How to Set Up Call Forwarding to an Answering Machine

See also: How to Forward Calls on Android | How to Forward Calls on iPhone

To send unanswered calls to Heilo's answering machine, set conditional forwarding with your carrier to the destination number shown in your Heilo dashboard. The quickest way is a keypad code such as **61*number# (when you don't answer). Callers still dial your number; if you don't pick up, they hear your greeting and leave a message, and you get the recording, the text and a summary.

Below are the steps for iPhone and Android.

What is Conditional Forwarding (Unanswered/Busy)

Conditional forwarding is a phone feature that automatically forwards a call to another number only when:

• You don't answer (e.g., busy, phone in pocket)
• You're talking with someone else (line busy)
• Phone is off or out of range

For customer: Nothing changes. Calls your number as usual.

For you: When you can't answer, call automatically goes to Heilo — without your intervention.

Important: This is NOT unconditional forwarding (where all calls go to another number). You still answer normally, and the call goes to Heilo only when you can't answer.

Step by Step: iPhone (iOS)

Option 1: Through Settings (All Calls)

1. Go to Settings Gray icon with gears on home screen.

2. Find "Phone" Tap Apps, then Phone (on older iOS, tap Phone directly).

3. Tap "Call Forwarding"

4. Enable switch Move slider so it lights up green.

5. Enter the Heilo number "Forward To" field appears. Enter the Heilo number with the country code, exactly as the Heilo dashboard shows it after registration.

6. Save Tap "< Phone" in top left corner. Done!

Note: the switch in iOS settings forwards all calls, so your phone stops ringing (Apple Support, checked 19 October 2026). To send only unanswered calls to Heilo, use option 2.

Option 2: Keypad Code (Unanswered Calls Only)

1. Open Phone App Green handset icon.

2. Select "Keypad" Bottom bar.

3. Enter code: **61*[Heilo_number]# Example: **61*+48123456789#

4. Press green handset Your phone shows the network's reply; the wording depends on the carrier.

What this code does: Forwards calls when you don't answer for the time set by your carrier.

To disable: ##61# → green handset.

Step by Step: Android (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.)

Option 1: Through Settings

1. Open Phone App Green handset icon.

2. Tap three dots (⋮) Top right corner of screen.

3. Select "Settings" From menu.

4. Find "Call Forwarding" Sometimes in: Calling accounts → More settings → Call forwarding.

5. Tap "Voice calls"

6. Select forwarding type:

• "When unanswered" — most universal (recommended for Heilo)
• "When busy" — if you want the call to go to Heilo while you're talking with someone else
• "When unreachable" — when phone off/out of range

7. Enter the Heilo number Confirm with "Enable" or "Update" button.

Done!

Option 2: Keypad Codes

1. Open number keypad

2. Enter code:

• When unanswered: **61*[Heilo_number]#
• When busy: **67*[Heilo_number]#
• When out of range: **62*[Heilo_number]#

3. Press green handset

Example: **61*+48123456789# → confirm

To disable: ##61# (for unanswered) → green handset.

To check status: *#61# → shows if forwarding is active.

Setting Up the Answering Machine in Heilo

Step 1: Registration Create an account at heilo.io and choose a plan on the pricing page. The answering machine is the Heilo Voicemail plan; voicemail is also included in Heilo Select. In the dashboard, add the number whose unanswered calls should go to Heilo.

Step 2: Configure Greeting In the Heilo dashboard, write greeting text (e.g., "Welcome to Company X, leave message, we'll call back"), pick a voice-over artist, or upload or record your own greeting.

Step 3: Set Forwarding The Heilo dashboard shows the destination number and the codes for your carrier. Set forwarding with one of the methods above (iPhone or Android).

Step 4: Test Call your number from a different phone, don't answer — you'll hear your Heilo greeting. Leave a test message and check that it appears in the dashboard (recording, text and summary) and that the SMS notification arrived, if you turned it on.

Forwarding captures only messages left in the voicemail box. A call you answer is not recorded.

What Does It Cost?

Heilo Voicemail covers messages after missed calls: recording, text, summary, SMS notification, greetings and a greeting schedule. Billing is monthly and VAT is added at payment. Fair use is 500 recorded minutes per number per month; it is informational and blocks no calls. Your carrier may charge for forwarded calls, especially to a number abroad.

To record calls you answer as well, there are two higher plans. Heilo Select keeps your number and lets you add Heilo to a call; it needs conference calling and records from the moment Heilo joins. Heilo Line is a +48 business number for each rep: inbound calls and outbound calls placed with "Call via Heilo" are recorded automatically, with transcript, summary, tasks and the call coach, and once you set up an integration the API, webhooks, Zapier or Make send the results to your CRM. See business voicemail, the call assistant and the pricing page.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Does forwarding work on all networks?

With most carriers, yes, but code support depends on the carrier, the plan and the line type. Some lines, such as VoIP or virtual-operator plans, may not accept keypad codes; then set forwarding in the carrier's customer portal or through its support.

Do I have to pay for forwarding?

Depends on carrier and plan. Your carrier may charge for the call from your number to the destination number, even on an unlimited plan. Check your carrier's price list.

How to check if forwarding is active?

Enter code *#61# on keypad (unanswered) or *#21# (all) and press green handset. You'll see forwarding status and number calls are forwarded to.

What if I want to disable Heilo?

Disable forwarding with code: ##61# (unanswered) or ##21# (all) → green handset. Your phone returns to normal operation without forwarding. Turning off forwarding does not cancel your Heilo subscription.

Can I set forwarding only after hours?

Not directly through phone, but you can do it manually: enable forwarding evening (code **61*...) and disable morning (##61#). Or use automation (e.g., Shortcuts on iOS, Tasker on Android). In Heilo you can also set a greeting schedule by hours; forwarding itself is still switched on with your carrier.