Turn off call forwarding in Settings, not in the Phone app
Call forwarding on iPhone is controlled through your carrier's settings, not through Apple's Phone app. To stop forwarding calls, open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Call Forwarding and toggle it off. The exact steps depend on whether you're using an iPhone with a physical SIM card, an eSIM, or multiple lines through Dual SIM.
If you can't find Call Forwarding in Settings, your carrier may not support this feature through the iPhone interface, or you may need to contact them directly to disable it. Some carriers require you to call a specific code or phone number instead.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding is managed in Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, not in the Phone app itself.
- Toggling off Call Forwarding stops all calls from being sent to another number.
- If Call Forwarding doesn't appear in your Settings, your carrier may require you to disable it by phone or through their website.
- Some carriers charge a monthly fee for call forwarding, which stops when you turn it off.
- Call forwarding and Do Not Disturb are separate features — turning off one does not affect the other.
Where to find Call Forwarding on your iPhone
Open the Settings app and tap Phone. Scroll down until you see Call Forwarding. If you have Dual SIM enabled (two phone lines on one iPhone), you'll see Call Forwarding listed separately for each line. Tap the line you want to change.
Once you're in Call Forwarding, you'll see a toggle switch. If it's green and turned on, calls are being forwarded to the number shown below it. Tap the toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, and forwarding stops immediately.
What happens when you turn off call forwarding
When you disable call forwarding, calls to your iPhone number will ring only on your iPhone itself. They won't be sent to any other phone number. If your iPhone is off or out of service, calls will go to voicemail instead of to a forwarding number.
If you had set up call forwarding to ring multiple devices — like your iPhone and a work phone — disabling it means only your iPhone will ring. Other devices won't receive those calls unless they're connected through a different service like FaceTime or iCloud.
If Call Forwarding doesn't appear in your Settings
Some carriers don't offer call forwarding through the iPhone Settings menu. If you don't see Call Forwarding under Settings > Phone, check your carrier's website or app to see if they have their own way to manage it. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers all have online account portals where you can turn forwarding on and off.
You can also call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your SIM card or on your bill) and ask them to disable call forwarding on your account. Have your phone number and account PIN ready. This method works even if your iPhone doesn't show the Call Forwarding option.
The difference between call forwarding and Do Not Disturb
Call forwarding sends incoming calls to a different phone number. Do Not Disturb silences notifications on your current device but doesn't send calls anywhere else. You can have both on, both off, or one on and one off — they work independently.
If you want calls to ring on your iPhone but silence notifications for everything else, use Do Not Disturb. If you want calls to go to a different number entirely, use Call Forwarding. If you want to stop both, turn off Call Forwarding and turn off Do Not Disturb.
Checking if call forwarding is active right now
Open Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. If the toggle is green, call forwarding is on. The number shown below the toggle is where your calls are being sent. If the toggle is gray, call forwarding is off and calls will ring only on your iPhone.
You can also check by opening the Phone app, tapping Keypad, and dialing *#67# (on most carriers in the US). Press Call. Your carrier will send you a message showing whether call forwarding is active and what number it's forwarding to. This works even if the Settings option isn't available on your phone.
Why you might want to turn off call forwarding
You may have set up call forwarding temporarily — to ring a work phone while traveling, for example — and forgotten to turn it off. Leaving it on means people calling you reach a different device, which can cause confusion if that device is lost, stolen, or no longer in use. Turning it off ensures calls reach only your iPhone.
Some carriers charge a monthly fee for call forwarding, usually a dollar or two. If you're not using it, disabling it removes that charge from your bill. Check your carrier's pricing page or call them to confirm whether you're being charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off call forwarding delete my voicemail?
No. Voicemail is separate from call forwarding. Turning off call forwarding doesn't affect your voicemail settings or any messages you've saved. Calls that go unanswered will still go to voicemail as usual.
Can I turn off call forwarding for just one contact?
No. Call forwarding is all-or-nothing — it either forwards all incoming calls or none. If you want to send calls from one specific contact to a different number, you'd need to set up a separate forwarding rule through your carrier, which not all carriers support. Contact your carrier to ask if they offer selective call forwarding.
Does turning off call forwarding stop FaceTime calls from ringing on other devices?
No. Call forwarding controls only phone calls to your carrier number. FaceTime calls ring on all your Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, regardless of call forwarding settings. To stop FaceTime from ringing on other devices, go to Settings > FaceTime and toggle off "Calls from iPhone".
What if I turned off call forwarding but calls still go to another number?
Wait a few minutes — it can take up to 15 minutes for the change to take effect across your carrier's network. If calls still forward after that, the setting may not have saved. Go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off again. If the problem continues, contact your carrier directly.