Call forwarding is a helpful feature that allows you to redirect calls from one phone number to another. While it can be useful in certain situations, there are times when you may want to deactivate it. Whether you’re trying to save on mobile data usage, ensure your calls come through on the right device, or simply stop redirection for personal reasons, it’s important to know how to deactivate call forwarding.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to deactivate call forwarding on various devices and carriers. We’ll also explore why you might want to deactivate it and provide solutions for the most common issues related to call forwarding.
Table of Contents
- What is Call Forwarding?
- Why You Might Want to Deactivate Call Forwarding
- How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on Different Devices
- How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on Android
- How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on iPhone
- How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on Other Mobile Phones
- How to Deactivate Call Forwarding Through Your Carrier
- Deactivating Call Forwarding Using Carrier Codes
- Contacting Your Carrier to Disable Call Forwarding
- Troubleshooting Call Forwarding Issues
- Conclusion
What is Call Forwarding?
Call forwarding is a feature provided by most mobile service providers that lets you automatically redirect incoming calls from one phone number to another. For instance, you might use call forwarding when you’re traveling and want to receive calls on your secondary phone or if you’re busy and want calls to go to voicemail or another number.
There are several types of call forwarding, including:
- Unconditional Call Forwarding: This type forwards all calls, regardless of whether you’re on a call or not.
- Call Forwarding When Busy: This forwards calls only when you’re already engaged in another call.
- Call Forwarding When Unanswered: This forwards calls when you don’t pick up within a certain number of rings.
- Call Forwarding When Reachable (Unavailable Forwarding): This redirects calls when your phone is turned off or out of coverage.
Why You Might Want to Deactivate Call Forwarding
While call forwarding can be a useful feature, there are several reasons you might want to deactivate it, including:
- Preventing Unwanted Charges: If you’ve forwarded calls to a number that incurs additional costs, deactivating call forwarding will help you avoid extra charges.
- Ensuring Call Delivery to Your Primary Number: If you accidentally enabled call forwarding and it’s sending your calls to a different phone, deactivating the feature ensures calls reach your primary device.
- Privacy Concerns: If you no longer want to forward your calls to a particular number for privacy reasons, disabling this feature gives you control over who can reach you.
- Resolving Issues: Sometimes, you might be unable to receive calls because call forwarding is activated. Disabling it resolves this issue.
- Mobile Data and Battery Efficiency: Deactivating call forwarding can help save on mobile data usage, as the redirection process may consume additional resources, especially when forwarding to international numbers.
How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on Different Devices
Deactivating call forwarding is simple, but the process varies depending on your phone’s operating system or device type. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to disable call forwarding on Android, iPhone, and other devices.
How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on Android
To deactivate call forwarding on most Android devices, follow these steps:
- Open the Phone App: Tap the phone icon on your home screen or app drawer to open the dialer.
- Access the Settings: Tap the three dots in the top right corner to open the settings menu. Select Settings or Call Settings.
- Find Call Forwarding: Scroll through the menu and look for an option labeled Call Forwarding or Additional Settings.
- Deactivate Call Forwarding: Once you’re in the Call Forwarding settings, you’ll see different options for various types of forwarding (e.g., forward when busy, forward when unanswered). Tap on each one and select Turn Off or Disable.
- Confirm the Action: In some cases, you may need to confirm the action or enter a password to disable the feature.
Note: The steps above are general guidelines. The specific location and labels may vary depending on your Android phone model or the version of Android you’re using.
How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on iPhone
Disabling call forwarding on an iPhone is even easier. Here’s how:
- Open Settings: Launch the Settings app from your home screen.
- Go to Phone Settings: Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Access Call Forwarding: In the Phone settings, tap on Call Forwarding.
- Turn Off Call Forwarding: Toggle the switch to the off position to deactivate call forwarding.
Your calls will no longer be forwarded to any other number once you disable the feature.
How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on Other Mobile Phones
If you have a non-Android or non-iPhone phone, such as a feature phone or a device from a different brand, the steps to deactivate call forwarding will differ. Usually, these phones will have a Call Settings or Network Services menu where you can toggle call forwarding options on or off.
Refer to the user manual or online guides specific to your device for detailed instructions.
How to Deactivate Call Forwarding Through Your Carrier
In addition to managing call forwarding from your device, you can also deactivate the feature through your mobile carrier. Here are the main methods for doing so:
Deactivating Call Forwarding Using Carrier Codes
Most carriers provide short codes you can dial directly to activate or deactivate call forwarding. The codes may vary by provider, but here are some common ones:
- For all types of call forwarding: Dial #21# to deactivate call forwarding on most networks.
- For forwarding when busy: Dial #67# to deactivate.
- For forwarding when unanswered: Dial #61# to deactivate.
- For forwarding when unreachable: Dial #62# to deactivate.
These codes are usually universal across all mobile networks. Simply dial the appropriate code and press call. Once successful, you should receive a confirmation message or hear a tone.
Contacting Your Carrier to Disable Call Forwarding
If you’re unsure about the carrier-specific codes or if they don’t work, you can always contact your mobile service provider’s customer service. A representative can guide you through the process or deactivate call forwarding on your behalf. You can reach out through:
- Customer Support Numbers: Dial the carrier’s helpline and request assistance in deactivating call forwarding.
- Online Chat: Many providers offer online chat support where you can easily communicate and request deactivation.
- Self-Service Portals: Some carriers have online portals or apps that let you manage call forwarding settings.
Troubleshooting Call Forwarding Issues
In some cases, you might face issues when trying to deactivate call forwarding. Here are a few common problems and solutions:
- The Call Forwarding Feature Won’t Turn Off: If call forwarding persists despite following the steps, restart your device and try again. If the problem continues, contact your carrier to ensure that call forwarding has been fully deactivated on their end.
- Incorrect Codes: If you’re using carrier codes and they’re not working, double-check the number for your specific carrier. Using the wrong code could result in failure.
- Calls Still Going to Voicemail: If you disabled call forwarding to a specific number but calls are still being forwarded to voicemail, ensure that you’ve disabled the Unanswered Call Forwarding or When Busy options in your settings.
More Ways to Manage Call Forwarding
While deactivating call forwarding is a common need, there are other ways to manage it to suit your specific preferences. Understanding the various features and settings of call forwarding can help you use it more effectively, or adjust it as needed when you want to redirect calls for specific reasons.
Temporary Call Forwarding
Sometimes, you may need to forward calls only for a short period of time. For instance, if you’re traveling and want to receive calls on a different number temporarily, you can set up a temporary call forwarding. Once the period is over, you can deactivate it easily.
- For Android: Open your Phone app > Go to Settings > Tap on Call Forwarding > Set the type of forwarding you want and specify the forwarding number.
- For iPhone: Open Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, and enter the number you want calls forwarded to. When done, disable the feature at any time.
Forwarding Calls to Voicemail
If you don’t want to forward calls to another phone, but you still want to avoid missing calls, you can forward them directly to voicemail. This is especially useful when you’re busy or out of service range but still want callers to leave a message.
On Android:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to access the menu.
- Select Settings and then tap on Call Forwarding.
- Choose Forward when unanswered or Forward when unreachable, then select Voicemail as the destination.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Phone.
- Select Call Forwarding and enter your voicemail number (usually, this is automatically set up by your carrier).
Important: Voicemail forwarding usually depends on your carrier settings, so ensure that voicemail is activated on your account.
Call Forwarding for Specific Contacts
On some phones, especially Android, you can set up call forwarding only for specific contacts. This can be useful when you want to redirect calls from certain numbers to another phone number while keeping calls from other contacts unaffected.
On Android:
- Open the Phone app and go to Contacts.
- Find the contact you want to forward calls from.
- Tap on their name, then select Edit.
- Look for the option to Forward Calls and select it.
- Enter the phone number where you want calls from this contact to be forwarded.
This feature may not be available on all Android devices and depends on the version of Android and the customization by the phone manufacturer.
Forwarding Calls Based on Time of Day
Some smartphones allow you to set up call forwarding based on a schedule. This can be helpful if you only want to forward calls during certain hours, such as after business hours or while you’re at the gym.
Using Third-Party Apps
If your device doesn’t natively support time-based call forwarding, you can use third-party apps to manage this. Apps like Google Voice or Call Forwarding Manager can offer more customizable solutions that enable call forwarding based on time, day of the week, or other preferences.
These apps are available on both Android and iOS, and they provide more detailed control over forwarding rules than what’s typically available through carrier or phone settings.
How Call Forwarding Works with International Calls
When you forward calls internationally, there may be additional costs involved. Call forwarding to international numbers is often charged at a higher rate than forwarding to local numbers. For instance, if you forward a call to a number in another country, you might incur both domestic and international charges depending on your plan and your carrier’s policies.
- Check Carrier Plans: Before forwarding calls internationally, check if your mobile plan covers international forwarding. Some carriers offer plans with international forwarding included, while others charge per minute.
- Using Wi-Fi or VoIP Services: If you need to forward calls to international numbers frequently, consider using services like Google Voice, Skype, or other VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) options. These services often provide lower rates for international calls.
Call Forwarding for Business Use
Businesses often use call forwarding as part of their customer service strategy. For example, businesses may forward calls to a voicemail system or to a different number during out-of-office hours.
In business settings, call forwarding can be integrated into automated phone systems (IVR) to route calls to the appropriate department, agent, or office. Some features include:
- Routing to different numbers based on time: Forward calls to an answering service or employee cell phones after business hours.
- Multiple numbers: Calls can be forwarded to different numbers depending on factors like department or agent availability.
- Customer support efficiency: Calls can be forwarded to the most qualified agent based on the query.
Tip for Business Users: If you have multiple phone lines for your business, consider setting up an automated system that forwards calls based on the time of day, department, or even the customer’s inquiry type.
Call Forwarding on Dual-SIM Phones
For dual-SIM phones, managing call forwarding can be slightly more complex, as you have two numbers to deal with. Many dual-SIM phones allow you to set up call forwarding on both SIM cards, so calls made to either number can be forwarded to another device.
- On Android Dual-SIM Phones: Go to the Settings app > SIM Cards & Mobile Networks. From there, you can select which SIM card to set up call forwarding for. The process is similar to setting up call forwarding on single SIM phones.
- On iPhones: iPhones typically allow call forwarding only for one SIM at a time. However, if you have a dual-SIM iPhone, you can choose which number to forward by going to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding.
Call Forwarding and Data Usage
Although call forwarding doesn’t directly use mobile data, certain forwarding methods (like forwarding to a VoIP service) may consume data. This can be a concern if you’re using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi for the redirection. For example, forwarding calls to services like Google Voice or Skype can use your mobile data, especially if you’re forwarding calls to international numbers.
Call Forwarding Without Internet Access
If you don’t have internet access but still want to use call forwarding, the process will still work for voice calls since it’s a feature provided by your carrier. The limitation here is that you won’t be able to use internet-based call forwarding apps or services like Google Voice or Skype without Wi-Fi or mobile data.
How to Ensure Call Forwarding Is Disabled
Sometimes, call forwarding might not fully deactivate even after you’ve followed the necessary steps. If you’re encountering issues, try these additional tips:
- Double-Check Settings: Ensure that all types of call forwarding (busy, unanswered, unreachable) are turned off in your phone settings.
- Restart Your Phone: After deactivating call forwarding, restart your phone to make sure the changes are applied.
- Carrier Help: If you’re still experiencing issues, contact your carrier’s customer support to ensure that call forwarding has been removed from your account.
In rare cases, some carriers may have special restrictions or features that override manual deactivation attempts, so they may need to do it on their end.
Call Forwarding Alternatives
If you’re looking for an alternative to call forwarding, especially when you’re unavailable, you might consider these options:
- Voicemail: A simple and cost-effective alternative. Ensure that voicemail is set up to take messages when you’re not available.
- Call Screening: Some phones have features that allow you to screen incoming calls, offering you the option to accept or reject them based on the caller’s number.
- Do Not Disturb Mode: Use Do Not Disturb (DND) to silence calls during specific hours, without forwarding them.
- Call Blocking Apps: If you’re receiving unwanted calls, apps that block specific numbers may be more useful than call forwarding.
Understanding all your options for managing incoming calls gives you more flexibility to maintain control over how and when you’re contacted.
Final Thoughts of this article
Deactivating call forwarding is a simple process, but it can vary depending on your phone model or carrier. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your calls reach you directly without being redirected. Whether you’re using an Android device, an iPhone, or a feature phone, managing call forwarding settings is essential for maintaining control over your incoming calls.
Remember that if you continue facing issues with call forwarding, contacting your carrier’s support team is always a reliable option. With the right steps and troubleshooting, you can successfully disable call forwarding and return to receiving your calls without any interruptions.
FAQs
1. How do I know if call forwarding is enabled?
- Check your phone’s settings or call forwarding menu to see if any types of forwarding are activated.
2. Will deactivating call forwarding stop all calls from being redirected?
- Yes, deactivating call forwarding will stop all types of call redirection unless specified otherwise.
3. How can I disable call forwarding remotely?
- Use your carrier’s service menu or dial the relevant carrier code to disable call forwarding remotely.
4. Can I deactivate call forwarding for just specific types of forwarding?
- Yes, you can disable forwarding for unanswered calls, busy signals, or unreachable calls individually.
5. Why am I still receiving calls despite disabling call forwarding?
- There may be another feature active, such as Do Not Disturb, or the deactivation request hasn’t been processed yet.
6. Does call forwarding cost extra?
- Call forwarding can incur extra charges, especially when forwarding to international numbers. Always check with your carrier for details.
7. What happens if I deactivate call forwarding?
- Calls will no longer be forwarded to another number, and will go directly to your voicemail or remain unanswered if you don’t pick up.
Summary
Deactivating call forwarding is a straightforward process that can be done directly from your phone or through your carrier. It helps you regain control over incoming calls and prevents unwanted redirection, saving costs and ensuring privacy. Use the steps in this guide to manage your call forwarding settings with ease.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information on how to deactivate call forwarding. The steps and codes may vary depending on your phone model and carrier. Always refer to your specific mobile service provider’s guidelines or seek assistance from their customer support for more accurate instructions.
