How to Set Up Call Forwarding on iPhone

Call forwarding sends incoming calls from your iPhone number to another phone number, such as a work line, a landline or another iPhone. This guide covers the built-in iPhone setting, carrier codes for conditional forwarding, how to confirm forwarding works and what to do when the option is missing.

Before you start

Call forwarding is a carrier network service, not a feature that runs only on the phone. The iPhone setting sends your request to the carrier, and the carrier redirects the calls. Whether forwarding is available, which types are supported and whether it costs extra all depend on your carrier and plan.

• An active cellular line from a carrier that supports call forwarding.
• A cellular signal when you change the setting, because the request goes to the carrier network.
• The full number you want calls sent to. Include the country code if it is outside your country.
• On a dual SIM iPhone, know which line you want to forward.

Calls on Other Devices is a different feature. It lets an iPad or Mac signed in to the same Apple Account ring when your iPhone gets a call. It does not redirect calls to another phone number. To send calls from one iPhone to another iPhone, use call forwarding and enter the second iPhone's phone number.

Step-by-step instructions

Turn on call forwarding in Settings

• 1. Open Settings.
• 2. On iOS 18 and later, tap Apps, then Phone. On earlier versions of iOS, tap Phone directly in Settings.
• 3. On a dual SIM iPhone, choose the line you want to forward if you are asked.
• 4. Tap Call Forwarding.
• 5. Turn on Call Forwarding.
• 6. Tap Forward To and enter the number that should receive your calls.
• 7. Go back to save the number.

This setting forwards all incoming calls on that line. To turn it off, go back to the same screen and turn off Call Forwarding. The number you entered may stay saved for next time.

Forward calls only when busy, unanswered or unreachable

The iPhone setting only offers unconditional forwarding. Many GSM-based carriers also accept standard dialer codes for conditional forwarding. Open the Phone app keypad, type the code with the destination number, then tap Call. Support for these codes varies by carrier, so check your carrier's documentation if a code is rejected.

• Forward all calls: **21*number#
• Forward when there is no answer: **61*number#
• Forward when your line is busy: **67*number#
• Forward when your iPhone is unreachable: **62*number#
• Cancel all forwarding: ##002#

Some carriers do not use these codes. Instead, they offer their own codes, an account app or a web account page. If the codes do nothing on your network, use the method your carrier provides.

Check the output

After you turn on forwarding, make a test call to your iPhone number from a different phone. The call should ring at the destination number instead of your iPhone. If you set up conditional forwarding, test each case. For example, let a call ring out to check no-answer forwarding, or decline it to check busy forwarding, if your carrier treats a declined call as busy.

To check which forwarding rules are active on many GSM networks, dial *#21# for all calls, *#61# for no answer, *#67# for busy or *#62# for unreachable, then tap Call. The carrier's reply shows whether the rule is on and where calls are sent. Not every carrier supports these status codes.

Forwarded calls use the destination phone's own service. Voicemail behaviour, caller ID display and any charges for forwarded minutes are set by the carriers involved. Check these with your carrier instead of assuming they work the same way as on your iPhone.

Common problems and next steps

Call Forwarding is missing from Settings: some carriers do not show the option on iPhone. Use your carrier's dialer codes or account tools, or ask your carrier whether forwarding is available on your plan.

The setting is greyed out or keeps loading: the iPhone may not have a cellular connection to the carrier. Move to an area with a better signal, turn Airplane Mode on and off, then try again. If you use Wi-Fi Calling only, the setting may not apply until cellular service is available.

Calls still ring on your iPhone: make sure you set up forwarding on the correct line of a dual SIM iPhone. Check the destination number for typos and a missing country code, then run the status codes above to see what the carrier has saved.

Calls should go to your iPhone from another phone: set up forwarding on the other phone or its line, not on your iPhone, and enter your iPhone number as the destination. The steps depend on that phone's system and carrier.

Forwarding cannot be turned off: turn off the switch in Settings and dial ##002# if your carrier supports it. If calls are still redirected, contact your carrier, because the rule is stored on its network.