Turn off call forwarding in Settings, then Phone, then Call Forwarding
Call forwarding on an iPhone sends incoming calls to a different phone number — usually another device or a voicemail service. To stop this, open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Call Forwarding and toggle it off. The switch will turn from green to gray. After you do this, calls will ring your iPhone instead of going elsewhere.
If you do not see Call Forwarding in the Phone settings, your carrier may not support it, or you may need to contact them to disable it on their end. Some carriers manage call forwarding through their own apps or websites rather than through iPhone settings.
The process takes about 30 seconds. You do not need to restart your phone or sign out of anything. The change takes effect when ready once you toggle the switch.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding is turned on or off in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, where you toggle the switch to gray to disable it.
- If Call Forwarding does not appear in your Phone settings, your carrier controls it and you will need to contact them directly.
- Turning off call forwarding means calls will ring your iPhone instead of being sent to another number.
- Some carriers let you manage call forwarding through their own app or website, so check your carrier's support page if the iPhone setting is not available.
Where to find Call Forwarding in iPhone Settings
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Phone — it is the green icon with a white phone symbol. Inside Phone settings, look for Call Forwarding near the top of the list, usually above Do Not Disturb and below Calls on Other Devices.
Tap Call Forwarding once. You will see a toggle switch. If the switch is green, call forwarding is on. Tap the switch to turn it gray, which means it is off. That is all you need to do.
What happens when you turn call forwarding off
When call forwarding is off, your iPhone will ring when someone calls you. The call will not go to another phone number. If you do not answer, the call goes to your voicemail as usual.
If you had set up call forwarding to send calls to another number — like a work phone or a family member's phone — that will stop when ready. Anyone trying to reach you will only reach your iPhone. This is useful if you were forwarding calls while traveling or working from a different location and no longer need that setup.
If Call Forwarding is not in your Phone settings
Some carriers do not show the Call Forwarding toggle in iPhone settings. This usually means your carrier manages call forwarding through their own system instead. You will need to contact your carrier directly to turn it off.
Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your SIM card or on your bill) and tell them you want to disable call forwarding. They can do it over the phone in a few minutes. You can also log into your carrier's website or app — most carriers have a section for call settings where you can manage forwarding yourself.
Call forwarding versus Do Not Disturb
Call forwarding and Do Not Disturb are different features. Call forwarding sends calls to another number. Do Not Disturb silences your phone but does not send calls anywhere — they go straight to voicemail. If you want calls to ring your iPhone normally, you only need to turn off call forwarding.
Do Not Disturb is useful if you want to silence notifications temporarily without changing where calls go. Call forwarding is useful if you want calls to reach a different device or number. You can use both features at the same time, though turning off call forwarding alone will not affect Do Not Disturb settings.
Turning call forwarding back on if you need it later
If you decide you want call forwarding again, go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle the switch to green. You will be asked to enter the phone number where you want calls to go. Type the number and tap Call Forwarding again to confirm.
You can change the forwarding number anytime by going back to this same screen. The number you enter must be a complete phone number with area code. If you are forwarding to a number outside your country, check with your carrier first about any additional charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off call forwarding affect my voicemail?
No. Voicemail is separate from call forwarding. When you turn off call forwarding, unanswered calls will still go to your voicemail. Voicemail settings are in Settings > Phone > Voicemail and work independently.
Does call forwarding use data or minutes?
Call forwarding is handled by your carrier, not by your iPhone's data or minutes. When a call is forwarded, the person calling you is charged for a call to your iPhone's number, not for the forwarded call. You are not charged extra.
Can I forward calls to an international number?
Yes, but your carrier may charge extra for international call forwarding. Contact your carrier before setting up forwarding to an international number to understand any additional costs. Some carriers require you to set this up through their website or app instead of iPhone settings.
What if I only want to forward calls sometimes?
You can turn call forwarding on and off as needed through Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. If you want calls forwarded only during certain hours, check your carrier's website — some carriers offer conditional forwarding that works on a schedule.
Why does my iPhone say call forwarding is off but calls are still not ringing?
Check whether Do Not Disturb is turned on, as that will send calls to voicemail without ringing your phone. Also verify that your carrier did not set up call forwarding on their end — contact them to confirm it is disabled there as well.