What call forwarding does and how to stop it
Call forwarding sends incoming calls to a different phone number instead of ringing on your iPhone. When it is on, callers reach whatever number you set — another phone, a voicemail service, or a business line. To stop this, you turn off call forwarding in Settings, and calls will ring on your iPhone again instead.
Call forwarding is useful when you are away from your phone or want calls routed elsewhere temporarily. But if you forgot you turned it on, or if someone else set it up on your device, calls disappear and you never know people tried to reach you. Turning it off takes about 30 seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding is turned on and off in the Phone app settings, not in the main Settings app.
- You need to know which phone number calls are being forwarded to in order to confirm you are turning off the right setting.
- If you do not see the call forwarding option, your carrier may not support it or your phone may not have cellular service active.
- Turning off call forwarding takes effect when ready — calls will ring on your iPhone right away.
Steps to turn off call forwarding
Open the Phone app on your home screen. Tap the Keypad tab at the bottom (it looks like a grid of numbers). At the top right, tap the three dots or gear icon to open settings.
Scroll down and look for Call Forwarding. If you see it listed, tap it. The toggle next to it should be on (usually shown in green or blue). Tap the toggle to turn it off. You will see a message confirming that call forwarding is now off.
If you do not see Call Forwarding in the Phone app settings, check the main Settings app instead. Open Settings, tap Phone, then scroll down to find Call Forwarding. Tap it and toggle it off the same way.
What to do if call forwarding is already off
If the toggle is already off and you still are not receiving calls, the problem is something else. Check that Do Not Disturb is not on — swipe down from the top right corner of your screen and look for a moon icon. If it is highlighted, tap it to turn it off.
Also check that Call Waiting is on. In the Phone app settings, look for Call Waiting below Call Forwarding. If it is off, turn it on. Call Waiting lets your phone ring even when you are on another call.
If calls still do not come through, restart your iPhone. Hold the power button until you see the power-off slider, then slide it to turn off the phone. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This clears temporary glitches that block incoming calls.
How to check where calls were being forwarded
Before you turn off call forwarding, you can see which number it was sending calls to. In the Phone app settings, tap Call Forwarding and look at the number shown. This tells you where your calls were going.
If you do not recognize the number, someone else may have set up call forwarding on your phone without your knowledge. If you share your iPhone with family members or if someone had access to your device, they could have turned it on. Once you turn it off, calls will no longer go to that number.
Why call forwarding might turn on by itself
Call forwarding does not turn on randomly — it requires someone to actively set it up. But if you do not remember doing it, you may have set it up and forgotten, or someone with access to your phone may have done it.
Some carriers also offer call forwarding through their own apps or websites. If you manage your account online, check there too. Your carrier's app might have a separate call forwarding setting that overrides what you see in the Phone app.
If your carrier does not support call forwarding
Not every carrier offers call forwarding, and some offer it only on certain plans. If you do not see the Call Forwarding option in either the Phone app or Settings, your carrier may not support it on your account.
Contact your carrier directly to ask whether call forwarding is available on your plan. They can tell you whether it is turned on at their end and whether you can use it. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for call forwarding, so it may not be included in your current plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off call forwarding affect voicemail?
No. Call forwarding and voicemail are separate. Voicemail still works after you turn off call forwarding. Calls will ring on your iPhone, and if you do not answer, they go to voicemail as usual.
Can I turn off call forwarding from another device?
You need to turn it off on the iPhone itself, using the Phone app or Settings. You cannot manage it from a computer or another phone. If you do not have your iPhone with you, you can call your carrier and ask them to disable it on their end.
What if I want to turn call forwarding back on later?
Open the Phone app, tap Keypad, then the settings icon. Tap Call Forwarding, toggle it on, and enter the phone number you want calls forwarded to. Tap Save or Confirm, and it takes effect right away.
Does call forwarding work internationally?
It depends on your carrier and your plan. Some carriers disable call forwarding when you travel, or charge extra for it. Check with your carrier before traveling if you plan to use call forwarding abroad.