Call forwarding sends incoming calls to another number: your office line when you’re at work, a colleague while you’re on vacation, or a second phone when your iPhone has no signal. How you set it up depends on your carrier. On many carriers, it’s a switch in iPhone Settings. On others, you dial a short code. This guide covers both, plus conditional forwarding (only when busy or unanswered), how to turn forwarding off, and why the option is sometimes missing.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding (on iOS 17 and earlier, Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding). Turn on Call Forwarding, tap Forward To, and enter the number. If you don’t see Call Forwarding, your carrier uses dial codes instead. For example, on Verizon you dial *72 followed by the 10-digit number and press Call.
Before You Start
- Charges: forwarded calls usually use plan minutes, and forwarding to international numbers may cost extra. Check your plan.
- Signal needed: you usually need a cellular connection to turn forwarding on or off.
- Voicemail: while unconditional forwarding is on, calls don’t reach your voicemail. They go to the other number instead.
- Dual SIM: on iPhones with two lines, choose the line first. Settings shows each line separately.
Method 1: Turn On Call Forwarding in iPhone Settings
This works on carriers that support the setting in iOS, including AT&T and T-Mobile in the US and most carriers in other countries.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps > Phone (iOS 18 and later) or Phone (earlier versions).
- Tap Call Forwarding. With two lines, choose the line first.
- Turn on Call Forwarding.
- Tap Forward To and enter the phone number, including the area code.
- Tap Back. The number is saved and forwarding starts right away.
A phone icon with an arrow may appear in the status bar or Control Center while forwarding is active, depending on your iPhone model.
Method 2: Use Carrier Dial Codes
If Call Forwarding isn’t in Settings (common on Verizon and some prepaid carriers), use the Phone app keypad. Codes vary by carrier, so check your carrier’s support page if one does not work.
| Carrier type | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon (US) | *72 + 10-digit number, then Call | *73, then Call |
| Most GSM carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, many international) | **21*number#, then Call | ##21#, then Call |
| Some prepaid or regional carriers | *72 + number, or the code in your carrier's app | *73 |
You’ll usually hear a confirmation tone or see a message when the change goes through.
Conditional Call Forwarding (Busy, No Answer, Unreachable)
iPhone Settings only offers “forward all calls.” To forward only in certain situations, use your carrier’s codes. On most GSM carriers:
| Forward when | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| You don't answer | **61*number# | ##61# |
| Your phone is off or has no signal | **62*number# | ##62# |
| You are on another call | **67*number# | ##67# |
| Check forwarding status | *#21# (all calls), *#61#, *#62#, *#67# | |
Verizon uses *71 + number for no-answer/busy forwarding and *73 to cancel. Carriers can change codes, so confirm with yours.
Warning: the ##002# code cancels all forwarding on many GSM networks, including the forwarding that sends missed calls to voicemail. You might need to set up voicemail again afterward.
How to Turn Off Call Forwarding
- Settings method: go back to Call Forwarding and switch it off. The saved number stays for next time.
- Dial code method: dial *73 (Verizon) or ##21# (GSM carriers).
If you just want your iPad or Mac to ring along with your iPhone, forwarding isn’t needed. Use Calls on Other Devices instead.
Troubleshooting
Call Forwarding is missing from Settings
Your carrier doesn’t support the iOS setting. Use dial codes, your carrier’s app, or its website.
The switch spins or turns itself off
Make sure you have a good cellular signal. Try turning Wi-Fi off and on, restarting the iPhone, and checking for a carrier settings update in Settings > General > About.
Calls still ring on my iPhone
Wait a minute after changing the setting, and check that you set forwarding on the correct line. Calls through FaceTime, WhatsApp, and other apps are not forwarded.
Callers go to voicemail instead of the forwarding number
Check that the number is entered correctly with the area code, and that the other phone isn’t forwarding back to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I forward calls to another iPhone for free?
Forwarding within the same country is usually included in unlimited plans, but some plans charge minutes. Ask your carrier.
Does call forwarding forward text messages?
No. For messages, use Text Message Forwarding (Settings > Apps > Messages) to show them on your other Apple devices, or check your carrier’s options.
Can I answer calls on my Mac or iPad instead?
Yes. Turn on Calls on Other Devices in the Phone settings to ring your nearby Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account.
Summary
- Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding.
- Turn it on and enter the Forward To number.
- No setting? Dial *72 + number (Verizon) or **21*number# (GSM carriers).
- Use **61, **62, and **67 codes for conditional forwarding.
- Turn it off in Settings or with *73 or ##21#.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.