Cancel call forwarding by going to your phone's settings or dialing a code

The way you cancel call forwarding depends on what kind of phone you have and whether your carrier set it up. On most smartphones, you turn it off through the Phone app settings. On older phones, you dial a code. If your carrier (like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) activated call forwarding on your account, you may need to call them to stop it.

The fastest route is usually your phone's built-in settings, which takes about one minute. If that does not work, try the dial code for your carrier. If neither works, your carrier has it locked on your account and you will need to contact them directly.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open Settings, tap Phone, then Call Forwarding, and toggle it off.
  • On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Call Forwarding, and turn it off.
  • If your phone settings do not have a call forwarding option, dial ##21# (most carriers) or #21# to disable it.
  • If neither method works, your carrier has call forwarding locked on your account and you must call them to remove it.
  • Call forwarding set up through your carrier's website or app requires you to log in and turn it off there instead.

Cancel call forwarding on iPhone

Open the Settings app and tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Call Forwarding. Toggle the switch to Off. Your iPhone will show "Call Forwarding Off" on the screen. Calls will now ring your phone instead of going to the forwarded number.

If you do not see a Call Forwarding option in the Phone settings, your carrier may have set it up on their end. Try the dial code method below, or contact your carrier if that does not work.

Cancel call forwarding on Android

Open the Phone app (the one you use to make calls). Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Tap Call Forwarding or Call Settings. Look for Call Forwarding and tap it. Select the option to turn it off or disable it. The exact wording varies by phone brand and carrier, but the setting is usually in this menu.

Some Android phones put call forwarding under a different name like "Call Divert" or "Conditional Call Forwarding". If you cannot find it after checking Settings, move to the dial code method below.

Use a dial code to cancel call forwarding

If your phone settings do not show call forwarding, dial ##21# and press Call. This code works on most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and many others. Your phone will show a message confirming that call forwarding is off. You do not need to wait for a response or press anything else — just dial and call.

If ##21# does not work, try #21# instead. Some older carriers use the single-hash version. If neither code works, your carrier has call forwarding set up at the account level and you will need to contact them.

Turn off call forwarding through your carrier's website or app

If you set up call forwarding through your carrier's website or mobile app, you must turn it off the same way. Log into your account on the carrier's website or app. Look for a section called Phone Settings, Call Management, or Call Forwarding. Find the forwarding rule you created and delete it or toggle it off. Save your changes.

This method is common if you set up call forwarding to manage multiple phone numbers or to forward calls while traveling. The phone's built-in settings will not override a carrier-level rule, so you have to remove it from the carrier's system.

What to do if call forwarding will not turn off

If you have tried the phone settings and the dial codes and call forwarding is still active, your carrier has it locked on your account. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your bill or on their website). Tell them you want to disable call forwarding. They will ask for your account information and phone number, then remove it from their system.

This usually takes a few minutes on the call. Ask them to confirm that call forwarding is off before you hang up. If the representative says it cannot be removed, ask why — some carriers restrict this for business accounts or specific plan types, though this is rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off call forwarding affect my voicemail?

No. Call forwarding and voicemail are separate. Turning off call forwarding means calls ring your phone instead of going to another number. Voicemail still works the same way — if you do not answer, calls go to your voicemail box.

Can I turn off call forwarding for just one contact?

No. Call forwarding forwards all incoming calls to a single number. If you want to route calls from specific people differently, use your phone's Do Not Disturb settings or contact groups instead. You can set Do Not Disturb to allow calls from certain contacts while silencing others.

What if I set up call forwarding and forgot where the calls are going?

Check your phone's call forwarding settings — they will show the forwarded number. If you cannot find it in your phone settings, log into your carrier's website or app and look for the forwarding rule. If you still cannot find it, call your carrier and they can tell you where calls are being sent.

Does turning off call forwarding cost anything?

No. Turning off call forwarding is free. Some carriers charge a monthly fee to have call forwarding active, so disabling it may actually lower your bill. Check your next bill to confirm the charge is gone.