The basic steps depend on your phone type and carrier

Call forwarding is a feature that sends incoming calls to a different phone number — usually another device you own, or a number you've set up to handle your calls when you're unavailable. To turn it off, you need to know whether you're using your phone's built-in forwarding settings or a service your carrier (like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) set up for you. The steps are different for each.

The fastest way to check: look in your phone's Settings app under Call Settings or Phone. If you see a "Call Forwarding" toggle or option there, you can disable it directly. If you don't find it, your carrier may have set it up through their network, and you'll need to contact them or use their app to turn it off.

Key Takeaways

  • Call forwarding on your phone itself is usually found in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, and you can turn it off with a toggle or by selecting "Disable".
  • If your carrier set up call forwarding through their network, you'll need to use their app or call their customer service line to disable it.
  • Some carriers let you dial a code like *73 to turn off call forwarding when ready without opening an app.
  • Check your phone bill or carrier app to see whether forwarding is active, because it may be running without you realizing it.

Disabling call forwarding on iPhone

On iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Call Forwarding. If the toggle is on (green), tap it to turn it off. That's the phone-level setting. If the toggle is already off or grayed out, your carrier may have set up forwarding at the network level instead.

If you use AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or another carrier, you can also dial *73 on your iPhone keypad and press Call. This code works on most carriers and disables call forwarding when ready without needing to go into Settings. Wait for a confirmation message.

Disabling call forwarding on Android

On Android, the path varies slightly by manufacturer and Android version, but the general route is: Settings > Phone or Call Settings > Call Forwarding, then toggle it off or select "Disable." Some phones label it as "Additional Settings" instead of "Call Settings" — if you can't find it in the obvious place, search "Call Forwarding" in your Settings search bar.

Like iPhone, you can also dial *73 and press Call to disable forwarding through your carrier's network. This works on most Android phones and carriers. If *73 doesn't work, try #73 instead, or contact your carrier to ask which code they use.

Turning off carrier-level call forwarding

If you set up call forwarding through your carrier's app or website (rather than through your phone's Settings), you need to go back to that same place to turn it off. Open your carrier's app — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or whoever your provider is — and look for a section called "Call Settings," "Call Management," or "Call Forwarding." Disable it there.

If you don't remember setting it up or can't find it in the app, call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your bill or on their website). Tell them you want to disable call forwarding, and they can turn it off on their end in a few minutes. This is the safest route if you're not sure where it was set up.

Why call forwarding might be on without you knowing

Call forwarding can be activated in several ways: you may have turned it on yourself and forgotten, a family member with access to your phone may have set it up, or your carrier may have activated it as part of a service plan you signed up for. Some people also enable it temporarily when traveling and then leave it on by accident.

If you see calls going to another number or your phone isn't ringing when people call, check both your phone's Settings and your carrier's app. Your carrier can also tell you whether forwarding is active on your account if you call and ask.

What to do if you can't find the setting

If you've looked in Settings and can't find Call Forwarding, try the dial codes first: *73 to disable (or #73 on some carriers). If that doesn't work, search your phone's Settings app for "forwarding" or "call settings" — the search function will take you to the right place even if the menu structure is different on your phone.

If none of that works, contact your carrier directly. Have your phone number and account information ready. They can check whether forwarding is active on your account and disable it from their system. This usually takes less than five minutes on a phone call.

Checking whether call forwarding is actually off

After you disable it, the easiest way to confirm is to have someone call you from another phone and listen for the ring. If your phone rings normally, forwarding is off. If the call goes straight to voicemail or another number, it may still be active.

You can also check your carrier's app or account page — most carriers show whether call forwarding is currently active. If you see it listed as "On" or "Active" after you've tried to disable it, contact customer service, because the setting may not have saved properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling call forwarding stop all my calls from going elsewhere?

Yes. Once you turn off call forwarding, calls will ring on your phone normally instead of being sent to another number. Voicemail will still work as usual — call forwarding and voicemail are separate features.

Will disabling call forwarding affect my voicemail?

No. Voicemail is a separate service. Turning off call forwarding only stops calls from being sent to a different phone number; it doesn't change where voicemail messages go or how they work.

What if I disabled it but calls are still going to another number?

Check your carrier's app or call their customer service to confirm forwarding is off on their network. Sometimes the phone's setting and the carrier's setting are separate, and you may need to disable both. Your carrier can also check whether any other call-routing features are active on your account.

Can I disable call forwarding without calling my carrier?

Yes, if you can access your carrier's app or website. Most carriers let you manage call forwarding from their app without calling. If you don't have the app, read it from your carrier's website or your phone's app store, sign in, and look for Call Settings or Call Management.

Is there a code to check if call forwarding is on?

On some carriers, you can dial *#73# to check the status of call forwarding, though this doesn't work on all networks. Your carrier's app is more reliable — it will clearly show whether forwarding is active and where calls are being sent.