# *71[number] on iPhone: Forward Only When Busy Or Unanswered (Verizon) URL: https://byshahid.com/blog/forward-only-when-busy-or-unanswered-verizon-star-71-number-iphone/ App: Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322) Author: Muhammad Shahid Updated: 2026-11-04 > *71[number]: Ring your iPhone first, then hand the call on. Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit destination number. Calls ring your iPhone first and are only forwarded if the line is busy or you do not answer — the North-American equivalent of the GSM busy / no-answer rules. - **Code:** *71[number] - **What it does:** Ring your iPhone first, then hand the call on. - **Published for:** Verizon - **Type:** Carrier specific Ring your iPhone first, then hand the call on. This page explains what `*71[number]` does, how to use it on an iPhone and which carriers it applies to. I build **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier**, a free iPhone app with 317 checked codes and guides, including this one. If you would rather tap than memorise, [get Secret Codes on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322). ## What does *71[number] do? Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit destination number. Calls ring your iPhone first and are only forwarded if the line is busy or you do not answer — the North-American equivalent of the GSM busy / no-answer rules. **Important:** Because voicemail is itself a no-answer rule, setting *71 can stop unanswered calls reaching your mailbox. Dial *73 to restore normal behaviour. ## How do I use *71[number]? - Open the Phone app and tap Keypad. - Type *71[number], replacing [number] with the full phone number, including the area code. - Press the green Call button. ## Which carriers does this apply to? | Published for | Verizon | | Type | Carrier specific | | Good to know | Verizon. UScellular support for *71 varies by market and plan. | _Screenshot: The Secret Codes detail screen shows the steps, the carriers and an Open in Phone button._ ## Related call forwarding codes - [*73: Turn Off Call Forwarding (Verizon / UScellular)](/blog/turn-off-call-forwarding-verizon-uscellular-star-73-iphone/) - [Call Forwarding In Settings](/blog/call-forwarding-in-settings-iphone/) - [*72[number]: Turn On Call Forwarding (Verizon / UScellular)](/blog/turn-on-call-forwarding-verizon-uscellular-star-72-number-iphone/) - [**004*[number]#: Set All Conditional Forwarding](/blog/set-all-conditional-forwarding-star-star-004-star-number-iphone/) - [*#004#: Check Conditional Forwarding](/blog/check-conditional-forwarding-star-hash-004-iphone/) - [##004#: Erase Conditional Forwarding Only](/blog/erase-conditional-forwarding-only-hash-hash-004-iphone/) See all [call forwarding codes](/blog/iphone-codes/call-forwarding/) or [every category of iPhone codes](/blog/iphone-codes/). ## How Secret Codes helps Secret Codes keeps this and every other entry a search away. Pick your carrier once and each entry says whether it is published for your line. You can save favourites, add a private note, and record whether a code worked on your line. **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier** is free on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322 ## FAQ ### What does *71[number] do on iPhone? Ring your iPhone first, then hand the call on. Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit destination number. Calls ring your iPhone first and are only forwarded if the line is busy or you do not answer — the North-American equivalent of the GSM busy / no-answer rules. ### What are the steps for *71[number]? 1. Open the Phone app and tap Keypad. 2. Type *71[number], replacing [number] with the full phone number, including the area code. 3. Press the green Call button. ### Where do I use *71[number]? On the keypad of the Phone app. ### How do I add the number to *71[number]? Replace [number] with the full phone number, including the area code, then press Call. ### Is *71[number] a hidden or secret code? No. It is a published service, not a hidden menu. iPhones do not have Android-style engineering menus. ### Which carriers does *71[number] work on? It is published for Verizon. Verizon. UScellular support for *71 varies by market and plan. ### Is there anything to watch out for with *71[number]? Because voicemail is itself a no-answer rule, setting *71 can stop unanswered calls reaching your mailbox. Dial *73 to restore normal behaviour. ### Does *71[number] work on Android phones too? It is handled by the carrier or service rather than the iPhone, so it is not tied to one phone brand. Check with your carrier. ### Will *71[number] work outside the US? It is published for US carriers and services, so do not count on it abroad. Ask your carrier before you travel. ### What if *71[number] does not work on my iPhone? Check that it applies to your carrier first, because carriers decide which services they offer and can change them. If it should apply to your line, contact your carrier. ### What is related to *71[number]? *73: Turn Off Call Forwarding (Verizon / UScellular). Cancel forwarding set with *72 or *71. ### What else is in this category? Call Forwarding In Settings. iOS has a built-in switch for forwarding on GSM networks. ## Sources - [3GPP TS 22.030: Man-Machine Interface of the phone](https://www.3gpp.org/dynareport/22030.htm) - [Verizon Support](https://www.verizon.com/support/)