How to Cancel Call Forwarding on iPhone

To turn off call forwarding on an iPhone, open Settings, select Apps, select Phone, select Call Forwarding, and switch Call Forwarding off. If that option is missing or calls are still redirected, the mobile carrier may control forwarding for that line and must provide the correct cancellation steps.

How to turn off call forwarding in iPhone Settings

Call forwarding sends incoming calls to another telephone number instead of ringing on the iPhone. When the carrier supports Apple’s Call Forwarding setting, you can disable it directly on the phone.

1. Open Settings on the iPhone.
2. Select Apps, then select Phone. On an older iOS version, Phone may appear directly on the main Settings screen.
3. Select Call Forwarding.
4. Wait for the current setting to load. The iPhone may need an active cellular connection to retrieve it.
5. Switch Call Forwarding off.
6. Return to the previous screen and allow a moment for the change to reach the carrier’s network.

This is the standard way to disable call forwarding on an iPhone when the setting is available. Do not erase the forwarded-to number or change unrelated Phone settings; turning off the switch is sufficient.

What to do if the Call Forwarding option is missing

A missing Call Forwarding option does not prove that forwarding is off. Its availability depends on the carrier, the cellular line, and how forwarding was originally configured.

Check these official resources for the affected line:

• Apple Support instructions for call forwarding, call waiting, and other iPhone calling features.
• The mobile carrier’s official support section for call forwarding or calling features.
• The carrier’s official app or online account, if it provides line and calling-feature controls.
• The carrier documentation supplied with the account or service.

Use resources for the exact carrier and line. Do not rely on forwarding codes copied from search results, forums, or instructions for another carrier because activation and cancellation methods are not universal.

How to cancel carrier-managed call forwarding

Carrier-managed call forwarding is forwarding stored on the mobile network rather than controlled only by the iPhone Settings switch. This may be the cause when the option is absent, the switch returns to the on position, or forwarded calls continue after it is switched off.

1. Confirm which cellular line receives the forwarded calls.
2. Sign in to the official carrier account and review calling features for that line.
3. Look for Call Forwarding, Conditional Call Forwarding, Calling Features, or a similar label.
4. If no control appears, contact the carrier through its verified support channel.
5. Ask whether unconditional or conditional forwarding is active on the line.
6. Request cancellation instructions verified for that carrier, account, and line.
7. Ask the carrier to confirm when the network setting has been removed.

Unconditional forwarding redirects every incoming call. Conditional forwarding redirects calls only in situations such as when the line is busy, unanswered, or unreachable. Tell the carrier which behavior you see so it does not remove the wrong feature.

How to confirm that call forwarding is off

After you cancel iPhone call forwarding, test the line instead of relying only on the switch. Use another telephone and keep the iPhone nearby with cellular service available.

1. Check that Airplane Mode is off and the iPhone shows cellular service.
2. Call the iPhone from another telephone.
3. Let the call ring long enough to verify that the iPhone receives it.
4. Answer the call and confirm that audio works normally.
5. Repeat the test without answering to observe what happens to a missed call.
6. If the iPhone has two lines, test each number separately.

The test is successful when an ordinary incoming call rings on the intended iPhone rather than immediately ringing another number. An unanswered call going to voicemail does not necessarily mean personal-number forwarding remains active.

What to do when iPhone call forwarding will not turn off

If calls remain forwarded, first check whether the iPhone communicated the change to the carrier’s network.

1. Restart the iPhone, then reopen the Call Forwarding setting and check the switch again.
2. Confirm that the affected cellular line is turned on and has service.
3. Move to an area with a stable cellular signal and try switching forwarding off again.
4. Open Settings, select General, then About. Wait briefly in case the iPhone offers a carrier settings update.
5. Install an available iOS update when practical, then test another incoming call.
6. If forwarding continues, contact the carrier through a verified support channel and ask it to inspect forwarding on the network.

Have the affected mobile number, account authentication details, and a description of the forwarding behavior ready. Do not share account passwords or one-time security codes with an unverified contact.

Does turning off call forwarding also turn off voicemail?

Turning off forwarding to another personal or business number should not be treated as an instruction to disable voicemail. Voicemail may use carrier-managed conditional forwarding when a call is unanswered, busy, or unreachable.

If the goal is to stop calls from going to another person while keeping voicemail, state that clearly when contacting the carrier. Ask the carrier to distinguish personal-number forwarding from the routing required for voicemail.

Frequently asked questions about canceling iPhone call forwarding

What is conditional call forwarding?

Conditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a stated condition occurs, such as no answer, a busy line, or an unreachable phone. The carrier may manage it separately from the iPhone’s main Call Forwarding switch.

Why do missed calls still go to voicemail?

Voicemail is normally a separate carrier calling feature. A missed call reaching voicemail does not by itself show that calls are still being forwarded to the unwanted number.

How do I remove call forwarding from an iPhone with Dual SIM?

Dual SIM gives the iPhone two cellular lines. Check and test each line separately because disabling forwarding for one number may not change the other number.

Will disabling call forwarding prevent missed calls?

No. Turning off call forwarding makes eligible incoming calls ring on the iPhone, but calls can still be missed when they are unanswered, the phone lacks service, or the line is unavailable.