How To Turn Off Call Forwarding on iPhone, Android, and More

There may be times when you’re in a meeting, on vacation, or simply don’t want to be disturbed on your primary number. Rather than turning on Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode, you have the option to set up call forwarding. 

But if you turn on call forwarding to redirect incoming calls to an alternate phone number, you also need to be able to turn it off. You don’t want to be unreachable forever or miss important calls. 

This guide will help you learn about call forwarding and most importantly, how to disable call forwarding so your mobile phone can go back to receiving calls normally. 

What Is Call Forwarding? 

Call forwarding is when you redirect phone calls meant for your mobile number to another number. This other number can be a mobile one or a landline. 

Once you turn on call forwarding, your main number will not be notified of any attempted calls; instead, your forwarding number will receive them. Any missed calls will be visible on the forwarding number. 

Are There Any Restrictions on Call Forwarding?

There are only a few rules regarding call forwarding and the ways you can utilize the feature. To start, the number you choose to forward callers to can only be a domestic number. So, for the US, it must be a standard 10-digit American number with an area code included. 

The number you choose must also be active. This means the number is in service and able to be answered by a real person. 

You can choose a cell phone, home phone, or a landline phone as your forwarding number. This can be convenient if you want to forward calls to a work phone or a landline phone at a specific location you will be in. 

Call forwarding also does not function for text messages. There is no way to forward text or SMS messages to another number with your mobile carrier in the same way. 

For more specific restrictions, check with your phone provider to see if there is anything else you should be aware of. But for the most part, major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile should follow similar rules. 

What Are the Different Types of Call Forwarding?

There are two major call forwarding options that you will be able to choose between when turning this feature on. These options will work on both Apple and Android phones. 

Unconditional Call Forwarding

Just as the name implies, unconditional call forwarding means any and all calls made to your phone will always forward to the number of your choice. Regardless of whether you can answer calls on your main number, they will be received on your forwarding one. Only use this feature if you’re positive that you want every call you receive to be redirected. 

A great time to use this feature is if your main number is out of commission. Your number could be having connection issues, being temporarily out of service, or experiencing any other technical mishap. Rather than miss every call you should’ve received, you can answer them on a second number via call forwarding. 

Conditional Call Forwarding

Conditional call forwarding allows you to have much more control over your call-forwarding settings and capabilities. Essentially, this option only forwards calls to a second number after you don’t answer the main number. 

Conditional forwarding is a great option for everyday life. If you miss a call because you’re in a meeting, are away from your phone, or for any other reason, that call will then be redirected to the other number. 

It basically gives you a chance to respond to your main number and only acts after you do not. There is still no discrimination on the types of calls you receive or who is able to reach your main number; it only affects missed calls. 

How Do I Turn Off Call Forwarding on an iPhone?

The call-forwarding feature is pretty cool, but there may be times when you don’t want your calls to be forwarded to any other number. 

To deactivate call forwarding on an iPhone, follow these few steps: 

• Open the Settings app
• Scroll down and click on “Phone” 
• In the “Calls” section, click on “Call Forwarding” 
• There will be a bar at the top that says “Call Forwarding.” Next to it, the green bar will be visible because call forwarding is currently on. Toggle the switch to the gray “off” setting to turn off all call forwarding. 

Below the section where you can toggle call forwarding on and off, you will be able to see the number you have selected to forward calls to. If you want to change this number at any time, select it and type in the new number. You can also delete the number you have entered and with no place to go, your calls will remain with your main number. 

Turn Call Forwarding Off by Dialing

You can also dial ##002# on your phone keypad as a way to end call forwarding. Wait until you hear a confirmation message that call forwarding has been turned off. 

How Do I Turn Call Forwarding Off on Android?

Android devices work much the same way as iPhones when managing call-forwarding settings. There are just a few differently named buttons to press, but the idea is the same. 

To turn off call forwarding: 

• Open the Phone app
• Click the menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top right corner 
• Click Settings
• In the settings tab, hit Calls
• Select Call Forwarding
• Toggle off any call forwarding settings that are currently turned on. This may include: some text
  • Always forward
  • Forward when busy
  • Forward when unanswered
  • Forward when unreached

The top setting, “always forward,” is what you would turn on for unconditional call forwarding. For conditional call forwarding, use any of the three bottom settings. 

How Do I Turn Off Call Forwarding on a Landline?

To deactivate call forwarding on a landline phone, all you have to do is dial *73. Be sure to wait for the following beep, dial tone, or confirmation tone that ensures call forwarding has been disabled. If your landline is connected to a T-Mobile or AT&T network, you can dial #21# in place of *73. 

As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to check with your provider to confirm the correct call-forwarding cancellation number to call. But as a basis, start with *73. 

Forwarding Calls to a Second Phone Number

If you’re interested in exploring the wonderful world of call forwarding, you may be wondering which number you will forward calls to. Not everyone has a second phone, a landline, or a friend's number; they want to receive all of their calls. That’s where a second phone number app comes in. 

A second number app like Burner allows you to create a custom phone number which in turn can be used to collect your redirected calls. Because Burner is an app and not a second physical phone, your calls will still be accessible on your main phone but will not clog up your main number. 

Your Burner phone app settings are independent of your phone app settings, allowing you to use your phone normally without silencing texts or other notifications by using something like Do Not Disturb. 

Redirecting calls to an outsourced number like a landline, which is physically only in one place, or a second phone, which you then have to keep track of, can create other issues. What if your landline is disconnected or unreachable? What if you lose your second phone? 

But with Burner, there is no change to your routine. You still have just one phone. The difference is that your calls can be controlled and managed more easily without disrupting your day. Try Burner today to see how easy and convenient call forwarding can be. 

The Call Forwarding Wrap-Up

Now you know how to turn off call forwarding on all devices and make sure calls are received on your main number. Always start in the phone settings section of your device and look for the call forwarding tab. 

If you run into any problems, you can always contact your phone service provider for troubleshooting and support. This is especially important if you turn call forwarding on but are not receiving calls on that number or are missing calls entirely. 

Phone carriers will also allow you to manage call forwarding settings in your online or mobile account. If you are unable to successfully disable call forwarding through Phone settings, log in to your carrier account and attempt to do so there before reaching out for support. 

When deciding which number to use as your forwarding number, consider a second phone number app like Burner which allows you to redirect calls to a different number and interface without requiring you to add another physical phone. 

Turning off call forwarding can help you stay connected in real time to your friends, family, colleagues, and more. If you’re ready to deal with call traffic on your main number, follow the steps above to turn off call forwarding. 

Sources: 

Call Forwarding FAQs | Verizon Customer Support

Forward calls | Calling & Contacts | iPhone 7 | T-Mobile Support

How to Turn off Call Forwarding

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