How to divert your phone to Answerwise

Three steps, about two minutes. Your phone still rings first. Answerwise only picks up the calls you can't.

Your Answerwise number: Type it in and every code on this page fills in with your number. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Step 1. Clear your voicemail and any old diverts

Dial ##002# and press call.

This switches off your network voicemail and anything set up before. Don't skip it: if voicemail is still on, it grabs the call before Answerwise can.

Step 2. Set the divert on your mobile

Works on EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and the networks that use them (giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, iD, Lebara and others). Use the full number starting 07.

What it does	Dial this, then press call
Not answered after 30 seconds (the main one)
You're already on a call
Phone off or no signal

Quicker option: sets all three in one go, but your phone rings for less time (about 15 to 20 seconds). Then dial the 30-second code above to give yourself longer to answer.

If your phone says the ring-time code didn't work, use instead. It works the same, just with your network's normal ring time.

Step 3. Test it

Ask someone to ring your usual number, or ring it from another phone.
Don't answer. After about 30 seconds, Answerwise should pick up in your business name.
Give a pretend job and hang up. Within a minute you get the text and email.

To check what's set, dial *#61#. Your phone shows the number calls go to.

Business landlines (BT and most other providers)

What it does	Dial	To switch off
Not answered (after about 15 seconds)		#61#
Line engaged		#67#
Everything (holidays)		#21#

On a landline it's one star, not two. Sky, Virgin and TalkTalk lines usually use the same codes. If yours doesn't, the setting is in your account online.

0800 numbers, "ghost" numbers and phone systems

If those numbers already ring your mobile, you're done: the mobile divert above covers them.

If they ring a phone system (RingCentral, 3CX, Vonage, Gamma, BT Cloud Voice and similar), set it in the provider's online portal, or ask them: "Please send unanswered calls to [your Answerwise number] after 30 seconds."

If something's not right

It still goes to voicemail: do Step 1 again, then Step 2.
It rings, then cuts off: the ring time is fighting another setting. Dial ##002#, then only .
On an iPhone: type the codes on the keypad in the Phone app. Don't use Settings › Phone › Call Forwarding: that sends every call away, so your phone never rings.
Cost: diverted calls go to a UK 07 number, which most business plans include in their minutes. Check yours if you're on a limited plan.
Still stuck? Text 07481 342968 with your network and what happens, and we'll sort it with you.

To switch Answerwise off

Dial ##002# on a mobile, or #61# then #67# on a landline. Your phone goes back to normal straight away.

Not using Answerwise yet? Ring 07481 342968 and pretend you're a customer to hear it take a call. £39 a month, no contract, first 7 days free.
answerwise.co.uk

Answerwise, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. These are the standard UK network divert codes. Networks occasionally change their menus, so if a code is refused, check with your network. Last checked September 2026.