Looking to disable the call forwarding feature on your phone to ensure you never miss important calls?
We guide you through the steps to turn off call forwarding on both iPhones and Android devices.
We provide you with the codes for major carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and more to easily disable this feature directly.
Learn how to manage your call settings effectively and stay connected.
Key Takeaways:
- Both iPhones and Android phones allow you to disable a feature that diverts incoming calls to another number. This helps ensure you don’t miss important calls.
- Disabling call forwarding on an iPhone and Android requires going through the settings and toggling off the switch.
- Major carriers provide specific codes to deactivate this feature. For instance, Verizon uses 73 and AT&T uses 21.
What is Call Forwarding?
This telecommunications feature allows incoming phone calls to be redirected from one phone number to another, ensuring efficient communication management, whether using landline telephones or virtual phone numbers.
There are two main types, conditional and unconditional. Conditional call forwarding happens only under certain conditions, such as when the line is busy, unanswered, or unreachable. Unconditional call forwarding sends calls immediately without any conditions. This feature is crucial in ensuring important calls are never missed and communication flows seamlessly.
Virtual phone numbers have gained popularity in the business world, allowing companies to maintain a professional presence without physical offices in every location. This feature is essential for businesses utilizing virtual numbers, enabling them to control their communication channels and ensure calls are directed to the right departments or individuals efficiently.
Why Would You Want to Turn Off Call Forwarding?
Disabling the feature that redirects your calls can be crucial to ensure you do not miss important calls, especially from key clients, and to maintain a proper work-life balance. One disadvantage of keeping this feature enabled is that it can lead to missed calls if you are not able to answer them promptly. This can result in lost opportunities, decreased customer satisfaction, and potential business losses.
Having this redirection feature constantly active can make it challenging to disconnect from work during non-business hours, blurring the boundaries between personal and professional life. By turning it off when not needed, you can have better control over your availability and focus on what truly matters at any given moment, allowing you to prioritize important calls and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
How to Turn Off Call Forwarding on an iPhone?
To disable this feature on an iPhone, users need to navigate through the iOS settings menu, ensuring they can manage their communication preferences directly from their device.
Step 1: Open the Settings App
The first step to turning off this feature on your iPhone is to open the Settings app.
Located on your iPhone’s home screen, the Settings app icon features a gear symbol and serves as a central hub for customization. Simply tap on this icon to launch the app, revealing a plethora of options to tweak your device’s settings. Navigating through various categories like General, Display & Brightness, and Privacy is made easy with the intuitive interface of the app.
Within the Settings app, you can access and personalize a wide range of features to tailor your iPhone experience to your preferences.
Step 2: Tap on “Phone”
Next, scroll down and tap on the Phone option within the Settings app.
Once you have tapped on the Phone option, you will be directed to a menu that offers various subcategories related to phone settings, such as call settings, sound settings, and network settings.
- From here, you can customize your phone settings to suit your preferences.
- To further explore each subcategory, simply click on the desired option, and a new window will open with detailed settings and configurations.
- Remember to navigate back to the main phone settings menu by using the back button at the top left corner of the screen after adjusting each setting.
Step 3: Tap on “Call Forwarding”
Once in the \”Phone\” settings, locate and tap on \”Call Forwarding\” to access the forwarding options.
To further adjust your settings, within the relevant menu, you will see various options such as ‘Always Forward‘, ‘When Busy’, ‘When Unanswered’, and ‘When Unreachable’. Select the specific condition you wish to modify. Once selected, enter the phone number where you want your calls to be redirected. Ensure the number is correct before saving the changes. You can also deactivate this feature by selecting the ‘Disable’ or ‘Turn Off’ option, depending on the device.
Step 4: Toggle off the “Call Forwarding” Switch
Toggle off the switch to disable this feature on your iPhone. Once you locate and toggle off this option, all incoming calls will no longer be redirected to another number. By deactivating this function, you ensure that all calls are directed straight to your iPhone without any diversion. This straightforward action ensures that your device receives all incoming calls directly, giving you greater control over your communication flow.
How to Turn Off Call Forwarding on an Android?
Disabling forwarding on an Android device involves accessing the phone’s settings, ensuring users can efficiently manage their call preferences.
Alternatively, users can use call forwarding dial codes like *73 or #21# to disable call forwarding on Android devices.
Step 1: Open the Phone App
The first step to disabling call forwarding on an Android device is to open the Phone app.
To locate the Phone app on your Android device, you can simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the app drawer. Once there, you can either scroll through the list of apps or use the search bar at the top for quicker access. If your device has a dedicated app button on the home screen, you can tap on it to directly open the Phone app. Once you have located the Phone app, tap on it to open and access its functions easily.
Step 2: Tap on the Three Dots Menu
Next, tap on the three dots menu located at the top right corner of the Phone app to access more options.
Once you tap on the three dots, a drop-down menu will appear offering various settings and features. You will find options like call settings, blocked numbers, and even advanced settings. If you are looking to customize your call experience, explore the ‘Call settings’ section. The ‘Blocked numbers’ feature allows you to manage contacts that are blocked from contacting you. For more intricate adjustments, delve into the ‘Advanced settings’ where you can fine-tune aspects like call forwarding, voicemail, and more.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Call Forwarding Settings’
From the dropdown menu, tap on Settings to proceed to the call settings.
Once you tap on ‘Settings,’ you will be directed to a range of options to customize your phone experience. In the settings menu, you can adjust various features such as call settings, notifications, display options, and more.
To further access the call settings, you may need to navigate through different submenus within the settings menu. Look for the section specifically dedicated to call settings, which typically contains options related to call forwarding, voicemail, blocking numbers, and other related features.
Remember, managing the call settings can enhance your communication experience and tailor your phone to your preferences.
Step 4: Tap on “Calls”
In the settings menu, find and tap on ‘Calls’ to access call-related options.
Once you have located the ‘Calls’ section within the Settings menu, you will be able to explore various options related to managing your phone calls. This includes settings such as call forwarding, call barring, call waiting, and more. By navigating through the ‘Calls’ menu, you can customize your preferences to ensure that your phone operates according to your specific needs.
Step 5: Tap on “Call Forwarding”
Once in the call settings, locate and tap on \”Call Forwarding\” to manage the forwarding settings.
Within this menu, you will find various options to customize how calls are redirected:
- Forward when busy: Redirect calls when the line is engaged.
- Forward when unanswered: Send calls to another number if not answered.
- Forward when unreachable: Route calls when the phone is out of reach.
There are various call forwarding options available, including forwarding calls to another number, ending forwarding, and turning off call forwarding on specific devices such as Android, iPhone, and landlines.
You can also set up specific numbers for forwarding or choose to redirect all calls. Remember to save your changes after adjusting the settings to ensure they take effect.
Step 6: Toggle off the “Call Forwarding” Switch
Toggle off the switch next to \”Call Forwarding\” to disable this feature on your Android device.
This straightforward process ensures that all calls made to your phone ring directly on the device itself without any redirection to other numbers. By turning off the forwarding switch, you effectively prevent the system from transferring incoming calls to another specified number. This action can help you maintain privacy and ensure that you receive all incoming calls directly. Once the switch is successfully toggled off, any incoming calls will only go through to your phone number, eliminating the need for redirection.
Codes for Major Carriers to Turn Off Call Forwarding
| Carrier | Code | Description |
| Verizon | *73 | Dial *73 to disable call forwarding on Verizon lines. This will ensure that calls come directly to the designated device. |
| AT&T | ##21# | Dial ##21# to disable call forwarding on AT&T mobile devices. Ensures all incoming calls are directed to the user’s device. |
| T-Mobile | ##004# | Dial ##004# to disable call forwarding on T-Mobile. Ensures all incoming calls ring on the user’s phone. |
| Sprint | *720 | Dial *720 to disable call forwarding on Sprint. Sprint users can also check the status or remove forwarding by dialing *72 and the number followed by #. |
| US Cellular | *720 | Dial *720 to disable call forwarding on US Cellular. Ensures that all calls are directed to the primary phone number. |
| Boost Mobile | ##21# | Dial ##21# to disable call forwarding on Boost Mobile. Ensures calls come directly to the phone without being rerouted. |
| MetroPCS | *73 | Dial *73 to turn off call forwarding on MetroPCS. Ensures calls are not forwarded to another number. |
| Cricket Wireless | ##21# | Dial ##21# to disable call forwarding on Cricket Wireless. Ensures calls are directed to the device without redirection. |
Conclusion
Disabling the call-forwarding feature ensures that you stay in control of your communication, reducing the chances of missed calls and improving overall efficiency.
By disabling this feature, you can avoid the inconvenience of your calls being redirected to unintended numbers, ensuring that important messages reach you directly.
It also promotes a focused work environment, allowing you to manage your time effectively without interruptions from unnecessary calls.
Taking charge of your call forwarding settings can prevent potential security risks associated with unauthorized access to your incoming calls.
FAQ's
How do I turn off call forwarding on my iPhone?
To turn off this feature on an iPhone, go to the “Phone” app and tap on “Call Forwarding” in the “Settings” menu. Toggle the switch to the off position and this feature will be disabled.
Can I disable call forwarding on my Android phone?
Yes, you can disable this feature on an Android mobile phone by going to the “Phone” app, tapping on the three dots in the top right corner, and selecting “Settings”. From there, you can turn off this in the “Call forwarding” section.
Is there a code I can use to disable call forwarding directly?
Yes, there are codes you can use to disable this feature on your phone directly without accessing the settings. For example, on AT&T, you can dial *73 to disable call forwarding.
What if I have a different carrier than AT&T?
Each carrier may have a different code for turning off this feature.. For example, on Verizon, you can dial *73 to disable call forwarding. It’s best to check with your specific carrier for the correct code.
Why should I turn off call forwarding?
Turning off this ensures that all calls come directly to your phone instead of being forwarded to another number. This prevents you from potentially missing important calls.
Do I need to have call forwarding turned on in order to turn it off?
No, you can turn off this feature at any time, even if it was not previously turned on. Simply follow the steps for your specific device or carrier to disable it.
Does disabling redirection affect voicemail?
No, not at all! Disabling this feature only impacts how incoming calls are handled when your phone is ringing or unavailable. Voicemail remains a separate feature and will continue to function as usual. You can receive voicemail messages even if redirection is turned off.
Will outgoing calls be affected by this change?
No, turning off redirection has no impact on your outgoing calls. You can continue to make calls from your phone as usual, regardless of the redirection settings.
Unsure if redirection is enabled? How to check?
There are a couple of ways to find out if your phone is set to redirect incoming calls. You can try dialing the code specific to your carrier (mentioned in the “Codes for Major Carriers to Disable…” section). If the code disables redirection, then it was previously enabled. Another option is to explore your phone’s settings menu. Look for the section related to managing incoming calls while your phone is ringing or unavailable. If a switch is toggled on or a specific rule is selected, then redirection is currently active.
Is it safe to disable redirection?
Disabling redirection is generally a safe practice. In fact, it can enhance your privacy and security by ensuring your calls are not being diverted to unauthorized numbers. However, there might be situations where redirection is useful, like forwarding work calls to your voicemail after business hours. Ultimately, the decision depends on your individual needs and preferences.
