What call forwarding does and when you need it
Call forwarding sends incoming calls from your iPhone to a different phone number automatically. When someone calls your iPhone number, their call rings on whichever phone you've set up to receive it instead — or in addition to your iPhone, depending on which type of forwarding you choose.
You use call forwarding when you're away from your iPhone but want to stay reachable, when you're switching phones temporarily, or when you want calls to reach you on a different device. Unlike voicemail, which records a message, call forwarding connects the caller to you live on another phone.
The feature lives in your iPhone's Settings app and takes about 30 seconds to turn on. You don't need a separate app or service — it's built into iOS and works through your carrier.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding sends your incoming calls to a different phone number, and you turn it on in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding.
- You must enter the phone number where you want calls to ring, and your carrier must support the feature (most do).
- Call forwarding works only when your iPhone is on and connected to cellular service or Wi-Fi calling.
- When call forwarding is active, callers reach your other phone instead of your iPhone, so they won't reach your voicemail unless that phone's voicemail picks up.
- You can turn call forwarding off anytime in the same Settings menu, and it doesn't affect Do Not Disturb or Silent mode.
How to turn on call forwarding in Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone and tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Call Forwarding. Toggle the switch to turn it on — it will turn green. A new field appears asking for the phone number where you want calls to go.
Type in the phone number carefully, including the area code. This can be another phone, a landline, a work extension, or any number that can receive calls. Tap the back arrow or swipe back to save. Your iPhone will confirm that call forwarding is now active.
From this moment on, every call to your iPhone number rings on the number you entered instead. Your iPhone itself will not ring. If you want to turn it off, go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle the switch off.
What you need before you start
Your carrier must support call forwarding — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers do, but check with your provider if you're unsure. Call forwarding works only when your iPhone has an active cellular plan or Wi-Fi calling turned on, so if your phone is in airplane mode or completely powered off, calls won't forward.
You need the exact phone number where you want calls to ring. If you're forwarding to another phone, make sure that phone is set up to receive calls and that you have service on it. If you forward to a number that's always busy or doesn't answer, callers will eventually reach your voicemail — but only if your iPhone is still on and connected.
Call forwarding versus other ways to redirect calls
Do Not Disturb silences your iPhone but doesn't send calls anywhere — they go straight to voicemail. Call forwarding actually sends the call to another number so someone can answer it live. If you want calls to ring on multiple phones at once, that's a different feature called simultaneous ringing, which some carriers offer as an add-on service.
Conditional call forwarding (available on some carriers) forwards calls only when your iPhone is busy, doesn't answer, or is unreachable — not all the time. You set this up through your carrier's website or by calling them, not through Settings. Call waiting lets you know another call is coming in while you're on a call, but doesn't forward anything.
For most people, the basic call forwarding in Settings is what they need. It's straightforward, free, and works when ready.
What happens to voicemail when call forwarding is on
When call forwarding is active and the call reaches the other phone, that phone's voicemail system takes over if nobody answers — not your iPhone's voicemail. So if you forward to your work phone and nobody picks up there, the caller hears your work voicemail greeting, not your personal one.
If the forwarded number is unreachable or the call fails, the call may bounce back to your iPhone and ring there, or it may go to your iPhone's voicemail depending on your carrier. This is why it's important to make sure the number you're forwarding to actually works and has service.
Troubleshooting call forwarding problems
If call forwarding isn't working, first check that it's actually turned on in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding — the toggle should be green. Then make sure your iPhone has cellular service or Wi-Fi calling enabled. If your phone is in airplane mode, call forwarding won't work.
If the toggle is on but calls still ring on your iPhone, restart your phone and check with your carrier to confirm they support call forwarding on your account. Some carriers require you to set up it through their website or customer service line before it works. If you entered the wrong phone number, go back to Settings and correct it.
If calls are forwarding but the other phone isn't receiving them, check that phone's service and make sure it's not in airplane mode either. Test by calling your iPhone from another phone to confirm the forward is working.
When to turn call forwarding off
Turn off call forwarding as soon as you're back to using your iPhone normally. Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off. Once it's off, calls ring on your iPhone again instead of the other number.
If you forget to turn it off and leave your iPhone at home, callers will still reach the other number, which might confuse people trying to reach you on your personal phone. That's why it's a good habit to disable it the same day you enable it, rather than leaving it on indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does call forwarding work if my iPhone is turned off?
No. Call forwarding requires your iPhone to be on and connected to cellular service or Wi-Fi calling. If your phone is powered off or in airplane mode, calls won't forward — they'll go to voicemail instead. This is why call forwarding is meant for temporary situations, not for when you're away from your phone for days.
Will people know their call is being forwarded?
No. From the caller's perspective, they're just calling your iPhone number and you're answering on another phone. They won't see any indication that the call was forwarded. Your phone number stays the same on their end.
Can I forward calls to an international number?
Yes, but your carrier may charge international rates for the forwarded call. Check with your carrier about international call forwarding costs before you set it up, especially if you're forwarding to a number outside the United States. Some carriers include it in your plan; others charge per minute.
What if I want calls to ring on both my iPhone and another phone at the same time?
Basic call forwarding sends calls to one number only. For simultaneous ringing on multiple phones, contact your carrier — some offer this as a feature called simultaneous ringing or multi-line service, but it's not available through the iPhone Settings app.
Does call forwarding use my iPhone's data or minutes?
Call forwarding itself doesn't use your data or minutes — the call is routed through your carrier's network before it reaches your iPhone. However, the person calling you and the person receiving the forwarded call both use their own minutes or plans as if they were on a regular call.