Why don't I see Call Forwarding in iPhone Settings?

Because your carrier doesn't expose the toggle. AT&T, T-Mobile, and most GSM carriers require dialing a USSD code (`**21* #`) from the Phone app instead. Verizon and CDMA-rooted carriers do show the Settings toggle.

Does call forwarding drain my iPhone battery?

No. Forwarding is handled by the carrier's network, not your iPhone. The call never actually reaches your phone when forwarded, so there's no extra battery use.

Will I see missed-call notifications when calls are forwarded?

Unconditional forwarding (`*72` / `**21*`) — no, your iPhone never rings and gets no notification. Conditional forwarding (`*71` / `**61*`) — yes for calls that ring before being forwarded, no for calls forwarded while the line is busy.

Can I forward iMessages too?

No. Call forwarding is a voice-call carrier feature only. iMessage and SMS go separately — to forward texts you'd use Settings → Messages → Text Message Forwarding, which only forwards to your own Apple devices, not to another phone number.

Will the forwarded call show my iPhone's number or the original caller's?

The destination phone sees the original caller's number — your iPhone effectively introduces them. This is true for both conditional and unconditional forwarding on every major US carrier.

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How to forward calls on iPhone

Two paths: the in-Settings toggle (when your carrier supports it) or a one-line carrier code that works on every iPhone.

iPhone call forwarding is a carrier feature, not a phone feature — which is why the same iPhone behaves differently on Verizon vs AT&T vs T-Mobile. Verizon supports the in-Settings toggle; AT&T and T-Mobile typically don't (you dial a USSD code instead). Either path works on every iPhone model — there's nothing iPhone-specific to download or enable.

Option 1 — Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding

If your carrier supports it, this is the easiest path:

Open Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding.
Toggle Call Forwarding on.
Tap Forward To and enter the destination number.
Back out — the setting saves automatically. A small phone-with-arrow icon shows in the status bar while forwarding is active.

This option appears for Verizon Wireless, US Cellular, and most CDMA-rooted carriers. AT&T, T-Mobile, and other GSM carriers usually hide this menu — the toggle isn't there because their network needs a USSD code instead.

If you don't see Call Forwarding in Settings → Phone, skip to Option 2.

Option 2 — Dial your carrier's code

Open the Phone app dialer and dial the right code for your carrier:

Carrier	Forward every call	Forward when busy / no answer	Cancel
Verizon	`*72<number>`	`*71<number>`	`*73`
AT&T (wireless)	`*21<number>#`	`*61<number>#`	`##21#`
T-Mobile	`*21<number>#`	`*61<number>#`	`##21#`
Cricket	`*21<number>#`	`*61<number>#`	`##21#`
Mint Mobile (T-Mobile MVNO)	`*21<number>#`	`*61<number>#`	`##21#`
Visible (Verizon MVNO)	`*72<number>`	`*71<number>`	`*73`
Spectrum / Xfinity Mobile (cable VoIP)	`*72<number>`	`*71<number>`	`*73`

After dialing, press the green call button. Your phone either plays a confirmation tone (Verizon-style star codes) or returns a text confirmation within about a minute (GSM USSD codes).

If the code dials a weird-looking phone number instead of activating, you're missing the trailing # or pressed the wrong button. Re-check the code and use the green call button — not the keypad's enter.

Conditional vs unconditional on iPhone

Unconditional forwarding (*72 / **21*) routes every call away — your iPhone never rings.

Conditional forwarding (*71 / **61*) only routes calls when your iPhone is busy, doesn't answer in about 25 seconds, or is unreachable. Your iPhone rings normally; only the calls you miss get forwarded.

Most small-business owners want conditional. Pair it with an AI answering service like RingOwl and you keep the calls you can answer, and the AI catches the rest.

Cancelling iPhone forwarding

If you set it from Settings → Call Forwarding, just toggle it off in the same place.

If you set it via a carrier code, dial the carrier's cancel code: - Verizon / Visible / Spectrum: ***73. - AT&T / T-Mobile / Cricket / Mint / GSM: ##21# (cancel unconditional) or ##61#** (cancel conditional).

The phone-with-arrow icon in the status bar disappears when forwarding is off.

Try the carrier code generator

Pick your carrier and condition — get the exact code to dial, with a copy button.

Country

Carrier

When should calls forward?

Forward to this number (your RingOwl number, your other line, etc.)

Code preview

Enter the destination number above and the dial code appears here.

FAQ

Why don't I see Call Forwarding in iPhone Settings?: Because your carrier doesn't expose the toggle. AT&T, T-Mobile, and most GSM carriers require dialing a USSD code (**21*<number>#) from the Phone app instead. Verizon and CDMA-rooted carriers do show the Settings toggle.
Does call forwarding drain my iPhone battery?: No. Forwarding is handled by the carrier's network, not your iPhone. The call never actually reaches your phone when forwarded, so there's no extra battery use.
Will I see missed-call notifications when calls are forwarded?: Unconditional forwarding (*72 / **21*) — no, your iPhone never rings and gets no notification. Conditional forwarding (*71 / **61*) — yes for calls that ring before being forwarded, no for calls forwarded while the line is busy.
Can I forward iMessages too?: No. Call forwarding is a voice-call carrier feature only. iMessage and SMS go separately — to forward texts you'd use Settings → Messages → Text Message Forwarding, which only forwards to your own Apple devices, not to another phone number.
Will the forwarded call show my iPhone's number or the original caller's?: The destination phone sees the original caller's number — your iPhone effectively introduces them. This is true for both conditional and unconditional forwarding on every major US carrier.

Forward your line to an AI that books

RingOwl is a 24/7 AI answering service for small businesses. Forward your line with the codes above and the AI picks up every call, books appointments straight into your calendar, and texts you a summary. Free 7-day trial, no credit card.

Start your free trial →