I have a 2 handset GE cordless 25932EE2. Both handsets work great individually, BUT when we answer an incoming call with one phone, we can't use both handsets at the same time (for the same call). In addition, if we answer an incoming call with one handset and then pick up the second handset, the screen says "unavailable" and the call is disconnected.

Do you mean the GE DECT 6.0 30524 corded/cordless phone? For this landline telephone, you can switch a call from one handset to another (or the base) by using the Intercom feature. Press del/int on the handset or Int on the base and choose a handset number (use the CID +/ phonebook -) buttons (if multiple handsets are registered) or select base from the handset. Press Menu/OK to page the other handset or base. Once that device answers the incoming Intercom call, press and hold Del/Int or Int to create a conference call (both handsets or handset and base listening). Press Del/Int or Int to switch from the Intercom call back to the call on hold. Hang up on the first handset if the person on the second handset will continue to speak to the original caller alone. See pages 24-25 of the manual to see the directions. The direct link to the manual is currently https://www.101phones.com/pdf/ge/30524-user-guide-english-f.pdf .

For any landline phone, to forward a call to another phone number, you need to subscribe to a forwarding option with your telephone company. Check their information for initiating call forwarding.

If you have a different 30524 phone, please add a comment with the manufacturer.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

We recommend you test the main base unit with a different telephone cord on a different telephone jack.

Does the Phone Power Up?
1. When you pick up your GE cordless phone and press a button, the phone should beep as a confirmation that a button has been pressed. If the telephone handset does not beep, or if it does not respond to any buttons, the battery may be in need of a recharge. Verify that the cordless phone base unit is plugged in to an electrical source, then place the handset into the charging cradle. If no lights illuminate on the phone, or if charging fails to correct the issue, clean the metal charging contacts on the cordless handset and place the phone back on the charger. If it still fails to respond or to charge, the unit may need to be serviced or replaced.
Does the Battery Hold a Charge?
2. If the cordless phone charges up and appears to be ready for use but dies after only short periods of use, the internal rechargeable batteries may need to be replaced. Replacement batteries are widely available at electronics and discount retail stores. Note your phone's exact model number, as this number will be necessary when purchasing a replacement battery.
Listen for a Dial Tone
3. If the GE cordless phone powers on, and beeps when you press keys, but no dial tone is heard, one of three problems is the likely culprit. The phone's batteries may have an insufficient charge to fully power the phone, a condition that can be corrected by simply placing the phone back in the charger. If the batteries are charged, but no dial tone is heard, it is also possible that another telephone in your home or office is "off hook" or in use; verify that all telephones, fax machines and modems are securely on the hook. If there is still no dial tone, your telephone service may have been disconnected or require service by your local telephone company.
Listen for Static
4. On some GE cordless phone models, particularly older models, static may be heard if the radio signal between the handset and base unit experiences interference. Common sources of interference include unshielded electronics, appliances, and radio transmitters, as well as high-tension power lines. If your phone offers an option to change channels, try several different channels to see if the static is eliminated. If static continues to exist, or if static can be heard on wired phones sharing the same line, your telephone line may require service.
Verify Your Handset is Registered
5. Some models of GE cordless phones may display a message on the display screen that the handset needs to be registered. If this message appears, move the handset close to the base unit and press the "Prog/Mute" button near the bottom of the handset. Next, press the "Pager" button on the base unit (your handset may instruct you to perform this step). Finally, press the "Prog/Mute" button on the handset one more time to complete the registration process. Your GE cordless phone should now work correctly.The GE Cordless Phone brand is designed to deliver the conveniences of cordless home service with quality sound and features. There are many models of the GE Cordless Phone. The most current models, including the DECT 6.0, have standard features such as call waiting, caller ID, visual ring indicator, phone number memory and digital answering systems .
   
6. Before you use your GE Cordless Phone, ensure that you have all the parts. Your cordless phone package should include the phone base, a handset battery pack, a battery compartment cover, the cordless handset, a wall mount bracket, and a telephone line cord and AC power adaptor. Once you have confirmed that you have all of your parts, insert the handset battery pack into the handset and replace the battery compartment cover. Insert your telephone line cord and the AC power adapter into the phone base. The phone base identifies the telephone line as TEL LINE and the adapter as AC. Plug the phone base into the electrical socket. Place the cordless handset into the base. Allow the phone to charge for at least 16 hours before its first use. Failure to fully charge the battery before its first use will result in poor battery performance.
7. Once you have fully charged your phone, you can proceed with setting up your phone's features. If your cordless phone includes an answering system, complete this setup process first. Turn on the answering system by pressing the on/off button. The message indicator light will display. The cordless phones are defaulted to English as the selected language. To change your language preference, press the "Skip" button for two seconds. The language will change to Spanish. Next, you will set up your voice time and day stamp. While the answering system is on, press the "Answer" button on your handset for two seconds. The phone will enter the answerer mode. Press the "8" key. This will take you to the time/day setup menu. Use the number keys to set the hour and minutes. Use the volume up and down arrows to set the AM/PM. Press "#" to save. The cordless handset will also require that you give it a name. Press the "Mute" button for two seconds until the handset reads "ENTER NAME." Enter the name of the handset by using the touchtone keypad. Press the "Mute" button to save. Enter the default area code by pressing "Mute" until the phone displays "AREA CODE." Enter your three-digit area code and press the "Mute" button to save.
8. GE Cordless Phones are designed to be simple and convenient to use. To place or answer a call, press the TALK button. You can pre-dial a number by dialing the number before pressing the TALK button. When you are ready to make the call, press TALK and the phone will dial automatically. To answer a call that is waiting on the other line, press the FLASH button. If you experience call interference or bad reception while on a call, press the CHANNEL button until your line clears
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DECT cordless phones associated with the same base unit will all ring when an incoming call is recived, however only one handset can answer the call.
Unlike a corded phone, another handset cannot "join" an ongoing call, but the call can be transfered between handsets - your phone's manual will tell you how.

This happens when the base somehow gets de-registered from the handset. There are two ways to solve this.
Disconnect the base from the electrical outlet for about 5 seconds, then plug it back in.
The other way to solve it is to re-register the phone with the base. Consult your user manual to follow the process. to do this.

It looks like each handset needs to be set up individually, unless I'm missing something in the manual.

You can download the phone manual here:

http://www.home-electronics.net/ge/pc/IB/25942GE2_IB.pdf

when the phone rings just pick up the hand set and answer
if that doesn't work press the talk/answer button and answer

For the handset, you can use the menu button to check the HS Setup settings. For the answering machine, you may have pressed the side button that turns it off. It would say "off" on the lcd if you did that. According to the manual (I just bought one of these).

in manual it states that you need to give permission on corded base for handset to link to cordless phone.

With a little searching I was not able to confirm this phone could handle more than one cordless handset. Are you replacing a defective handset or trying to add a second. If adding, do you know if it can handle the second unit (is it advertised on the box, in the user guide, etc?) If replacing, you most likely have to de-register the old handset on the base unit before you can register a new one. If you are adding, try de-registering the working handset anyway and registering the new one. If the new one registers and you cannot re-register the once working phone you will know either the system cannot handle two phones or (if the new one will not register but you can again re-register the original) that the new handset has a problem and should be returned.