Call Forwarding Troubleshooter
Set up call forwarding so missed calls reach Deskie AI Reception on Australian mobile networks.
Before You Start
You need two things:
- Your Deskie number (provided during your demo call and in your setup SMS)
- A second phone to test with (a friend's mobile, partner's phone, or any other line)
All codes below are dialled from your phone's keypad like a regular call. Type the code exactly as shown (including the * and # symbols), then press Call.
Step 1: Find Your Network
Your phone brand (e.g., Samsung, iPhone) is not your provider. Find the provider you pay below; the table shows the host network it uses.
If you're not sure, check:
- iPhone: Settings > General > About > look for "Carrier" or "Network"
- Android: Settings > About Phone > look for "Network" or "SIM status"
Find your provider in the table below. If your provider isn't listed, contact them directly and ask: "How do I set up conditional call forwarding to an external number?"
Vodafone / TPG network exceptions
Vodafone postpaid, TPG, and iiNet normally support the all-conditional code below. Vodafone prepaid blocks forwarding to an external mobile, while some Vodafone-hosted brands have plan-specific restrictions.
felix: conditional forwarding to a mobile is not supported. You can use unconditional forwarding by dialling **21*+614XXXXXXXX#, but your phone will not ring first.
Kogan Mobile: external forwarding requires the paid Premier Access Bolt-On. Lebara: no external-mobile forwarding code is documented. Lyca Mobile: its host network and external-mobile forwarding path are unverified. For these plans, contact the provider or Deskie for help before changing plans.
| Your Provider | Host Network | Voicemail Access Number |
|---|---|---|
| ALDI Mobile | Telstra | 101 |
| amaysim | Optus | 321 |
| Aussie Broadband | Optus | 321 |
| Belong | Telstra | 101 |
| Boost | Telstra | 101 |
| Catch Connect / OnePass | Optus | 321 |
| Circles.Life | Optus | 321 |
| Coles Mobile | Optus | 321 |
| Dodo | Optus | 321 |
| Everyday / Woolworths Mobile | Telstra | 101 |
| Exetel | Telstra | 101 |
| felix | Vodafone / TPG | 121 |
| Gomo | Optus | 321 |
| iiNet | Vodafone / TPG | 121 |
| JB Hi-Fi Mobile | Telstra | 101 |
| Kogan Mobile | Vodafone / TPG | 121 |
| Lebara | Vodafone / TPG | 121 |
| Lyca Mobile | Contested / unverified | Check with provider |
| MATE | Contested / unverified | Check with provider |
| Moose Mobile | Optus | 321 |
| More | Telstra | 101 |
| numobile (now Tangerine) | Telstra | 101 |
| Optus | Optus | 321 |
| Pennytel | Optus | 321 |
| Southern Phone | Optus | 321 |
| SpinTel | Optus | 321 |
| Superloop | Telstra | 101 |
| Tangerine | Telstra | 101 |
| TeleChoice | Telstra | 101 |
| Telstra | Telstra | 101 |
| TPG | Vodafone / TPG | 121 |
| Vodafone (postpaid) | Vodafone / TPG | 121 |
| Vodafone (prepaid) | Vodafone / TPG | 121 |
The numbers 101, 321, and 121 open carrier voicemail menus; they do not cancel forwarding. Use ##002# first, then contact your provider if voicemail remains active.
Step 2: Cancel Your Voicemail
Why: If voicemail is active, it grabs your calls before Deskie can. Voicemail must be off first.
Option A (recommended): Universal clear
Dial ##002# and press Call.
This erases all conditional and unconditional diversions, including the voicemail diversion, in one step.
Important: it also erases any forwarding you previously set to another number.
Option B: Contact your provider
If ##002# does not remove voicemail, use the voicemail access number in the table above and follow the menu, or ask your provider to remove voicemail from your account.
How to confirm voicemail is off:
Call your own number from the second phone. Let it ring out fully (30+ seconds). If it rings and rings with no voicemail greeting, you're good. If you hear a voicemail message, go back and try Option B.
Step 3: Set Up Forwarding
Try the all-in-one code first. This sets up forwarding for all three scenarios (no answer, busy, no signal) in one go.
Dial:
**004*[YOUR DESKIE NUMBER IN +614 FORMAT]#
Example: **004*+61468000777#
Your phone should show a confirmation (e.g., "Call forwarding activated" or "Setting succeeded").
If it worked: Skip to Step 4 (Test It).
If it didn't work: Try the next section.
Step 3B: All-in-One Didn't Work
Some carriers or plans don't support **004*. Try these fixes in order:
Fix 1: Add 61 and drop the leading 0
Dial: **004*61[NUMBER WITHOUT LEADING ZERO]#
Example: **004*61468000777#
Fix 2: Set no-answer forwarding only
If the all-in-one code fails, try the documented no-answer form:
**61*+61468000777#
This forwards only when your phone rings out. The exact granular form still needs a live SIM test on some Telstra-network services.
Fix 3: Check your plan
If the no-answer form also fails, review the Vodafone / TPG exceptions above. ALDI Mobile and some Optus prepaid services also need enough PAYG credit to cover forwarded-call charges. Otherwise, contact your provider and ask whether your plan supports conditional forwarding to an external mobile number.
Want All Calls to Divert Immediately to Deskie?
If you're on holiday, in a busy period, or simply don't want your mobile to ring at all, you can switch on immediate call forwarding.
For most Australian mobile services, open your phone keypad and dial:
**21*[YOUR DESKIE NUMBER IN +614 FORMAT]#
Then press Call. This sends all incoming mobile calls straight to Deskie without your phone ringing.
When you want your phone to ring again before Deskie answers, dial ##21# and press Call. Then follow Step 3 above to switch back to missed-call, busy, or unreachable forwarding.
Step 4: Test It
- Get a second phone (friend's mobile, partner's phone, any other line)
- Call your business number from that phone
- Let it ring without answering
- After about 4-5 rings, Deskie should answer
If Deskie answered: You're done. Call forwarding is live.
The Decline button: With conditional forwarding active, pressing Decline on an incoming call sends the caller straight to Deskie.
If voicemail answered instead: Go back to Step 2. Your voicemail is still active.
If it just kept ringing with no answer: The forwarding codes didn't take. Go to Step 3B and try the next fix.
If you got an error message or the call dropped: See Troubleshooting below.
Adjusting Ring Time
Leave ring time at your carrier default during setup. These advanced forms vary by host network and still require a live SIM test on some services.
Telstra network
**61*[YOUR DESKIE NUMBER IN +614 FORMAT]**[SECONDS]#
Example (25 seconds): **61*+61468000777**25#. Telstra documents 15-30 seconds in 5-second steps, but this arbitrary-destination timer form needs a live SIM test.
Optus, amaysim, Coles, and other Optus MVNOs
**61*[YOUR DESKIE NUMBER IN +614 FORMAT]**[SECONDS]#
Example: **61*+61468000777**25#. Optus supports 5-30 seconds in 5-second steps, but its default time is unverified and the timer form needs a live SIM test. SpinTel publishes a single-asterisk variant that is likely a documentation error.
Vodafone / TPG network
Vodafone exposes no handset ring-time code; use the My Vodafone app or call 1555. TPG documents **61*121**[SECONDS]# for its voicemail destination, but this needs a live SIM test and is not a Deskie-destination timer.
Troubleshooting
Checking Your Current Settings
Dial *#004# to check all-conditional forwarding. Your phone will display whether no-answer, busy, and unreachable forwarding are registered.
Other checks documented in the carrier map:
- No answer: *#61#
- Unconditional forwarding: *#21#
Quick Reference
| What you want to do | Code |
|---|---|
| Cancel voicemail + all forwarding | ##002# |
| Forward all missed calls (one code) | **004*[DESKIE NUMBER IN +614 FORMAT]# |
| Forward on no answer only | **61*[DESKIE NUMBER IN +614 FORMAT]# |
| Forward all calls immediately | **21*[DESKIE NUMBER IN +614 FORMAT]# |
| Turn off immediate forwarding | ##21# |
| Check all-conditional forwarding | *#004# |
| Clear all conditional forwarding | ##004# |
| Cancel Deskie forwarding completely | ##002# |