Traditional landlines handle missed calls with two features: call forwarding on no answer and call forwarding on busy. Point both at your TextbackFast number and every caller who does not reach you gets a text.
The numbers behind missed calls
Sources: 411 Locals study; CallRail 2025 survey.
Busy and no-answer forwarding are usually separate features with separate codes.
Check with your phone company first
Landline forwarding codes depend on your phone company and your area, and some lines need the feature added to your service before the codes work. Verizon, for example, notes that on some lines busy and no-answer forwarding is a fixed setting that only the business office can change (Verizon support). Call your provider and ask for "call forwarding busy" and "call forwarding no answer" to your TextbackFast number.
Common star codes
Verizon publishes these codes for its home and business lines (Verizon star codes, Verizon Business Digital Voice):
| Feature | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Forward on no answer | *92 | *93 |
| Forward on busy | *90 | *91 |
| Forward all calls (not for TextbackFast) | *72 | *73 |
AT&T's business voice service uses *92 and *93 for no answer too (AT&T feature codes). Other phone companies may use different codes.
Hear it for yourself
Call our demo line, let it ring, and get a text back in seconds.
Steps
- Pick up the landline and listen for a dial tone.
- Dial
*92.When you hear a tone or prompt, dial your 10-digit TextbackFast number. Some systems ask you to press#at the end. - Wait for the confirmation tone or message, then hang up.
- Repeat with
*90for busy calls.
Avoid "forward all calls"
*72 forwards every call before your phone rings. Use it only if you want TextbackFast to answer everything, which is rarely what you want.
Test it
- Call your business line from a cell and let it ring out.
- You should get your TextbackFast text within seconds.
- No text?Your line may not have the feature turned on. Call your phone company and ask them to add busy and no-answer forwarding.
Questions, answered.
Does every landline support this?
Most do, but some phone companies charge for it or need to add it to your line first. Ask your provider.
How many rings before it forwards?
It depends on your provider, often four to six rings. Some providers let you change it.
How do I turn it off?
Dial the turn-off code, such as *93 for no answer and *91 for busy on Verizon lines.