How to divert calls to another number is a skill every South African professional needs in their toolkit. MTN’s 2024 network report flagged that 65% of its users dropped calls during load shedding blackouts last year—frustrating when a deal’s on the line. Vodacom, Telkom, and Cell C users face similar headaches. Luckily, these networks offer straightforward ways to reroute calls, whether someone’s on Android, iPhone, or a trusty Nokia.
This guide lays out every step, from phone settings to USSD codes, plus text forwarding tricks. It’s built for business owners, remote workers, and anyone who can’t miss a call. Let’s get to it.
Why Call Diversion Saves the Day in South Africa
South Africa’s networks aren’t flawless. Signal dips in rural stretches, power cuts kill cell towers, and meetings clog schedules. Call diversion steps in. A retailer in Soweto could bounce calls to a backup line during a blackout. A consultant in Sandton might redirect to an assistant while pitching a client. Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C all support this natively—no extra fees, just a few taps or a quick code. It’s not flashy. It’s practical. Texts can follow suit with some workarounds. Professionals stay reachable, no excuses.
How to Divert Calls to Another Number on Vodacom
Vodacom keeps it simple. Two options: phone settings or USSD codes. Android users start with the Phone app. Tap the three dots up top. Hit “Settings,” then “Calling Accounts.” Pick the SIM—Vodacom loves dual-SIM setups—and tap “Call Forwarding.” Four choices pop up: “Always Forward,” “Forward When Busy,” “Forward When Unanswered,” “Forward When Unreachable.” Select one, punch in the number (say, 0821234567), and tap “Turn On.” Takes ten seconds.
iPhone’s even slicker. Open “Settings.” Scroll to “Phone,” tap “Call Forwarding.” Toggle it on—green means go. Hit “Forward To,” type 0821234567, and press “Back.” Calls reroute instantly. A Vodacom shop owner in Durban could forward to their home line during a storm. Test it. Dial the original number from a mate’s phone. Rings through? Sorted.
USSD codes cut the fat. Dial *210821234567# for all calls. Busy? *670821234567#. Unanswered? *610821234567#. Unreachable? *620821234567#. Press “Call.” A message confirms it’s live. A truck driver on the N3 could divert to their dispatcher when signal fades. If it flops, check the number—082, not +2782. Vodacom’s network might hiccup during peak hours. Wait a beat, retry. Dial *#21# to see if it’s active.
Troubleshooting’s key. No signal? Forwarding won’t stick. Prepaid users, ensure airtime’s loaded—Vodacom sometimes blocks it otherwise. Dual SIM? Double-check the right line’s set. A quick call to 082135 sorts stubborn issues.
MTN Call Diversion: Step-by-Step
MTN’s setup mirrors Vodacom’s. Android: Phone app, three dots, “Settings,” “Calling Accounts,” “Call Forwarding.” Pick the condition—“Always Forward” for all calls—enter 0831234567, hit “Turn On.” iPhone: “Settings,” “Phone,” “Call Forwarding,” toggle on, add 0831234567. Done.
USSD codes match Vodacom’s: *210831234567# for all, **67# for busy, **61# for unanswered, **62# for unreachable. Press “Call.” An MTN freelancer in Pretoria could divert to their partner during a site visit. Test it—call the line. If it’s dead, signal’s likely weak. MTN’s rural coverage can falter. Retry or move closer to a tower.
Got a glitch? Restart the phone. MTN’s system occasionally lags after load shedding. Contract users might need to check plan perks—some exclude forwarding. Dial *#61# to confirm unanswered calls divert. It’s foolproof when it clicks.
Telkom Call Diversion Basics
Telkom’s no outlier. Android: Phone app, three dots, “Settings,” “Call Forwarding,” pick the option, type 0811234567, enable. iPhone: “Settings,” “Phone,” “Call Forwarding,” toggle on, enter 0811234567. Quick as that.
USSD: *210811234567# for all, **67# for busy, **61# for unanswered, **62# for unreachable. A Telkom farmer in the Free State could forward to their spouse when out of range. Test it. No luck? Telkom’s prepaid plans might restrict it—dial 081180 to unlock. Signal’s another culprit. Check bars before setup.
Cell C Call Diversion Done Right
Cell C’s in sync. Android: Phone app, three dots, “Settings,” “Call Forwarding,” select the condition, input 0841234567, activate. iPhone: “Settings,” “Phone,” “Call Forwarding,” toggle on, add 0841234567.
USSD: *210841234567# for all, **67# for busy, **61# for unanswered, **62# for unreachable. A Cell C tutor in PE could divert to their landline during class. Test it. Cell C’s network can stutter—reboot if it’s off. Prepaid users, top up airtime. Dial *#62# to verify unreachable status.
Text Forwarding on Android (Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C)
South African networks don’t forward texts natively. Android apps bridge the gap. SMS Forwarder’s a champ—grab it from Google Play. Open it, tap the plus icon, pick “Incoming SMS,” enter 0821234567, save. A Vodacom nurse could send patient texts to a colleague. IFTTT works too—search “SMS forwarding,” connect, set the number.
Manual route: Long-press the message, tap three dots, hit “Forward,” choose a contact, send. Slow but sure. Apps need permissions—grant them or they crash. Test it. Send a text. If it lands, it’s golden. Android 14 might fuss—check app updates.
iPhone Text Forwarding (All Networks)
iPhone’s locked to Apple devices with the same Apple ID. “Settings,” “Messages,” “Text Message Forwarding,” toggle on the device. An MTN exec could sync texts to their Mac. Manual: Hold the message, tap “More,” select, hit the arrow, send. Test it. No third-party numbers—Apple’s rules.
Canceling Call Diversion
Vodacom: ##21# for all, ##67# for busy, etc. MTN, Telkom, Cell C: Same. Android: “Call Forwarding,” “Turn Off.” iPhone: “Call Forwarding,” toggle off. Test it—call the line. Rings back? Done.
Checking Status
Dial *#21# for all calls, *#67# for busy, *#61# for unanswered, *#62# for unreachable. A message shows what’s active. Keep these handy.
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FAQs
Can calls divert across networks? Yes, Vodacom to Cell C works.
*What’s #21#? Checks all-call forwarding.
Texts forwardable? Android apps, yes; iPhone, Apple-only.
Conclusion: How to Divert Calls to Another Number
How to divert calls to another number is a lifeline for South African pros on Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C. Master it, test it, stay connected.
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