Call forwarding when unanswered in Germany

“I'm on a job, the phone rings: and later there's nobody to call back.” Conditional call forwarding (German: Rufumleitung bei Nichtmelden) fixes that: your phone rings first, and only if you don't pick up does the call go on. Your number stays the same.

Forward to what? To the Meldedirekt AI assistant: it answers in German, Russian or Ukrainian, asks what the caller needs and sends you the request in English, in Telegram, by email or SMS. From €39 a month, first 14 days free.

Send a request

Vodafone (mobile)

On: **61*number#, with a delay, e.g. 20 seconds: **61*number**20# (5-30 s in steps of 5)
Off: #61#

Source: Vodafone Service-Codes, row “Wenn keine Antwort erfolgt”, checked 11.10.2026.

Telekom (mobile)

On: **61*number#, with a delay of 5-30 s: **61*number**20#
Off: ##61# · delete all forwardings: ##002#

Source: Telekom Mobilfunk-Steuercodes, checked 22.10.2026.

One code for all cases

**61* only works when you don't pick up. If you are on another call or your phone is off, the call goes nowhere. This code forwards in all three cases: **004*number**20# (your phone rings 20 seconds first), off: ##004#. Source: Vodafone Service-Codes, row “alle bedingten Anrufumleitungen”.

Forward toWait seconds

Code for your mobile-Off##004#

Type the code into your phone app and press call. We don't give it as a link: iPhone blocks links that switch on call forwarding, a protection against fraud.

Telekom landline (MagentaZuhause)

In Telekom's web Telefoniecenter: pick the number → Anrufweiterleitung. Or on the phone: *61*number# (one star at the start, wait for the announcement); with a time value *61*number*value#. Switch off in the Telefoniecenter. Source: Telekom Hilfe, updated 13.02.2026.

FRITZ!Box

Telefonie → Rufbehandlung → Rufumleitung → add a new forwarding (AVM help, German).

iPhone: why the settings don't do it

Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding forwards all calls: your iPhone stops ringing. Conditional forwarding is set up by your network operator, per code (Apple Support). Type the code into the Phone app yourself, iPhone blocks links that switch on call forwarding.

AI phone assistant in Germany: the caller speaks German, the business owner gets the request in Telegram or by email

Questions

Does my number stay the same?

Yes. Calls only go on if nobody picks up.

How do I switch it off?

The all-cases code: ##004#. Vodafone: #61#. Telekom mobile: ##61# (all at once: ##002#). FRITZ!Box: in the same Rufumleitung menu.

Does call forwarding cost extra?

That depends on your tariff, check your operator's price list.

Does the assistant speak English?

It speaks German, Russian and Ukrainian with callers, and sends the request to you in English (or German, Russian).

Codes for Vodafone, Telekom and O2: check and turn off voicemail.
What an AI receptionist costs: prices and calculator.
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