Call forwarding stops working the moment you turn it off
Call forwarding on Verizon is a setting that sends incoming calls to a different phone number instead of ringing your phone. To stop it, you dial *73 from your Verizon phone and press call. That's the fastest way. If you're not at your phone or prefer to use the Verizon app or website, both let you turn it off in a few taps.
The setting turns off when ready — you don't have to wait for anything to process. Calls will ring your phone normally again right away.
Key Takeaways
- Dial *73 from your Verizon phone and press call to turn off call forwarding when ready.
- You can also turn it off through the My Verizon app by going to Settings, then Call Forwarding, then toggle it off.
- On the Verizon website, log into your account, find Call Forwarding under Phone Settings, and turn it off.
- Call forwarding stops working the moment you change the setting — there's no waiting period.
- If you don't recognize the number call forwarding is sending to, turn it off and contact Verizon to check your account security.
Using the *73 code from your phone
The easiest way is to use the code built into Verizon's system. Pick up your Verizon phone, dial *73, and press the call button. You'll hear a confirmation message that call forwarding is off. This works whether you're on a landline or a mobile phone.
If you're not sure whether call forwarding is currently on, you can dial *72 to turn it on (which requires you to enter a phone number), or *73 to turn it off. Either way, the system will tell you what happened. The code method is fastest because you don't need to open an app or log into a website.
Turning it off through the My Verizon app
Open the My Verizon app on your phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Go to Settings, then find Call Forwarding in the phone settings section. You'll see a toggle switch — tap it to turn call forwarding off.
The app shows you whether call forwarding is currently on or off, and if it's on, it displays the phone number where calls are being sent. Once you toggle it off, the change takes effect when ready. This method is useful if you want to see the forwarding number before you turn it off, or if you're not comfortable using the *73 code.
Using the Verizon website
Log into your Verizon account at verizon.com. Go to Account at the top of the page, then select Phone Settings or Manage Phone Features (the exact name varies slightly depending on your account type). Look for Call Forwarding in the list.
Click on Call Forwarding and you'll see whether it's currently on and where calls are being sent. Click the toggle or button to turn it off. Save your changes if the page prompts you to do so. The website method works from any computer or phone with internet access, so it's useful if you're away from your Verizon phone.
What happens if you forget the code
If you can't remember whether to use *73 or another code, the app and website are more straightforward because they show you the current status visually. You don't have to remember anything — just look at the toggle and flip it.
If you're away from your phone and app and need to turn off call forwarding from someone else's phone, calling Verizon customer service at 611 from any Verizon phone (or 1-908-559-4899 from another phone) will get you to someone who can turn it off for you in under a minute. A representative can also check your account to see when call forwarding was turned on and from which device.
Why call forwarding might be on without you knowing
Call forwarding sometimes gets turned on accidentally — maybe someone in your household set it up, or you enabled it and forgot. It can also be set up by a Verizon representative during a service call if you asked them to test it. Check whether it's on by dialing *72 (which will prompt you to enter the forwarding number if it's active) or by looking in the app.
If call forwarding is on and you don't recognize the number it's forwarding to, turn it off when ready using any of the methods above. Then contact Verizon to make sure no one else has access to your account. Unexpected call forwarding can be a sign that someone has gained access to your phone line or account, so it's worth checking if the forwarding number is unfamiliar.
The difference between call forwarding and other call-handling features
Call forwarding sends all your incoming calls to a different number automatically. Do Not Disturb, by contrast, silences your phone but doesn't send calls anywhere — they go to voicemail instead. Call Waiting lets you know when a second call is coming in while you're on a call. These are separate settings, so turning off call forwarding won't affect the others.
If you turn off call forwarding but calls are still going somewhere unexpected, check whether Do Not Disturb is on or whether you have a different feature active. The My Verizon app shows all your active phone settings in one place, so you can see at a glance what's turned on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost money to turn off call forwarding?
No. Call forwarding itself is a free feature on Verizon. Turning it on or off costs nothing and doesn't affect your bill.
Will my voicemail still work if call forwarding is off?
Yes. Voicemail is separate from call forwarding. When call forwarding is off, calls ring your phone normally, and if you don't answer, they go to voicemail as usual.
Can I turn off call forwarding for just one contact?
No. Call forwarding is an all-or-nothing setting — it either forwards all incoming calls or none. If you want to send calls from specific people to voicemail, use the Do Not Disturb feature in your phone's settings instead.
What if I turn off call forwarding but calls still go to another number?
Check whether you have Do Not Disturb or a similar feature turned on, or whether call forwarding is actually off by dialing *73 again. If it's definitely off and calls are still going elsewhere, contact Verizon — there may be a different setting active on your account.
Can someone else turn on call forwarding on my Verizon line?
Yes, if they have access to your phone or your Verizon account login. This is why it's important to use a strong password on your Verizon account and to check your call forwarding status regularly if you share a phone with others.