What call forwarding does and when to use it
Call forwarding sends incoming calls from your iPhone to a different phone number automatically. When someone calls you, their call rings on the forwarded number instead of your iPhone — or in addition to it, depending on which type you choose. You stay in control: you can turn it on or off anytime, and you can change where calls go.
People use call forwarding when they're away from their phone, expecting important calls on a different device, or want calls to reach a family member or colleague. It works whether your iPhone is on, off, or out of service — the forwarding happens at your carrier's network level, not on the phone itself.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding is turned on through Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, and you enter the phone number where you want calls to go.
- Your carrier must support call forwarding, and you may be charged per-minute rates for forwarded calls depending on your plan.
- When call forwarding is on, a small arrow icon appears in your status bar, and callers still reach your iPhone number — they don't see the forwarded number.
- You can turn call forwarding off anytime by going back to Settings > Phone and toggling it off, or by dialing *73 from your iPhone.
- Call forwarding works even if your iPhone is powered off, but it stops working if your carrier service is disconnected or your account is suspended.
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 text field labeled "Forward to" will appear below it.
Tap the text field and enter the phone number where you want calls to go. Use the full number including the area code and country code if you're forwarding to another country. Tap the back arrow or Save button (depending on your iOS version) to confirm. You'll see a checkmark next to Call Forwarding when it's active.
The small arrow icon in your status bar at the top of your screen confirms that call forwarding is on. This icon stays visible as long as the feature is active, so you can see at a glance that calls are being redirected.
Costs and carrier requirements
Call forwarding is a standard feature offered by most carriers in the United States, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service line to confirm your plan includes it — a small number of older or prepaid plans don't offer it.
Some carriers charge per-minute rates for forwarded calls, while others include it in unlimited calling plans. If you're forwarding to an international number, international rates may apply. Contact your carrier directly to understand what you'll be charged, because rates vary widely by carrier and plan type.
Turning call forwarding off
Go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle the switch off. The arrow icon disappears from your status bar immediately, and calls stop forwarding. Your iPhone will ring normally again.
You can also turn off call forwarding by dialing *73 from your iPhone and pressing Call. This works even if you're away from home and don't have access to Settings. Dialing *73 disables forwarding instantly without needing to enter any other information.
What happens when call forwarding is on
When someone calls your iPhone number, the call rings on the forwarded number instead. The caller still dials your regular iPhone number — they don't see or need to know the forwarded number. From their perspective, they're calling you normally.
If the forwarded number is busy or doesn't answer, the call may go to voicemail on that number instead of your iPhone voicemail, depending on your carrier. Some carriers offer options to ring both numbers at once (called simultaneous ringing) rather than forwarding to one number only — ask your carrier if this is available on your plan.
Troubleshooting call forwarding problems
If call forwarding won't turn on, check that your carrier service is active and you have a strong signal. Restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on, then try enabling call forwarding again. If the toggle is grayed out, your carrier may not support the feature on your plan.
If calls aren't reaching the forwarded number, verify you entered the number correctly in Settings — a single wrong digit stops forwarding from working. Also confirm that the forwarded number itself can receive calls and isn't blocked or restricted. If you're forwarding to a business line, check that the line accepts incoming calls.
If you see the forwarding arrow icon but calls are still ringing on your iPhone, your carrier may have simultaneous ringing enabled instead of exclusive forwarding. Contact your carrier to switch to forwarding-only mode if that's what you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does call forwarding work if my iPhone is turned off?
Yes. Call forwarding happens at your carrier's network level, not on your phone, so it works whether your iPhone is on, off, or out of service. As long as your carrier account is active, calls will forward to the number you set.
Can I forward calls to an international number?
Yes, you can enter any phone number including international ones. However, international rates may apply to each forwarded call. Check with your carrier about international calling charges before setting up forwarding to another country.
What's the difference between call forwarding and Do Not Disturb?
Do Not Disturb silences calls on your iPhone but doesn't send them anywhere else. Call forwarding sends calls to a different number. You can use both together — calls will forward to your other number and won't ring on your iPhone.
Can I set up different forwarding numbers for different times of day?
The built-in call forwarding feature doesn't have scheduling. You'd need to manually turn it on and off or change the forwarded number yourself. Some carriers offer more advanced call routing through their own apps or customer portals — contact your carrier to ask what options they provide.
Will my voicemail still work when call forwarding is on?
If the forwarded number doesn't answer, the call goes to that number's voicemail, not your iPhone voicemail. If you want callers to reach your iPhone voicemail instead, ask your carrier about call forwarding settings that ring your iPhone after a delay.