How to Divert Calls and Get Notifications for Safaricom, Airtel & Telkom Users (2024 Update)

Managing incoming calls effectively is not just a convenience; it's a necessity. Whether you're a business professional juggling client calls, a busy parent needing some quiet time, or simply someone who values their peace, the ability to divert calls and receive notifications is a game changer. This capability, offered by Kenya's leading telecom providers - Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom- ensures you take advantage of every important call while maintaining control over your time and attention.

Imagine you're in an important meeting, driving, or enjoying a well-deserved vacation. In these moments, constantly interrupted by phone calls can be distracting, if not disruptive. However, the fear of missing crucial calls can also be unsettling. This is where call diversion steps in as a practical solution. You can focus on the present task without the anxiety of missing essential calls by redirecting your calls to voicemail or another number.

Moreover, with the added feature of receiving notifications, you're always informed about who tried to reach you, enabling you to return calls at your convenience. This blend of control and awareness is not just a convenience; it's an intelligent way to manage your digital lifestyle.

Each telecom provider in Kenya - Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom - offers unique codes and settings for call diversion and notifications. The processes, though straightforward, can vary slightly from one provider to another. This article will delve into these variations, providing a detailed guide on managing incoming calls for each service.

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What Is Call Diversion?

Call diversion, also known as call forwarding, is a feature that allows mobile phone users to redirect incoming calls to another phone number or voicemail. This service is beneficial in various scenarios, such as when you cannot answer calls, in a meeting, or when your phone is switched off. Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom in Kenya offer call diversion services, but the process and capabilities may differ slightly between these providers.

The Basics of Call Diversion

Before diving into the specifics of each telecom provider, it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of call diversion. This feature works by forwarding incoming calls to a predetermined number - your voicemail, another mobile phone, or a landline. The key here is flexibility; you can choose where and when your calls are forwarded, ensuring you don't miss important calls while keeping distractions at bay.

Benefits of Call Diversion

• Flexibility: Redirect calls to different numbers based on your current situation.
• Availability: Ensure important calls are noticed, especially in urgent situations.
• Privacy: Avoid unwanted calls by diverting them to voicemail or another number.
• Professionalism: For business users, calls can be forwarded to an office or a colleague, ensuring business continuity.

Understanding Provider-Specific Features

1. Safaricom Call Diversion

• Safaricom offers various options for call diversion, including when your phone is off, when you're on another call, or when you're unreachable.
• The service is activated by dialling specific codes, such as *67 or *62, followed by the number you wish to forward calls to and #.
• The effectiveness of this feature hinges on understanding the appropriate code to use in each situation.

2. Airtel Call Diversion

• Airtel also provides similar call-forwarding services.
• The process involves dialling a code, like 62, followed by the number where calls should be forwarded.
• Airtel's service stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, offering an intuitive approach to call management.

3. Telkom Call Diversion

• Telkom, like the others, allows for call forwarding under various circumstances.
• The process is similar, involving dialling a code followed by the desired forwarding number.
• Telkom's service is known for its reliability and seamless integration into the user's telecom experience.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Divert Calls

Call diversion, an indispensable feature for mobile users, can be activated through various methods depending on your network provider. This section will explore detailed guides for setting up call diversion for Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom users. Each provider offers a range of options to cater to different needs, from diverting to voicemail to forwarding to another number.

Safaricom Call Diversion

Safaricom provides several options for call diversion:

1. Diverting All Incoming Calls:

• To divert all calls, dial *21 followed by the number you want to divert the calls to, and then #.
• To check if it's active, dial *#21#.
• For deactivation, dial ##21#.

2. Diverting When Busy:

• Dial 67 followed by the number, then #.
• To check, dial *#67#.
• To deactivate, dial ##67#.

3. Diverting When Unreachable:

• Dial 62 followed by the number, then #.
• Check the status with *#62#.
• Deactivate by dialing ##62#.

4. Diverting When There Is No Reply:

• Use 61 followed by the number, then #.
• Check with *#61#.
• To deactivate, dial ##61#.

Airtel Call Diversion

Airtel users can also manage their incoming calls efficiently:

1. General Call Diversion:

• Dial 21, followed by the number you wish to forward your calls to, then #.
• To check the status, dial *#21#.
• For deactivation, dial ##21#.

2. Diverting When Unreachable or Phone is Off:

• Use 62 followed by the number, then #.
• Check the status with *#62#.
• To deactivate, dial ##62#.

3. Diverting When Busy:

• Dial 67 followed by the number, then #.
• To check, dial *#67#.
• Deactivate by dialing ##67#.

4. Diverting When There Is No Answer:

• Use 61 followed by the number, then #.
• Check with *#61#.
• To deactivate, dial ##61#.

Telkom Call Diversion

Telkom's call diversion works similarly:

1. Diverting All Calls:

• Dial 21 followed by the number, then #.
• To check, dial *#21#.
• Deactivate with ##21#.

2. Diverting When Unreachable:

• Use 62 followed by the number, then #.
• Check status with *#62#.
• To deactivate, dial ##62#.

3. Diverting When Busy:

• Dial 67 followed by the number, then #.
• To check, dial *#67#.
• Deactivate by dialing ##67#.

4. Diverting When There Is No Answer:

• Use 61 followed by the number, then #.
• Check with *#61#.
• To deactivate, dial ##61#.

Managing Notifications and Alerts

In addition to call diversion, managing notifications for missed and diverted calls is critical to mobile communication. This feature ensures that you are promptly informed about missed calls, allowing you to respond swiftly. Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom each offer methods to manage these notifications, enhancing your ability to stay connected even when you can't take a call immediately.

Safaricom Call and SMS Notifications

1. Missed Call Alerts:

• Safaricom provides an "I tried calling you" message for missed calls when your phone is off or out of coverage.
• This service is automatic and does not require activation.

2. Voicemail Notifications:

• When calls are diverted to voicemail, Safaricom sends a notification informing you of new voicemail messages.
• To listen to your voicemails, dial 132 or 111.

4. Customizing Notifications:

• You can personalize your voicemail settings, including the greeting message.
• The default voicemail password is 1234, which you can change for added security.

Airtel Call and SMS Notifications

1. Voicemail Service:

• Airtel's voicemail service notifies you of missed calls when your phone is unreachable or switched off.
• To activate, dial 555 or send "SUB VMS" to 555.

2. Retrieving Voicemail Messages:

• To listen to your voicemails, dial 555 or 0733105555.

3. Voicemail Management:

• Airtel allows you to manage voicemail settings, including greetings and passwords.

Telkom Call and SMS Notifications

1. Voicemail Notifications:

• Telkom notifies users of missed calls through their voicemail service.
• Dial 123 to access your voicemail.

2. Customizing Voicemail Settings:

• Set up and personalize your voicemail through the phone's call settings.
• Change the default PIN sent via SMS for secure access to your voicemails.

 FAQs

Can you divert calls and messages to another number?

• For calls, yes, you can divert them to another number. However, this is only possible if Kenyan telecommunication companies consider messages private.

How much does call divert cost for Airtel Kenya?

• Airtel Kenya charges the diverted line for all incoming calls. The caller does not incur any costs. Airtel collects a fee of Ksh 15 and a call rate of Ksh 10 per minute. Diverting a call to a different carrier, like Safaricom, incurs Ksh 25 for call forwarding. Note that Airtel will only forward calls if your number has enough credit.

How do you activate call divert using a dial code on Airtel Kenya?

• You can activate call divert by dialling *002 followed by the number you want to divert to, and then #.

How do you deactivate call divert on Airtel Kenya?

• To deactivate the call divert, dial ##002# and press OK. Alternatively, you can remove the diverted number from your phone's settings.

How can you use Airtel Kenya's Voicemail Service if you need more funds to divert calls?

• Send "SUB VMS" to 555 to subscribe. Call 555 or +254733105555 to activate voicemail. Use the code 62+25473310555# and press OK to enable voicemail. To deactivate, call the same numbers or send "UBSUB VMS" to 555.

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Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we've explored the various aspects of call diversion and notification management across these three major network providers. We've seen how Safaricom offers a range of options for call diversion, whether you're busy, unreachable, or on another call. It also ensures you're always in the loop with automatic missed call notifications. Airtel provides similar functionalities, emphasizing the ease of setting up call divert through simple dial codes and the convenience of managing voicemail services. Maintaining the trend, Telkom offers reliable and user-friendly call diversion options, ensuring no call goes unattended.

As we wrap up, it's worth noting that while call diversion and notification services are handy, they are also a responsibility. Users should respect privacy and decide where and how calls are diverted.