Call forwarding stops working the moment you turn it off

Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls to a different number — usually another phone, a voicemail box, or a business line. When you turn it off, calls ring your phone normally again instead of going somewhere else. The steps to deactivate it depend on what kind of phone you have and which carrier provides your service.

Most people turn off call forwarding because they no longer need calls redirected, they're returning to their main phone after traveling, or they want to stop paying a monthly fee for the service. The process takes less than a minute on most phones, though some carriers require you to call customer service instead of using your phone's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off; on Android, open Phone > Settings > Call Forwarding and turn it off.
  • If your phone doesn't show a call forwarding option in settings, your carrier may require you to dial a code like *73 or contact them directly.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for call forwarding, so turning it off may lower your bill.
  • If you forget you have call forwarding on, people calling you will reach the forwarded number instead of your voicemail, which can cause missed messages.

Deactivate call forwarding on iPhone

On iPhone, call forwarding lives in the Phone app settings. Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Call Forwarding. You'll see a toggle switch next to "Call Forwarding" — tap it to turn it off. The switch will turn gray when it's off, and calls will stop forwarding immediately.

If you don't see a Call Forwarding option in the Phone settings, your carrier may not support it through the phone's built-in menu. In that case, you'll need to contact your carrier directly or use their website to turn it off. Some carriers like Verizon and AT&T let you manage call forwarding through their apps instead.

Deactivate call forwarding on Android

On Android phones, the location of call forwarding settings varies by manufacturer and carrier. Start by opening the Phone app, then look for Settings or a menu icon (usually three dots or lines). Tap Settings, then look for Call Forwarding, Call Settings, or Supplementary Services. Tap Call Forwarding and toggle it off.

If you can't find call forwarding in your Phone app settings, try opening your carrier's app directly — T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T all have their own apps where you can manage call forwarding. You can also dial *73 on your phone (without the quotes) and press Call; this code turns off call forwarding on most carriers, though it doesn't work on every network.

Use carrier codes to turn off call forwarding

If your phone doesn't have a call forwarding menu, or if you want a faster way to turn it off, you can use a code. Dial *73 and press the Call button. This works on most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and many regional carriers. The call will connect briefly and then hang up automatically — that's normal. Call forwarding is now off.

If *73 doesn't work, try #73 instead, or contact your carrier to ask which code they use. Some carriers don't support these codes at all and require you to call customer service or log into your account online. Keep in mind that these codes work only on traditional phone lines and may not work on all VoIP services or internet-based phone systems.

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

Most major carriers let you manage call forwarding from their website or mobile app. Log into your account on Verizon.com, AT&T.com, T-Mobile.com, or your carrier's website. Look for a section called Phone Settings, Call Management, or Supplementary Services. Find Call Forwarding and toggle it off or select "Deactivate."

Using the carrier's website or app is often the most reliable method because it works even if your phone's settings don't show the option. It also creates a record of when you made the change, which can be useful if you need to contact customer service later. Changes usually take effect within a few minutes.

Call your carrier if you can't find the setting

If you've looked through your phone settings and your carrier's app and still can't find call forwarding, call your carrier's customer service line. The number is usually on your bill or on the back of your phone's SIM card. Tell them you want to deactivate call forwarding, and they'll turn it off for you over the phone.

Customer service can also tell you whether you're being charged a monthly fee for call forwarding and remove that charge if you want. Some carriers charge $3 to $5 per month for the service, so turning it off can lower your bill. Ask the representative to confirm that call forwarding is off before you hang up.

What happens after you turn off call forwarding

Once call forwarding is off, incoming calls will ring your phone normally. If you don't answer, calls will go to your voicemail instead of the forwarded number. If you had set up multiple forwarding rules (like forwarding to one number during business hours and another at night), all of those rules stop working.

If you turned off call forwarding because you were traveling or using a temporary phone, make sure you're back on your main phone and that it's turned on. Otherwise, people trying to reach you won't be able to get through. If you think you might need call forwarding again in the future, you can turn it back on using the same steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off call forwarding affect my voicemail?

No. Voicemail is separate from call forwarding. When you turn off call forwarding, calls that you don't answer will go to your voicemail as usual. Call forwarding only changes where calls go while you're available — it doesn't touch your voicemail settings.

Can I turn off call forwarding if I don't remember setting it up?

Yes. Even if you don't remember turning it on, you can turn it off using the same steps. If you're not sure whether call forwarding is on, check your phone settings or call your carrier and ask them. They can tell you whether it's active and what number it's forwarding to.

Does turning off call forwarding cost anything?

Turning it off is free. However, if your carrier was charging you a monthly fee for the service, that charge will stop appearing on your next bill. Call your carrier if you want to confirm the fee is removed.

What if I turned off call forwarding but calls are still going somewhere else?

Check whether you have Do Not Disturb or a similar feature turned on — those can also redirect calls. Also verify that call forwarding is actually off by checking your settings again or calling your carrier. If it's off and calls are still being redirected, contact customer service to troubleshoot.

Can I turn off call forwarding for just one contact or number?

No. Call forwarding is an all-or-nothing feature — it either forwards all incoming calls or none of them. If you want to send calls from specific people to a different number, you'll need to use a different feature like call routing or contact-specific settings, which vary by phone and carrier.