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Call Forwarding on iPhone: Setup and Help

Updated 2026-08-24 · 933 words

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Where Is Call Forwarding on iPhone?

To turn on call forwarding on an iPhone, open Settings, find Phone, select Call Forwarding, and switch the feature on. Enter the trusted phone number that should receive your incoming calls, then leave the settings screen to save the change.

Call forwarding sends incoming cellular calls from your iPhone to another phone number. Depending on the iOS version, look in one of these locations:

  • Open Settings, select Apps, select Phone, and then select Call Forwarding.
  • On an older iOS version, open Settings, select Phone, and then select Call Forwarding.

The Call Forwarding row may take a few seconds to appear while the iPhone checks the cellular network. Availability depends on the carrier, cellular account, and network. Some carriers manage call forwarding outside the iPhone settings, so the option may be absent even when the carrier offers a forwarding feature.

How Do You Enable Call Forwarding on an iPhone?

Follow these steps to enable call forwarding on an iPhone from the built-in settings:

  1. Make sure the iPhone has cellular service.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Select Apps and then Phone. On an older iOS version, select Phone directly from the main Settings screen.
  4. Select Call Forwarding.
  5. Turn on the Call Forwarding switch.
  6. Select Forward To when that row appears.
  7. Enter the destination phone number carefully. Use the complete number required by the carrier and region.
  8. Return to the previous screen. The iPhone normally sends the forwarding request to the carrier without showing a separate Save button.
  9. Wait for the destination number to remain visible before closing Settings.

People searching “how call forwarding on iPhone” or “how to do call forwarding on iPhone” are usually looking for this setting. Call forwarding on iPhone is controlled through the cellular carrier, even though the switch appears in iPhone settings.

Forwarding normally applies to incoming cellular voice calls. It does not move text messages, voicemail already stored on the iPhone, app-based calls, or account information to the destination phone.

How Do You Turn Off Call Forwarding on an iPhone?

Turning off call forwarding tells the carrier to send incoming calls back to the iPhone instead of the destination number.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Apps, select Phone, and then select Call Forwarding. On an older iOS version, select Phone directly in Settings.
  3. Turn off the Call Forwarding switch.
  4. Wait briefly so the iPhone can send the change to the cellular network.
  5. Leave the settings screen and make a test call to the iPhone from another line.

The test call should ring on the iPhone when the device has service and no other carrier-level forwarding rule is active. If the call still reaches another number, restart the iPhone, check the setting again, and ask the carrier whether forwarding remains enabled on the cellular line.

What If the Call Forwarding Option Is Missing on an iPhone?

If Call Forwarding is missing on an iPhone, the carrier or current cellular configuration may not expose the feature in Settings. This does not by itself mean that the iPhone is damaged.

Check both possible menu locations: Settings, Apps, Phone, Call Forwarding; and Settings, Phone, Call Forwarding. Also confirm that the intended cellular line is active if the iPhone uses more than one line.

Carrier support can confirm whether call forwarding is available for the specific line and how that carrier manages it. Use only the carrier’s official support source or the support options shown in the carrier’s official app. Do not enter forwarding codes found on forums or unrelated websites because codes can differ by carrier, account type, and network.

What If Call Forwarding on an iPhone Does Not Work?

If call forwarding on an iPhone does not work, check the cellular connection and destination number before changing other settings.

  1. Confirm that the iPhone shows cellular service. The forwarding request may not reach the carrier without a working cellular connection.
  2. Open Call Forwarding and check every digit in the Forward To field. Correct any missing or extra digits.
  3. Turn Call Forwarding off, wait briefly, and turn it on again. Reenter the destination number if needed.
  4. Check for a carrier settings update by opening Settings, selecting General, and selecting About. If an update prompt appears, follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. Restart the iPhone, reconnect to the cellular network, and check Call Forwarding again.
  6. Call the iPhone from another line to test the result.

If forwarding still fails, contact the cellular carrier through its official support channel. Tell the carrier which line should be forwarded, what happens during a test call, and whether Call Forwarding is visible in Settings. The carrier can check network-level restrictions or forwarding rules without relying on unverified codes.

How Do You Verify Call Forwarding and Protect Your Privacy?

Verify call forwarding with a test call instead of assuming that the visible switch confirms the network change.

  1. Keep the iPhone and destination phone available.
  2. Call the iPhone from a separate line.
  3. Confirm that the destination phone rings.
  4. Answer and check that the call connects normally.
  5. After disabling forwarding, repeat the test and confirm that the iPhone rings again.

Use a destination number that belongs to you or to someone you trust. A person answering the forwarded phone may learn who is calling and may hear private conversations or voicemail prompts.

Check the Forward To field after entering the number, especially on a shared device. When forwarding is no longer needed, turn it off and complete another test call. These checks provide a practical answer to searches such as “how to call forwarding in iPhone,” “how to call forwarding iPhone,” and “where is call forwarding on iPhone” without relying on carrier codes.

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