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How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on AT&T: Your Comprehensive Guide

Deactivating call forwarding on your AT&T service is a straightforward process, and you have several options. The quickest method is to dial *73 (or 73# in some areas) from your phone and press the Send or Talk button. You should hear a confirmation tone or message indicating that call forwarding has been successfully deactivated. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s dive deeper into the nuances of managing your call forwarding settings.

Understanding Call Forwarding with AT&T

Call forwarding is a tremendously useful feature, allowing you to redirect incoming calls from your AT&T landline or mobile phone to another number. This can be incredibly handy when you’re away from your primary phone, want to consolidate calls to a single device, or need someone else to answer your calls. But when you no longer require this service, knowing how to disable it is essential.

Methods for Deactivating Call Forwarding

While the *73 code is the most common and simplest method, here’s a detailed breakdown of all the ways you can deactivate call forwarding on your AT&T service:

1. Using Deactivation Codes (The Fastest Way)

This is the preferred method for many users due to its speed and ease of use.

Dial *73 (or 73#): Pick up your AT&T phone (landline or mobile, depending on where the call forwarding is active) and dial *73 or 73#. This is the universal deactivation code for most AT&T services.
Press Send/Talk: After dialing the code, press the Send or Talk button on your phone.
Listen for Confirmation: Pay close attention to the audio prompt. You should hear a confirmation message or a series of tones indicating that call forwarding has been deactivated. If you don’t hear confirmation, try again.
Test the Deactivation: Call your phone number from another phone to ensure that the calls are no longer being forwarded.

2. Managing Call Forwarding Through Your AT&T Account (The Most Flexible Way)

This method provides more control and detailed options, especially if you have multiple lines or features managed under your AT&T account.

Log in to Your AT&T Account: Visit the AT&T website (att.com) and log in to your account using your user ID and password. If you’ve forgotten your credentials, use the “Forgot User ID” or “Forgot Password” links to recover them.
Navigate to Phone Features: Once logged in, look for the section labeled “Phone Features,” “Call Features,” or similar. The exact wording might vary depending on your AT&T service plan.
Find Call Forwarding Settings: Within the Phone Features section, locate the Call Forwarding settings. It might be listed under “Advanced Call Management” or a similar category.
Disable Call Forwarding: You should see options to activate or deactivate call forwarding. Simply uncheck the box or toggle the switch to disable the feature. You might also see different types of call forwarding (e.g., Call Forwarding Busy, Call Forwarding No Answer). Ensure all relevant options are disabled.
Save Changes: After disabling call forwarding, be sure to save your changes. The website should provide a confirmation message indicating that the settings have been updated.
Test the Deactivation: Call your phone number from another phone to verify that the calls are no longer being forwarded.

3. Contacting AT&T Customer Support (The Backup Plan)

If you’re having trouble deactivating call forwarding using the above methods, contacting AT&T customer support is a reliable alternative.

Call AT&T Customer Support: Dial 611 from your AT&T mobile phone or call 1-800-331-0500 from any phone.
Navigate the Automated System: Listen to the automated prompts and select the option that directs you to customer service or technical support. You might need to provide your account number or phone number.
Speak to a Representative: Request to speak to a customer service representative.
Request Call Forwarding Deactivation: Explain to the representative that you want to deactivate call forwarding on your line. Provide them with your account information for verification.
Confirm Deactivation: Ensure the representative confirms that call forwarding has been successfully deactivated.
Test the Deactivation: Once the representative confirms the deactivation, call your phone number from another phone to verify that the calls are no longer being forwarded.

4. Using the AT&T Phone App (Mobile Convenience)

If you have the MyAT&T app installed on your smartphone, you can manage your call forwarding settings directly from the app.

Open the MyAT&T App: Launch the MyAT&T app on your smartphone.
Log In: Log in to your account using your AT&T user ID and password.
Navigate to Services: Look for the “Services” or “My Services” section within the app.
Select Your Phone Line: Choose the phone line for which you want to manage call forwarding.
Find Call Forwarding Settings: Locate the call forwarding settings. The exact location may vary slightly depending on the app version.
Disable Call Forwarding: Toggle the switch or uncheck the box to disable call forwarding.
Save Changes: The app should automatically save your changes.
Test the Deactivation: Call your phone number from another phone to verify that the calls are no longer being forwarded.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Call Forwarding on AT&T

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide you with a deeper understanding of call forwarding and its management on AT&T.

1. What is the difference between unconditional call forwarding and conditional call forwarding?

Unconditional call forwarding forwards all incoming calls to another number, regardless of whether your phone is busy or unanswered. Conditional call forwarding, on the other hand, only forwards calls under specific conditions, such as when your phone is busy (Call Forwarding Busy), when you don’t answer (Call Forwarding No Answer), or when your phone is unreachable (Call Forwarding Not Reachable).

2. How do I know if call forwarding is currently active on my AT&T line?

The easiest way is to call your number from another phone. If the call is immediately routed to another number without ringing your phone first, call forwarding is likely active. You can also check your AT&T account online or through the app or contact AT&T customer service to inquire about the status of call forwarding.

3. Can I forward calls to an international number?

Yes, AT&T allows you to forward calls to international numbers. However, be aware that you will likely incur international long-distance charges for the forwarded calls. Check with AT&T for specific rates and policies regarding international call forwarding.

4. Will I be charged for using call forwarding?

Whether you are charged for using call forwarding depends on your AT&T service plan. Some plans include call forwarding as a standard feature, while others may charge a monthly fee. Additionally, you may incur charges for the minutes used when calls are forwarded, especially if forwarding to a mobile number from a landline. Review your AT&T service agreement or contact customer support for details.

5. What is Call Forwarding Busy and how do I deactivate only this setting?

Call Forwarding Busy redirects calls to a specified number only when your line is engaged in another call. To deactivate only Call Forwarding Busy, you’ll typically need to access the settings through your AT&T account online or via the MyAT&T app. Look for specific settings related to “Call Forwarding Busy” and disable that particular option. In some areas, dialing *900 may deactivate only Call Forwarding Busy. Contact AT&T for confirmation.

6. What is Call Forwarding No Answer and how do I deactivate only this setting?

Call Forwarding No Answer forwards calls after a specified number of rings if you don’t answer. Similar to Call Forwarding Busy, you’ll generally manage this setting through your AT&T account online or the MyAT&T app. Disable the specific option for “Call Forwarding No Answer.” In some areas, dialing *920 may deactivate only Call Forwarding No Answer. Contact AT&T for confirmation.

7. Can I set up call forwarding to multiple numbers simultaneously?

No, AT&T does not support call forwarding to multiple numbers simultaneously. You can only forward calls to one number at a time. If you need to distribute calls to multiple recipients, consider using a more sophisticated call management system or a virtual phone service that offers features like ring groups.

8. What happens if I forget the number I’m forwarding calls to?

If you forget the number you’re forwarding calls to, you can check your AT&T account online or through the app. The call forwarding settings should display the number that calls are currently being forwarded to. Alternatively, you can contact AT&T customer support for assistance.

9. Does call forwarding work when my phone is turned off?

Yes, call forwarding will still work even if your phone is turned off. The call forwarding settings are managed by the AT&T network, so calls will be forwarded regardless of the status of your phone. This applies to both landlines and mobile phones.

10. Can I temporarily suspend call forwarding without completely deactivating it?

Unfortunately, AT&T doesn’t typically offer a “suspend” function for call forwarding. Your options are generally to enable or disable it completely. If you frequently switch between forwarding and not forwarding, the quickest method is using the activation (*72) and deactivation (*73) codes.

11. How long does it take for call forwarding to be deactivated after I request it?

Generally, call forwarding deactivation is almost immediate when using the deactivation codes (*73). If you deactivate it through your online account or by contacting customer support, the changes usually take effect within a few minutes. However, in rare cases, it might take up to a few hours for the deactivation to fully propagate through the network.

12. What should I do if I am still experiencing issues with call forwarding after attempting deactivation?

If you’ve tried deactivating call forwarding using the codes, your online account, and the app, and you’re still experiencing issues, your best bet is to contact AT&T customer support directly. Explain the steps you’ve already taken and provide them with any relevant details. They can investigate the issue further and ensure that call forwarding is properly deactivated on your line. There might be an underlying technical issue that requires their intervention.