have multiple Bell phones?
Yes, call forwarding needs to be set up individually for each Bell phone number you want to forward.

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