The basic steps to disable call forwarding

Call forwarding is a phone feature that sends incoming calls to a different number. To turn it off, you dial a code on your phone, wait for a tone, then hang up. The exact code depends on your phone service provider and the type of call forwarding you set up.

The most common code is ##21# — this disables all call forwarding at once. Dial it as you would a phone number, press call, and you should hear a confirmation tone or see a message saying forwarding is off. If that code does not work, your provider may use a different one.

Before you start, know which type of forwarding you turned on. Call forwarding can send all calls to another number, send calls only when your phone is busy, or send calls only when you do not answer. Each type has its own code to turn off.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial ##21# to turn off all call forwarding at once on most phone services.
  • If ##21# does not work, contact your phone provider for the correct code, which varies by carrier and phone type.
  • You can turn off specific types of forwarding (busy, no answer, unreachable) using different codes if you only set up one type.
  • Check your phone bill or account settings online to see whether forwarding is currently active before you try to disable it.

Codes for different types of call forwarding

If you set up only one type of forwarding, you can turn off just that type instead of all forwarding. ##61# turns off forwarding when you do not answer. ##62# turns off forwarding when your phone is unreachable (off, no signal, or airplane mode). ##67# turns off forwarding when your line is busy.

These codes work on most carriers in the United States, but some regional carriers and older phone systems use different codes. If you dial a code and nothing happens, or you get an error message, your provider uses a different system.

Write down which code you used when you first set up forwarding if you still have that information. That same code, with ## at the start instead of *, will usually turn it off.

What to do if the codes do not work

If you dial ##21# or the other codes and hear nothing, or your phone shows an error, your carrier may not support code-based forwarding. Some carriers, especially prepaid services and smaller regional providers, require you to turn off forwarding through your online account or by calling customer service.

Log into your phone provider's website or app and look for a settings section labeled "Call Forwarding," "Call Management," or "Phone Settings." Most carriers let you see whether forwarding is on and turn it off from there. If you cannot find it online, call your provider's customer service number — it is usually on your bill or on the back of your phone.

Have your phone number and account information ready when you call. Tell the representative you want to turn off call forwarding, and they can do it on their end or walk you through the steps for your specific phone type.

Checking whether call forwarding is currently on

Before you try to turn off forwarding, you can check whether it is actually active. Dial *#21# on most carriers — this shows you the status of all forwarding settings without changing anything. Your phone will display a message showing whether forwarding is on and which number calls are being sent to.

If forwarding is off, the message will say so. If it is on, you will see the phone number that calls are forwarding to. Write that number down in case you need it later, then use the ##21# code to turn it off.

Some carriers do not support the status-check code. If *#21# does not work, you can still check your account online or call customer service to ask whether forwarding is active.

Call forwarding on smartphones versus older phones

The codes work the same way on both smartphones and older phones, but smartphones also let you turn off forwarding through the phone's settings menu. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Call Forwarding, and toggle it off. On Android, the path varies by manufacturer, but it is usually Settings, then Phone or Call Settings, then Call Forwarding.

Using the settings menu is often easier than remembering codes, especially if you have already turned on forwarding through that same menu. However, the codes work even if you cannot find the settings menu or if your phone is very old.

If you use a work phone or a phone managed by your employer or organization, the settings menu may be locked. In that case, use the code method or contact your IT department or phone administrator to turn off forwarding.

What happens after you turn off call forwarding

Once you dial ##21# and hear the confirmation tone, forwarding stops immediately. Any calls that come in will ring your phone instead of going to the other number. If you had set up forwarding because you were traveling or unavailable, make sure you are ready to answer calls again.

If you turned off forwarding but calls are still going to another number, wait a few minutes — the change can take a short time to go through the carrier's system. If calls are still forwarding after 10 minutes, dial *#21# again to check the status, or contact your provider.

Turning off forwarding does not delete any voicemail or message settings you have. Those remain unchanged unless you turn them off separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off call forwarding affect my voicemail?

No. Call forwarding and voicemail are separate features. Turning off forwarding means calls will ring your phone instead of going to another number, but if you do not answer, calls will still go to voicemail as usual. Voicemail settings stay the same.

Can I turn off only one type of forwarding and keep the others on?

Yes. Use ##61# to turn off no-answer forwarding, ##62# for unreachable forwarding, or ##67# for busy forwarding. If you only set up one type, turning off just that type leaves the others unchanged. Dial ##21# only if you want to turn off all types at once.

What if I do not remember setting up call forwarding?

Dial *#21# to check whether it is active and see which number calls are forwarding to. If forwarding is on but you did not set it up, someone else with access to your account may have done it. Contact your provider to review your account security and turn it off.

Do these codes work on all phone carriers?

The codes work on most major U.S. carriers, but some prepaid services, regional carriers, and older phone systems use different codes or require you to turn off forwarding online or by phone. If ##21# does not work, contact your carrier for the correct code or method.

Can I turn off call forwarding if my phone is off?

No. Your phone must be on and connected to service to dial the code. If your phone is off or has no signal, you cannot use the code method. Instead, log into your online account or call your provider's customer service to turn off forwarding.