How to Turn Off iPhone Call Forwarding: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to disable call forwarding on your iPhone? You’ve come to the right place. Deactivating this feature is generally a breeze, but sometimes things can get a little wonky depending on your carrier or specific iPhone model. This guide provides clear instructions and answers to frequently asked questions to ensure a smooth experience.

The Quick & Dirty: Turning Off Call Forwarding

The most straightforward way to turn off call forwarding on your iPhone is through the Settings app:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.
3. Select Call Forwarding.
4. Toggle the Call Forwarding switch to the off position (it should turn grey).

And that’s it! In most cases, your calls will now ring directly on your iPhone without being forwarded to another number. If this simple method doesn’t work, or if you’re encountering errors, don’t fret. The following FAQs address common troubleshooting steps and scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What if the Call Forwarding switch is already off, but calls are still being forwarded?

This is a classic head-scratcher! Sometimes, the settings might not update immediately, or there could be a glitch. Here’s a multi-pronged approach:

• Restart your iPhone: A simple reboot can often clear temporary software hiccups. Power off your iPhone completely, wait for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on.
• Toggle airplane mode: Turning airplane mode on and off can sometimes force the iPhone to re-establish its connection with the cellular network and update settings.
• Check for carrier settings update: Go to Settings > General > About. If there’s a carrier settings update available, you’ll see a prompt to install it. These updates often include fixes for call forwarding issues.
• Contact your carrier: If all else fails, reach out to your mobile carrier. They might have specific instructions for your account or be able to manually disable call forwarding from their end. There might be a conflict on their systems.

2. Can I turn off call forwarding using a dial code?

Yes, you absolutely can! Dial codes offer an alternative method, particularly useful if the Settings app isn’t cooperating. The most common dial code to deactivate call forwarding is ##21#. Dial this number in your iPhone’s phone app, then press the call button. You should receive a confirmation message on your screen. ##002# is another code that disables ALL conditional call forwarding.

3. What are the different types of call forwarding, and how do I disable them individually?

There are usually a few types of call forwarding:

• Forward all calls: This forwards every incoming call to the specified number. ##21# disables this.
• Forward when busy: This forwards calls only when you’re already on another call. The deactivation code for this is typically ##67#.
• Forward when unanswered: This forwards calls if you don’t answer after a certain number of rings. You can usually disable this with ##61#.
• Forward when unreachable: This forwards calls when your phone is turned off or has no signal. The deactivation code is usually ##62#.

To disable all conditional call forwarding, use ##002#, as mentioned earlier. After dialing each code, you should get a message confirming the deactivation.

4. How do I know if call forwarding is still active?

The easiest way is to call your own number from another phone. If the call gets forwarded, then call forwarding is still active. You can also check within the iPhone settings. Even if the Call Forwarding toggle is off, sometimes the settings may not be reflected correctly. If in doubt, try the deactivation dial codes.

5. Does turning off call forwarding affect voicemail?

Generally, no. Call forwarding and voicemail are separate services. Disabling call forwarding will stop calls from being routed to another phone number, but it won’t prevent unanswered calls from going to your voicemail. If you’re having issues with voicemail, you’ll need to address those settings separately, which are typically managed by your carrier.

6. I have multiple lines on my iPhone (dual SIM). How does turning off call forwarding work in this scenario?

If you’re using dual SIM on your iPhone, you’ll need to configure call forwarding separately for each line. To do this:

1. Go to Settings > Phone.
2. Scroll down and tap on Call Forwarding.
3. You should see options to configure call forwarding for each of your SIMs (e.g., “Primary” and “Secondary”).
4. Select the SIM you want to manage and toggle the Call Forwarding switch accordingly.

Make sure you select the correct SIM before making any changes. Dial codes will also apply to the SIM that is currently selected in the phone app settings.

7. Can I temporarily disable call forwarding and then easily re-enable it later?

Yes, you can. Using the Settings app, simply toggle the Call Forwarding switch on or off as needed. When using the dial codes, remember to write down the number that the calls were forwarded to if you plan on re-enabling call forwarding in the future, as you’ll need that information. To re-enable call forwarding using dial codes, you would typically dial *21*phonenumber#, replacing phonenumber with the desired forwarding number.

8. My iPhone is managed by my employer. Can they control call forwarding?

Possibly. If your iPhone is part of a Mobile Device Management (MDM) program, your employer might have the ability to configure or restrict certain settings, including call forwarding. Check with your IT department to see if there are any policies in place that affect your ability to manage call forwarding.

9. Will turning off call forwarding affect calls when I’m roaming internationally?

No, disabling call forwarding will generally prevent calls from being forwarded regardless of whether you’re roaming or not. However, be aware that international roaming charges may apply depending on your carrier plan and the country you’re in. These charges are independent of call forwarding settings.

10. I’m using a visual voicemail app. Could this be interfering with call forwarding?

It’s possible, though less likely. While visual voicemail apps primarily handle voicemail messages, some may interact with call settings. If you’re experiencing unusual call forwarding behavior, try temporarily disabling or uninstalling your visual voicemail app to see if it resolves the issue.

11. After turning off call forwarding, my calls are going straight to voicemail. What’s happening?

This usually indicates that your call forwarding settings are truly disabled. The issue is likely with your ring time settings or your carrier’s voicemail configuration. You can try increasing the number of rings before a call goes to voicemail by contacting your carrier’s customer support. Alternatively, check if you have “Silence Unknown Callers” enabled in your iPhone settings (Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers). This feature sends calls from numbers not in your contacts directly to voicemail.

12. I tried all the steps, and call forwarding is still on. What’s my last resort?

If you’ve exhausted all other troubleshooting steps, your last resort is to perform a factory reset of your iPhone. Back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer before doing this! Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This will restore your iPhone to its original factory settings, which should clear any lingering call forwarding configurations. Once the reset is complete, set up your iPhone as new and test the call forwarding functionality. If the problem persists even after a factory reset, there may be an underlying hardware or software issue that requires professional repair or support. Contact Apple support for further assistance.