Phone Star Code Reference

Updated: February 03, 2011

With the compliments of CompareBusinessProducts, here is a list of common phone 'star' codes. These are the phone instructions that start with an asterisk (*) that perform features like redailing the last number called.These codes are dialled before making a call in order to activate the particular function until the phone is hung up.

It is important to note that the codes do actually differ from system to system, so it is worth checking out the instructions for both your phone system and your phone service provider to see what is changed from the standard and more importantly, what extra options they may offer.

You can download a neat reference card of the most commonly available star codes in PDF format here.

We are going to break them down by function.

Caller ID

• *65 - activates caller ID on lines that do not have it - for one call
• *67 - deactivates caller ID on lines that have it for one call
• *77 - anonymous call rejection - rejects (bounces) a call from an anonymous number. Allows the phone to use a systemwide automatic message to reject anonymous calls without ringing.
• *82 - The nationally mandated code for CLID unblocking - this is supposed to work on any and every line regardless of setting - sort of an uber caller ID unblock.
• *85 - Caller ID disable - in other words the opposite of
• *87 turns it off.

Recent Calls

• *57 - initiates an official trace of the last caller even if anonymous. Intended for use to trace anonymous abusive calls - will notify the operator and initiate the trace.
• *69 - last number redial - lets the user automatically detect and redial the last number called on the phone. A favorite of detectives in mystery stories.
• *89 cancels.

Call Control

• *63 - selective forwarding - calls from certain numbers only are forwarded to another number.
• *70 - turn off call waiting for just this call (if you don't want the line iterruption that happens
• *72 - turn on call forwarding until it is turned off - lets you forward all calls automatically to another number.
  • *73 - turns it off
• *78 - turn on do not disturb mode
  • *79 - cancel it
• *90 - turn on call forwarding if line is busy - let's you specify another number that will be rung if the line is busy.
  • *91 - turns it off
• *92 - turn on call forwarding if there is no answer - lets you specify another number that will ring if the number doesn't answer.
  • *93 turns it off

There are additional codes used by some systems for call conferencing and for call screening, but these do tend to vary from system to system so the codes are less reliable. Please note that not all of the codes above will work on all systems but when they work they should perform the functions listed.