Call forwarding sends incoming calls to another phone number automatically

Call forwarding on iPhone redirects calls meant for your number to a different phone number you choose. When someone calls you, their call goes to the forwarding number instead of ringing on your iPhone. You control this through your carrier's settings, not through an app — it's a network-level feature that works even if your iPhone is off or out of service.

The process takes about two minutes and requires you to know your carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or another provider) and the phone number where you want calls sent. Once enabled, call forwarding stays active until you turn it off, even if you restart your phone or switch to a different device.

Key Takeaways

  • Call forwarding is managed through your carrier's settings, accessed via the Phone app on your iPhone, not through Settings.
  • You need to enter a forwarding number before activation, and that number will receive all calls sent to your iPhone's number.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for call forwarding, while others include it free with your plan.
  • Call forwarding works on any phone connected to your carrier's network, not just iPhones.
  • You can turn call forwarding off at any time using the same method you used to turn it on.

Enable call forwarding through the Phone app

Open the Phone app on your iPhone and tap the keypad icon at the bottom. Enter *21* followed by the 10-digit phone number where you want calls forwarded, then press the call button. For example, if you want calls sent to 555-123-4567, you would dial *21*5551234567 and tap call. Your carrier will send a confirmation message saying call forwarding is active.

The asterisk and numbers are a carrier code that works across most US carriers. After you tap call, the line will connect briefly and then disconnect — this is normal. You should see a confirmation on screen or receive a text from your carrier within seconds.

Disable call forwarding when you no longer need it

Open the Phone app, tap the keypad, and enter #21#, then press call. This deactivates call forwarding immediately. Your carrier will send a confirmation that forwarding is off, and calls will ring on your iPhone again instead of going to the forwarding number.

If you forget to turn off call forwarding and switch phones or carriers, calls may still route to the old forwarding number. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service line to confirm the status if you're unsure.

Check whether call forwarding is currently active

Open the Phone app, tap the keypad, and enter *#21#, then press call. Your carrier will display the phone number your calls are currently being forwarded to, or tell you that call forwarding is not active. This check does not change your settings — it only shows you the current status.

This is useful if you set up call forwarding weeks or months ago and cannot remember the forwarding number or whether you turned it off.

Understand carrier fees and plan limits

Most major carriers include call forwarding free with standard plans, but some regional carriers or older plans may charge $3 to $5 per month. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service number to confirm whether your plan includes call forwarding at no extra cost.

Some carriers limit how many times per day you can change your forwarding number, or they may not allow forwarding to international numbers. If you try to forward to a number your carrier doesn't support, you'll see an error message on screen. Contact your carrier to ask about restrictions on your specific plan.

Use call forwarding with Do Not Disturb and other iPhone features

Call forwarding works independently of Do Not Disturb, Silent mode, and blocked contacts. If you have Do Not Disturb enabled, calls still forward to your forwarding number even though they won't ring on your iPhone. If you block a contact, their calls still forward instead of being blocked.

If you want calls from specific people to ring on your iPhone while others forward, you'll need to use a different approach — consider using Do Not Disturb's "Allow Calls From" feature instead, which lets certain contacts reach you while silencing others. Call forwarding cannot be set up to work for only some callers; it forwards all incoming calls or none.

Troubleshoot if call forwarding isn't working

If you entered the code correctly but calls still ring on your iPhone instead of forwarding, restart your phone and try again. Sometimes the carrier network needs a moment to process the change. If restarting doesn't work, check that you have an active cellular connection — call forwarding requires a signal from your carrier.

If you see an error message when you try to activate forwarding, the forwarding number may be invalid, or your carrier may not support forwarding to that type of number. Try a different phone number, or contact your carrier's customer service to confirm your plan includes call forwarding. Some carriers require you to call them directly to set up forwarding if you're on a business plan or have restrictions on your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person calling me know their call is being forwarded?

No. The caller sees your number on their screen and hears your voicemail greeting if they reach it, even though the call is actually ringing on a different phone. Call forwarding is transparent to the person calling you.

Can I forward calls to an international number?

Some carriers allow it, but many charge extra or block international forwarding by default. Try entering the number with the country code (for example, *21*+441632960000 for a UK number) and see if your carrier accepts it. If you get an error, contact your carrier to ask whether international forwarding is available on your plan.

What happens to my voicemail when call forwarding is on?

Voicemail still works the same way. If the forwarding number doesn't answer, the call goes to your voicemail on your iPhone's carrier network, not to the voicemail of the forwarding number. The caller hears your greeting and can leave a message.

Can I set up different forwarding numbers for different times of day?

Not through the basic call forwarding codes. You can only have one active forwarding number at a time. If you need time-based forwarding, ask your carrier whether they offer a "conditional call forwarding" feature, which some carriers provide as an add-on service.

Does call forwarding work if my iPhone is turned off?

Yes. Call forwarding happens at your carrier's network level, not on your phone. Even if your iPhone is powered off, in airplane mode, or has no battery, calls will still forward to the number you set up.