What Does the Call Forwarding Symbol Mean?

What the call forwarding symbol means

The call forwarding symbol is a status indicator. It means incoming calls are being redirected to another number, to voicemail or to another device instead of ringing your phone normally. It usually looks like a telephone handset with an arrow pointing away from it. If you see it in the status bar or on a desk phone display, forwarding is switched on for at least one type of call, and some callers may not reach you directly.

How call forwarding and its icon work

Forwarding is usually handled by your carrier or phone system, not by the handset alone. When you turn it on, the phone sends the request to the network. The network stores the rule and redirects matching calls. The icon reflects that stored rule.

Most networks offer several forwarding conditions:

• Always (unconditional): every incoming call is redirected, and the phone does not ring.

• When busy: calls are redirected while you are on another call or after you decline one.

• When unanswered: calls are redirected after the phone rings without being picked up.

• When unreachable: calls are redirected when the phone is off or has no signal.

Whether an icon appears, and for which conditions, depends on the device, the operating system version and the carrier. Many phones show the symbol only for unconditional forwarding. The conditional types are often already set to send missed calls to voicemail, so showing an icon for them would be constant noise. Icon designs also differ between manufacturers. Treat the handset-and-arrow shape as a common pattern, not a universal standard.

What to do when you see the symbol

First, decide whether you meant to turn forwarding on. If you set it up yourself, for example to send calls to a work line while traveling, the icon is just a reminder that it is still active.

If you did not expect the icon, open your forwarding settings. On smartphones they are usually in the phone app's call settings, sometimes grouped under supplementary or additional services. The exact location varies by device and software version. Check which conditions are active and which number your calls are going to.

On many GSM-based mobile networks you can also dial *#21# in the phone app to check the status of unconditional forwarding. The code ##002# is widely used to cancel all forwarding rules at once. Not every carrier supports these codes. If they do not work as expected, confirm with your provider.

Treat forwarding to an unfamiliar number as a security issue. It means your calls are going somewhere else, possibly including voice calls that deliver verification codes. Turn it off, and contact your carrier if it comes back or you cannot remove it.

Desktop calling apps and business phone systems often have their own forwarding or redirect settings, separate from your mobile carrier. If calls in a computer-based app are not reaching you, check the forwarding options in that app or ask your administrator. Your phone's status bar icon will not show these settings.

Limits and related questions

The icon confirms that forwarding is configured, not that it works. If the destination number is wrong or disconnected, calls can fail even while the icon is showing.

No icon does not guarantee that forwarding is off. Forwarding for busy, unanswered or unreachable calls may be active without any indicator, so check the settings if calls are going missing.

Some manufacturers and carriers call the feature call divert or call diversion. It is the same function under a different name.

On dual-SIM phones, forwarding is usually set separately for each line. The icon may apply to only one SIM.

Some carriers bill forwarded calls differently from normal incoming calls. Check your plan's terms rather than assuming forwarding is free.

Do not confuse the forwarding symbol with other call icons. Wi-Fi calling indicators usually include a Wi-Fi shape, and missed-call icons typically use a broken or bent arrow. If you are unsure what an icon means, your device's documentation or status bar legend is the reliable reference.