If you are a UK tradesperson using an AI receptionist like VoxMate, or thinking about using one, call forwarding is the key step that makes it work. You forward your existing mobile number to the VoxMate number, and VoxMate answers when you cannot pick up.
The good news: it takes about 60 seconds and does not require any apps or settings menus. You dial a short code directly from your phone's keypad.
This guide covers every major UK network — EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, and iD Mobile — with the exact codes to activate and deactivate no-answer forwarding.
Important: VoxMate uses no-answer forwarding, not unconditional forwarding. This means your phone rings first — VoxMate only answers if you don't pick up after a few rings. The codes below set up no-answer forwarding (*61). Do not use *21 (unconditional forwarding) — that would forward every call without your phone ringing first.
Before you start: write down or screenshot the deactivation code for your network. You can turn forwarding off instantly at any time by dialling it.
Before you start — what you need
- Your existing UK mobile number (you are keeping this — callers still ring your normal number)
- The VoxMate number assigned to your account (found in your account settings after signup)
- Two minutes
You do not need to change your phone number. You do not need to tell your customers anything. Your number stays exactly the same — your phone still rings first, and calls only route through VoxMate when you cannot answer.
EE
To forward calls when you don't answer:
Dial: **61*[your VoxMate number]#
Then press the green call button. Wait for the confirmation message.
Example: if your VoxMate number is 07476 962567, you dial:
**61*07476962567# then press call.
To deactivate no-answer forwarding:
Dial: ##61#
Then press the green call button. Forwarding stops immediately.
O2
To forward calls when you don't answer:
Dial: **61*[your VoxMate number]#
Then press the green call button.
To deactivate no-answer forwarding:
Dial: ##61#
Then press the green call button.
Alternatively on O2: go to Settings on your phone → Phone → Call Forwarding and manage it from the settings menu if you prefer a visual interface.
Vodafone
To forward calls when you don't answer (after around 4 rings):
Dial: **61*[your VoxMate number]#
Then press the green call button. You should hear a confirmation tone or see a message on screen.
To deactivate no-answer forwarding:
Dial: ##61#
Then press the green call button.
Note for Vodafone users: if you are on a very old Vodafone plan or a business contract, contact Vodafone to confirm call diversion is enabled on your account — some older business plans have it disabled by default.
Three
To forward calls when you don't answer:
Dial: **61*[your VoxMate number]#
Then press the green call button.
To deactivate no-answer forwarding:
Dial: ##61#
Then press the green call button.
Three users: you may see a brief delay (up to 30 seconds) before the confirmation appears. This is normal on the Three network. The forwarding is active as soon as you see the confirmation.
iD Mobile
iD Mobile uses the same codes as Three (iD Mobile operates on the Three network).
To forward calls when you don't answer:
Dial: **61*[your VoxMate number]#
Then press the green call button.
To deactivate no-answer forwarding:
Dial: ##61#
Then press the green call button.
Other networks (Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, SMARTY, giffgaff)
These networks operate on the EE, O2, or Three network infrastructure. The same codes work:
- Activate no-answer forwarding:
**61*[your VoxMate number]# - Deactivate:
##61#
If the code does not work, contact your network provider and ask them to enable call diversion on your account.
How to check if it is working
After setting up forwarding, call your own number from a different phone (borrow a colleague's or use a second device). Let it ring — do not answer. After a few rings, the call should route to VoxMate and you should hear the VoxMate greeting. If you hear your own voicemail instead, the no-answer forwarding has not activated — try the code again or check you entered the VoxMate number correctly.
With VoxMate, you can also call the demo number to hear how the greeting sounds before forwarding is set up: 07476 962567.
Turning it off when you are back at your desk
The deactivation code is ##61# on all major UK networks. Dial it from your keypad and press the green call button. No-answer forwarding stops immediately — every call now comes straight to your phone with no VoxMate fallback.
VoxMate also shows the deactivation code prominently in your account settings and includes it in every weekly WhatsApp digest so you always have it to hand.
Why no-answer forwarding, not unconditional forwarding?
VoxMate is a safety net for the calls you cannot get to. It is not designed to replace you answering the phone yourself. When you can pick up, you should — nothing beats a real conversation with the tradesperson doing the work.
That's why we recommend **61* (forward on no answer) rather than an unconditional forward that would route every call away before your phone rings. Your phone rings first for a few seconds. If you can answer, you do. If you can't — because you're up a ladder, under a sink, in a loft, driving between jobs, or asleep — VoxMate picks up and captures the lead.
If you ever want to force every call to VoxMate temporarily (for example, if you're going to be uncontactable all day), you can. But most VoxMate users leave no-answer forwarding on permanently and forget about it. Your phone still rings for the calls you can take. VoxMate catches everything else.
Ready to try it?
VoxMate answers in your business name when you can't pick up, captures the caller's details, and sends the lead straight to your WhatsApp within 30 seconds.
Call 07476 962567 to hear what your customers would hear. Or start your £1 trial at voxmate.co.uk — £1 for 30 days, then £49/month.
VoxMate is a product of Bloomorbit Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. ICO registered. hello@voxmate.co.uk