Feature codes are simple ways to access common features on a phone system. You simply dial the feature code to access that particular dial-plan feature, for example *72 would be to enable call forwarding.
These codes are powerful short-cuts to access features inside your phone system without having to use a Web browser to access the feature in your account or having to contact your phone service provider. Even landline phone service will have most of these basic feature codes and if you have VoIP service it will usually have a much more extensive set of feature codes, though be aware these often vary between each VoIP provider.
In this guide we will detail the most common feature codes and then highlight some more advanced dial-plan feature codes found in some other phone systems.
Common Feature Codes
In the table below you will find some of the most common dialplan feature codes. These are available in most phone systems, even traditional landline systems such as the ones that companies like Verizon and AT&T provide for your home.
| Feature Code | Feature Description |
|---|---|
| *60 | Activate a call block on the last call that came in. |
| *66 | Redial the last outbound call when it is busy. |
| *67 | For privacy, this will block your Caller ID name and number. |
| *69 | Return a call to the last person that called in. |
| *70 | Cancel call waiting. Usually call waiting is enabled by default. |
| *71 | Enable call waiting. |
| *72 | Forward all calls to the phone number entered after the feature code. |
| *73 | Cancel call forwarding. |
| *77 | Block all anonymous calls. |
| *78 | Activate Do Not Disturb (DND). |
| *79 | De-activate Do Not Disturb (DND). |
| *80 | Deactivate a call block on the last call (i.e. paired with *60). |
| *86 | Cancel the redial when busy (i.e. paired with *66). |
| *97 | Access your own voicemail box. |
| *98 | Access ANY voicemail box (PBX feature). |
Advanced Feature Codes
We will now detail some less common feature codes that are found on most open-source PBX (Private Branch eXchange) systems that are Asterisk or Freeswitch based. These codes often vary by provider so the goal here is really to make you aware that such a feature code exists. We recommend you ask your phone service provider about these feature codes if they are of interest to you.
| Advanced Feature Code | Feature Description |
|---|---|
| **[ext] | Directed call pick-up pre-fix. Append extension you wish to pick-up. |
| *0[ext] | Speed-dial prefix. Setup multiple speed dials. |
| *1 or *2 | Toggle call recording when in a call. |
| *21 | Find me, Follow me. Toggle on and off. eg follow calls to cell phone. |
| *33[ext] | Eavesdrop prefix. Follow this with the extension for eavesdropping. Good for training purposes. |
| *411 | Internal extension phonebook directory. |
| *43 or *9195 or *9196 | Echo test or delay echo test (good test for audio issues). |
| *5900 to *5999 | Call parking and retrieval. Various methods such as valet and fixed. |
| *60 or *9170 or *9171 or *9172 | Speaking clock (and date where applicable). |
| *724 | Page one or more extensions depending on configuration. |
| *8 | Group call intercept. |
| *80 or *8[ext] | Intercom/Paging prefix. Add extension number to send to a specific extension. |
| *925 | Configure wake-up calls. |
| *99 | Prefix for sending a call to voicemail. eg *99100 will send to the voicemail for extension 100 |
Final Thoughts
Feature codes can be very powerful short-cuts to access specific features of your phone system by simply dialing the code into your phone. Being able to forward all calls to your cell phone at the end of the day by dialing *72 is very useful.
This guide highlighted some common features codes used by most phone systems, whether they are older landline technology or more advanced VoIP PBX systems. We also detailed some more advanced codes used by popular open source PBX systems.
If you have questions or would like to suggest some feature codes you use please let us know using the comment form below.
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