Set up call forwarding in Settings

Call forwarding on iPhone sends incoming calls to a different phone number automatically. You control it through the Phone settings, and you can turn it on or off whenever you need to. The process takes about two minutes and works whether you're using an iPhone on a cellular plan or just Wi-Fi calling.

Open Settings on your home screen, then tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Call Forwarding. Toggle it on — the switch will turn green. A text field appears asking for the number where you want calls sent. Type in the phone number (include the area code), then tap Back at the top left. Your iPhone now forwards all incoming calls to that number.

While call forwarding is on, you'll see a small arrow icon in the status bar at the top of your screen. This reminds you that calls aren't ringing on your phone — they're going somewhere else. If you forget it's on and wonder why nobody can reach you, that icon is the first place to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Call forwarding sends all incoming calls to a different number and is controlled in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding.
  • You must enter the complete phone number including area code, and the number must be one your carrier recognizes as valid.
  • A small arrow icon appears in your status bar when call forwarding is active, so you can see at a glance whether it's turned on.
  • Call forwarding works on cellular calls and Wi-Fi calling, but does not forward FaceTime calls or iMessage.
  • Turning off call forwarding takes one tap — go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off.

What happens when call forwarding is on

When someone calls your iPhone number, the call rings on the forwarded number instead of your phone. Your iPhone stays silent. The person calling doesn't know their call was forwarded — they just reach you at the other number. If the forwarded number doesn't answer, the call goes to voicemail on that number, not your iPhone's voicemail.

This matters because if you forward calls to another phone and that phone's voicemail is full, callers won't reach your iPhone voicemail either. They'll just hear a message that the mailbox is full. You can still receive text messages and FaceTime calls on your iPhone normally — call forwarding only affects phone calls.

Turn off call forwarding when you don't need it

Go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle the switch off. The arrow icon disappears from your status bar. Calls now ring on your iPhone again instead of going to the forwarded number. You don't lose any settings when you turn it off — if you turn it back on later, the same forwarded number is still there.

Some people leave call forwarding on all the time, but most use it temporarily — while traveling, during work hours, or when they're away from their phone. There's no penalty for leaving it on, but turning it off when you don't need it prevents the confusion of wondering why calls aren't reaching you.

Troubleshoot if call forwarding isn't working

If you turned on call forwarding but calls still ring on your iPhone, first check that the toggle is actually green. Sometimes it looks on but isn't. Toggle it off, wait a few seconds, then toggle it back on. If the number field is empty, the forwarding won't work — you must enter a phone number.

If the number is there and the toggle is green but calls still aren't forwarding, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button until you see the "slide to power off" screen, slide it, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on. After restart, check Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding again to make sure it's still on.

If restarting doesn't fix it, contact your carrier. Some carriers have restrictions on call forwarding, or your account might have a setting that blocks it. Your carrier can tell you whether call forwarding is allowed on your plan and can reset it on their end if something is stuck.

Use Do Not Disturb if you want to silence calls without forwarding them

Call forwarding sends calls somewhere else. If you just want to silence your phone without sending calls away, use Do Not Disturb instead. Open Settings, tap Focus, then tap Do Not Disturb. Toggle it on. Calls will go straight to voicemail, and you'll see a notification that you missed them, but the calls won't ring on another phone.

Do Not Disturb is better than call forwarding if you're in a meeting, sleeping, or just don't want to be interrupted. Call forwarding is better if you actually want someone to reach you at a different number — like forwarding your work phone to your cell phone while you're out of the office.

Forward calls to voicemail instead of another phone

Some carriers let you forward calls to your own voicemail by entering a special code instead of a phone number. This is useful if you want calls to go straight to voicemail without ringing anywhere. The code varies by carrier — AT&T uses *71, Verizon uses *72, and T-Mobile uses *21. Call your carrier to confirm the code for your plan.

To use it, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, toggle it on, and enter the code in the number field instead of a phone number. Some carriers don't support this method through the iPhone settings, so if it doesn't work, call your carrier's customer service line and ask them to set it up on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?

No. iPhone call forwarding sends all calls to one number only. If you need calls to ring on multiple phones, use a conference calling service or ask your carrier whether they offer a multi-line forwarding option. Some business plans have this feature, but standard consumer plans do not.

Does call forwarding work internationally?

It depends on your carrier and your plan. Some carriers charge extra to forward calls internationally, and some don't allow it at all. Before traveling, contact your carrier and ask whether international call forwarding is included in your plan or what it costs. You can still turn it on in Settings, but the call may not actually forward if your carrier blocks it.

Will my contacts see a different number when I forward calls?

No. When you call someone back or send a text, your iPhone number shows up on their end, not the forwarded number. Call forwarding only affects incoming calls — it doesn't change your outgoing caller ID.

What if I forward calls but then lose my other phone?

Calls will keep forwarding to that number even if the phone is off or lost. Turn off call forwarding in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding as soon as you realize it. If you can't access your iPhone, contact your carrier and ask them to disable call forwarding on your account.

Can I set call forwarding to turn on automatically at certain times?

Not with the built-in call forwarding feature. You have to turn it on and off manually. If you want automatic forwarding at specific times, use Focus schedules instead — set up a Focus that silences calls during work hours, then manually turn on call forwarding when you need it for other reasons.