Turn on call forwarding in Settings

Call forwarding on iPhone is built into the Phone app settings, not into your carrier's system — though your carrier has to support it for it to work. Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Call Forwarding. Toggle the switch to On (it will turn green). A number field appears: enter the phone number where you want calls sent, then tap Back.

That's the whole process. Your iPhone will now forward all incoming calls to that number automatically. You'll see a small arrow icon next to the signal bars at the top of your screen when call forwarding is active — that's your visual confirmation it's working.

If you don't see the Call Forwarding option in the Phone settings, your carrier doesn't support it on your account or plan. Contact your carrier's customer service to confirm the feature is available to you before troubleshooting further.

Key Takeaways

  • Call forwarding is toggled on in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, and you enter the destination number right there.
  • Your carrier must support call forwarding on your plan — not all carriers or plans include it.
  • When call forwarding is on, an arrow icon appears next to your signal bars so you know it's active.
  • Turning call forwarding off is the same process: go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off.
  • Calls forwarded to another number still count against your carrier's minutes if you have a limited plan.

What happens to your voicemail when call forwarding is on

When call forwarding is enabled, incoming calls go to the forwarded number instead of ringing your iPhone. If the person at that number doesn't answer, the call goes to their voicemail, not yours — unless your carrier's system is set up to route unanswered calls back to your voicemail after a certain number of rings.

This matters if you're forwarding to another phone you own: the caller might leave a message on that device instead of your iPhone. If you want calls to reach your iPhone voicemail instead, you'll need to set up conditional forwarding through your carrier (forwarding only when you don't answer), which requires calling your carrier's support line — it's not available in the iPhone settings.

Turn off call forwarding when you don't need it

Go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle the switch to Off (it will turn gray). The arrow icon next to your signal bars disappears when ready. Calls now ring your iPhone normally again.

Many people forget they have call forwarding on and wonder why calls aren't reaching their phone. If you set it up temporarily — to forward calls while you're away from your iPhone, for example — make a note to turn it off when you return, or you'll miss calls entirely.

Forwarding to an international number

You can forward to an international number, but your carrier will charge international rates for each forwarded call. If you forward to a number in another country, every call that comes in will cost you money based on your carrier's international calling rates, even if the caller is local to you.

Before setting up international forwarding, check your carrier's rates or consider using a VoIP app (like WhatsApp, Skype, or Google Voice) instead. These apps let you receive calls over WiFi or data without international charges, though the caller has to use the app to reach you.

Why call forwarding might not work

The most common reason call forwarding doesn't work is that you entered the number incorrectly. Double-check that the number in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding is exactly right, including the country code if it's international. A single wrong digit means calls go nowhere.

The second reason is that your carrier doesn't support it. Some prepaid plans and older accounts don't have call forwarding enabled. Call your carrier and ask them to turn on call forwarding for your account — it's usually free, but they have to set up it on their end first.

A third possibility is that your iPhone's connection to your carrier is unstable. Restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on, then check that you have a strong signal. If you're in an area with poor coverage, call forwarding might not set up properly.

Using call forwarding with Do Not Disturb

Call forwarding and Do Not Disturb are separate features that work together in a specific way: if Do Not Disturb is on, calls still forward to the number you set, but your iPhone doesn't ring or notify you. The call goes straight to the forwarded number without alerting you on your device.

This is useful if you want calls to reach you on another phone while your iPhone stays silent. But if you turn on Do Not Disturb expecting to silence your phone while keeping calls on your iPhone, you'll miss them — the calls will go to the forwarded number instead. Turn off call forwarding if you want Do Not Disturb to silence your phone but still let calls ring through to voicemail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?

No. iPhone's built-in call forwarding only lets you set one destination number. If you need calls to ring multiple phones simultaneously, you'll need to use your carrier's conditional forwarding service (available by calling them) or a third-party app like Google Voice, which can ring several numbers at once.

Does call forwarding work when my iPhone is off?

Yes. Call forwarding happens at your carrier's network level, not on your phone itself. Even if your iPhone is powered off, calls will still forward to the number you set. This is why it's useful for when you're away from your phone entirely.

Will the person receiving the forwarded call see my number or the original caller's number?

They'll see the original caller's number, not yours. This is called caller ID pass-through, and it's the default on most carriers. The person at the forwarded number will know who called you, not that you forwarded the call to them.

Can I set up call forwarding to a landline?

Yes. Call forwarding works to any phone number — mobile, landline, or VoIP. Just enter the number in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding the same way you would for a mobile number. If it's a landline, include the area code.

What if I'm traveling and want to forward calls to avoid international roaming charges?

Forwarding to a number in your home country will still charge you international rates for each forwarded call, because the call is traveling from your carrier's network to another country. A better option is to use a WiFi calling app like WhatsApp or Skype, or to turn off cellular service and use WiFi calling through your carrier if they offer it.