If you want someone else to pick up the calls you miss, whether that's a colleague, a receptionist or an AI, you need call divert. Some networks call it call forwarding. It's the same thing. On a mobile it's a short code you dial once and then forget about.
Below are the codes for the Irish networks, checked against the operators' own help pages where they publish them. Where I couldn't verify a network's codes, I've said so and given you the standard GSM code to try.
Before you start: wherever you see NUMBER, put in the full number you're diverting to, with the area code or mobile prefix. Dial the code the way you'd dial a call and press the call button. Your phone should show a confirmation on screen.
The four kinds of divert
- •Divert all calls: every call goes straight to the other number and your phone doesn't ring
- •Divert when busy: calls go through only when you're already on a call
- •Divert on no answer: calls go through if you don't pick up in time
- •Divert when unreachable: calls go through when your phone is off or has no signal
If you want a receptionist to catch what you miss, you usually want the last three, not divert all. You still answer when you can, and anything you can't get to goes through.
The standard GSM codes
Mobile networks in Ireland and the UK run on the GSM standard, which sets out these codes. The double star at the start registers the number with the network.
- •Divert all calls: **21*NUMBER#
- •Divert when busy: **67*NUMBER#
- •Divert on no answer: **61*NUMBER#
- •Divert when unreachable: **62*NUMBER#
- •Check a divert: *#21#, *#67#, *#61# or *#62#
- •Cancel a divert: ##21#, ##67#, ##61# or ##62#
- •Cancel every divert at once: ##002#
The standard also has **004*NUMBER#, which sets busy, no answer and unreachable in one go, with ##004# to cancel. Not every network or handset accepts it, so if it doesn't take, set the three diverts one at a time.
Vodafone Ireland
Vodafone Ireland lists these codes on its calls, texts and voicemail support page:
- •Divert all calls: **21*NUMBER#
- •When busy: **67*NUMBER#
- •On no answer: **61*NUMBER#
- •When unreachable (phone off or out of coverage): **62*NUMBER#
- •To cancel: ##21#, ##67#, ##61# or ##62#
You can change how long the phone rings before a no-answer divert kicks in, anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds. Dial **61*NUMBER**SECONDS#, so **61*NUMBER**20# gives you 20 seconds to answer before the call moves on.
On cost, Vodafone says diverting calls to another number is 16c per call including VAT, and diverting to your Vodafone voicemail is free. Prepay customers need at least 15c credit for a divert to work. You can also text DIVERT to 51745 and Vodafone will send you the codes.
Three Ireland
I couldn't find a current Three Ireland help page for mobile divert codes that I could check, so start with the standard GSM codes above and check with Three if one doesn't work. Check your price plan for what a diverted call costs too.
If you have a Three business landline, Three's community support article gives *21*NUMBER# to set a divert and #21# to cancel it. It also says Variable Call Forwarding has to be switched on for the line first, by ringing the Three Technical Service Desk on 1800 800 002.
eir mobile
Same story with eir. I couldn't get eir's divert help pages to load in a form I could check, and I'm not going to print codes I haven't confirmed. eir mobile is a GSM network, so the standard codes above are the place to start. If one doesn't take, check with eir. Your plan will say whether diverted calls are charged.
Landlines in the Republic
Landline diverts depend on your provider and the type of line. Many lines use *21*NUMBER# to divert everything and #21# to cancel, but some need the feature switched on first, like the Three business landline above. Ring your provider before you rely on it.
If your landline can't divert on no answer, a common workaround is to divert all calls during the hours you're out on jobs and cancel it when you're back in the office.
Northern Ireland and UK networks
If you're on a UK SIM in the North, the same GSM codes apply.
Vodafone UK's help page lists **21*, **61*, **67* and **62* to set diverts, followed by the number and #. To turn one off you dial ## and the same two digits, for example ##61#, and ##002# cancels all diverts. Vodafone UK also says Pay as you go customers can only divert to voicemail. For EE, O2 and Three UK, use the standard GSM codes and check with your network if one doesn't work.
On a BT landline, BT's help page gives *21*NUMBER# for all calls, *67*NUMBER# when busy and *61*NUMBER# for no answer, which kicks in after 15 seconds. Cancel with #21#, #67# or #61#. BT says diverting to a BT mobile or BT home phone is free, and diverts to other numbers are charged at the standard rate for the number you divert to.
What diverting costs
Divert charges depend on your network and your plan. Vodafone Ireland charges 16c per call diverted to another number. Other plans count diverted calls against your minutes or bill them as a normal outgoing call. Before you divert your business line to a receptionist, a quick look at your plan or a call to your network saves a surprise on the bill.
Test it before you rely on it
- •Ring your number from another phone and let it ring out, to test no answer
- •Ring it while you're on another call, to test busy
- •Turn your phone off and ring again, to test unreachable
- •Dial *#61#, *#67# or *#62# to check each divert is set to the right number
If a test call doesn't land where you expect, use the check codes to see which number each divert is pointing at, set it again and test once more.
Using call divert with Ringvox
This is how Ringvox works for Irish businesses. You keep your own number, whether that's your mobile or a separate business number. You divert busy and unanswered calls, and unreachable too if you like, to the number we give you. You answer when you can. When you can't, the receptionist picks up in an Irish voice, takes the caller's name, what they need, the address with Eircode and a callback number, and sends you a summary on WhatsApp and by email within a couple of minutes.
If you want to hear what your callers would get before you change anything, ring the demo and hear it answer a call.
FAQ
Q: How do I divert calls on Vodafone Ireland?
A: Dial **21*NUMBER# to divert all calls, or **61*NUMBER# for calls you don't answer. Cancel with ##21# or ##61#.
Q: How do I set up call forwarding on eir?
A: eir mobile uses the GSM network, so start with the standard codes: **61*NUMBER# for no answer, **67*NUMBER# for busy and **62*NUMBER# for unreachable. If a code doesn't work, check with eir.
Q: How do I cancel all call diverts?
A: ##002# is the standard code for cancelling every divert, and Vodafone UK lists it on its help page. If it doesn't work on your network, cancel each divert with its own code.
Q: Does diverting calls cost money?
A: Often it does. Vodafone Ireland charges 16c per call diverted to another number. Check your plan or ask your network.
Q: Can I divert only the calls I don't answer?
A: Yes. Use the no-answer code, **61*NUMBER#. On Vodafone Ireland you can set the ring time to anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds.