How to Cancel Call Forwarding on Any Device or Network
Call forwarding is one of those features most people set up once and forget — until it becomes a problem. Calls stop reaching you directly, voicemail behaves strangely, or someone points out that your number is routing elsewhere. Canceling call forwarding sounds simple, but the right method depends on your device, carrier, and how the forwarding was originally activated.
What Call Forwarding Actually Does
Call forwarding redirects incoming calls from your number to a different number — a mobile, landline, voicemail service, or even a VoIP line. Carriers implement it at the network level, meaning calls get rerouted before they ever reach your physical device. That's why forwarding can remain active even when your phone is off or has no signal.
There are several types of forwarding that may be running simultaneously:
| Type | When It Activates |
|---|---|
| Unconditional forwarding | Every call, no exceptions |
| No-reply forwarding | Call goes unanswered after a set number of rings |
| Busy forwarding | Line is already in use |
| Unreachable forwarding | Phone is off or out of coverage |
Each type can be set independently — and each may need to be canceled separately.
The Fastest Method: Universal Cancellation Codes 📞
Most carriers support GSM feature codes, which are shortcodes you dial directly from your phone's keypad. These work on the majority of Android and iOS devices connected to GSM networks (which covers most carriers globally).
To cancel all call forwarding at once:
Dial ##002# and press the call button. This sends a signal to your carrier to deactivate all forwarding rules tied to your number.
To cancel specific forwarding types individually:
##21#— cancels unconditional forwarding##61#— cancels no-reply forwarding##67#— cancels busy forwarding##62#— cancels unreachable forwarding
After dialing each code, you should see a confirmation message on screen. If nothing happens or you get an error, your carrier may use a different code format or the feature may need to be managed through their app or website.
⚠️ These codes follow the GSM standard and work reliably on most networks — but CDMA carriers (historically used by some US carriers) may use different codes or have no support for these at all.
How to Cancel Call Forwarding Through Phone Settings
On many smartphones, forwarding is manageable directly from the device's settings rather than through dial codes.
On Android:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the three-dot menu or Settings
- Select Calls or Call Settings
- Look for Call Forwarding
- Tap each forwarding type and select Disable or Turn Off
The exact menu path varies by Android manufacturer. Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus phones all place this differently — some under "Supplementary Services," others directly in Call Settings.
On iPhone (iOS):
- Go to Settings
- Tap Phone
- Select Call Forwarding
- Toggle the switch to off
iOS only exposes unconditional forwarding in this menu. If you've activated other forwarding types via dial codes, you'll need to cancel them with the corresponding ## codes mentioned above.
Carrier Account Portals and Apps
If neither dial codes nor device settings work, forwarding may have been configured at the account level — either through a carrier app, customer service call, or business account dashboard.
In this case, log into your carrier's website or app:
- Look for My Plan, Line Settings, or Manage Features
- Call forwarding is often listed under Voice Features or Add-Ons
- Toggle it off or remove the forwarding number
This is especially common with business or enterprise accounts, where call routing rules are managed by an administrator rather than the individual phone user. If you're on a corporate plan, your IT or telecom administrator may need to make this change.
VoIP and App-Based Forwarding Is a Different Layer 📱
If you use a VoIP service — such as Google Voice, Microsoft Teams, Zoom Phone, or a business phone system — call forwarding is controlled entirely within that platform, not at the carrier level.
Dialing ##002# will have no effect on forwarding rules set inside a VoIP app. You'll need to:
- Open the relevant app
- Navigate to its Settings or Calling section
- Find forwarding rules and disable them there
Some platforms call this "call routing" or "simultaneous ring" rather than forwarding, so check under multiple menu names if you don't find it immediately.
When Cancellation Doesn't Seem to Work
A few situations can make forwarding feel impossible to cancel:
- Dual SIM devices — each SIM has its own forwarding settings; both need to be checked independently
- Network delay — changes made through codes or apps can take a few minutes to propagate across the carrier network
- Carrier restrictions — some prepaid or MVNO plans restrict access to forwarding controls and require a call to customer support
- Business plan overrides — administrator-level settings may override what individual users can change
The Variables That Change Your Approach
Whether canceling call forwarding takes ten seconds or requires a support call comes down to a specific combination of factors: your carrier type (GSM vs. CDMA vs. VoIP), your device OS and version, whether forwarding was set at the device or account level, and whether you're on a personal or business plan.
Someone on a standard GSM carrier with an Android phone can usually cancel everything with a single dial code. Someone on an enterprise VoIP system where routing is controlled by an admin is in a completely different situation — as is someone juggling two SIMs or using a carrier-branded Android skin that buries call settings three menus deep.
Understanding which of those describes your setup is what determines which of these methods actually applies to you.