How to Turn Off Call Forwarding on Any Device in 2026

How to Turn Off Call Forwarding on Any Device or Network in 2026

Knowing how to turn off call forwarding on any device or network in 2026 is essential for ensuring you receive your calls directly to your primary handset. This comprehensive guide provides up-to-date instructions for disabling call redirection across various mobiles, traditional landlines, and specific network providers.

Whether you are using the latest iOS software, an Android device, specific handset brands, or universal dialling codes, deactivating this feature is a straightforward process. As telecommunications technology continues to evolve, understanding the universal codes and device-specific menus will help you manage your incoming calls effectively.

Summary

This guide explains how to quickly disable call forwarding on any device or network in 2026. It covers step-by-step menu navigation for iPhones and popular Android brands like Samsung, Motorola, and OnePlus. Additionally, it details how to use universal USSD dialling codes, manage landline settings, and apply network-specific methods for UK and international providers.

TLDR

• Call forwarding can be turned off directly through your mobile's settings menu or phone app.
• iPhone users can disable the feature by navigating to Settings, selecting Phone, and toggling Call Forwarding to off.
• Android users typically find this option in the Phone app under Settings and Supplementary Services or Calling Accounts.
• Universal USSD short codes, such as ##002#, can instantly cancel all active call forwarding on most global networks.
• Landline users can usually disable the feature by lifting the receiver and dialling #21# in the UK.
• Network-specific apps and bespoke codes are also available for international providers across North America, Asia, and Australia.

What is Call Forwarding and Why Turn It Off?

To turn off call forwarding means stopping your incoming calls from being automatically redirected to another telephone number or your voicemail. When this feature is active, your handset will not ring, and the caller is instantly routed to the alternate destination you previously selected. Disabling it restores your phone's normal ringing behaviour, ensuring you are reachable on your primary number.

There are several common reasons why users choose to turn off call forwarding. Many people activate the feature while away and need to disable it upon returning from a holiday or business trip. Others turn it off because they are missing important calls on their primary mobile and prefer to answer them directly. Additionally, deactivating the service is a smart way to avoid extra charges from your network provider while abroad, as redirected international calls can be costly. Finally, disabling all redirection is often the first step in troubleshooting general network or ringing issues before contacting customer service for further technical support.

Where to Turn Off Call Forwarding on Your Mobile

Deactivation can usually be done directly through your handset’s built-in phone app or its main settings menu. Modern smartphones are designed to communicate seamlessly with your network provider to update these preferences without needing to call support.

It is important to note that the exact location of these settings varies depending on your operating system. The menus on an Apple iOS device look and behave differently than those on an Android handset, so you will need to follow the specific steps for your particular device.

Disabling Call Forwarding on iPhone

To disable call forwarding on an Apple device, you must use the main iOS settings application rather than the phone dialler app. The process takes only a few taps and updates your network preferences instantly.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone home screen.
2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.
3. Select Call Forwarding from the list of options.
4. Wait a moment for the screen to load your current network status.
5. Tap the toggle switch next to Call Forwarding to slide it to the off position. The switch will turn grey when deactivated.

Disabling Call Forwarding on Android Devices

To turn off call forwarding on a general Android device, you will typically navigate through the default dialler application. Open your Phone app, tap the three-dot menu icon usually located in the top right corner, and select Settings. From there, look for an option labelled Calling Accounts, Calls, or Supplementary Services to find the forwarding toggles.

Samsung

For Samsung Galaxy devices, the menu structure is slightly customised by their One UI software.

1. Open the default Samsung Phone app.
2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down and tap on Supplementary Services.
4. Select Call Forwarding and choose Voice calls.
5. Tap on any active forwarding option (such as Always forward) and select Disable or Turn off.

Motorola, OnePlus, and Vivo

Motorola, OnePlus, and Vivo handsets use a very similar stock Android interface or slightly modified software, making their menu paths nearly identical.

1. Open the standard Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu icon and choose Settings.
3. Tap on Calls or Calling Accounts.
4. Select Call Forwarding.
5. Review the active rules and turn them off to restore normal ringing.

How to Turn Off Call Forwarding with Dialling Codes

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) short codes are a universal way to deactivate call forwarding without navigating through complex phone menus. By typing a specific sequence of numbers and symbols into your dialler and pressing the call button, you send a direct command to your network provider.

The standard Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) codes are used extensively in the UK and globally. To cancel all active call forwarding instantly, simply open your phone dialler, type ##002#, and press call. You will receive a brief on-screen message confirming that the service has been successfully erased or disabled.

How to Turn Off Call Forwarding When Unreachable

Conditional call forwarding is a specific scenario where calls are only redirected if your phone is turned off, out of network coverage, or currently engaged on another call. Many users rely on this to send missed calls to voicemail.

If you want to disable conditional forwarding specifically, you can use standard Man-Machine Interface (MMI) or USSD codes. To turn off forwarding when unreachable, dial ##62# and press call. Alternatively, to cancel all conditional forwarding rules at once (including when busy or unanswered), dial ##004#.

How to Turn Off Call Forwarding on a Landline

The process for disabling call forwarding on traditional home or office landlines involves using your telephone keypad to send a command to your local exchange.

To deactivate the feature, pick up the landline receiver and wait for a clear dial tone. In the UK, you typically need to enter the specific code #21# on your keypad. Once entered, wait on the line to listen for a high-pitched confirmation tone or an automated voice message verifying that the service has been cancelled. After hearing the confirmation, you can safely hang up the receiver. Please note that while #21# is the standard UK code, this can occasionally vary depending on your specific landline provider.

Turning Off Call Forwarding by Network Provider

Some mobile networks require bespoke codes or encourage the use of their official mobile applications to manage call settings securely. If universal device settings or standard GSM codes fail, you will need to rely on your provider's specific methods.

UK and International Mobile Networks

Different regions and providers have their own dedicated systems for managing network features in 2026.

• North American Providers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Spectrum, Bell): Many networks in the US and Canada use distinct star codes. For example, Verizon and Spectrum customers generally dial *73 to disable call forwarding, while AT&T and T-Mobile users often use #21# or ##21#.
• Asian & African Providers (Airtel, Jio, Vi, MTN): Customers on these networks can easily manage their settings using network-specific smartphone apps like MyJio or Airtel Thanks. Alternatively, standard network short codes provided via customer service SMS can instantly deactivate the service.
• Australian Providers (Telstra): Telstra customers can cancel standard forwarding by dialling #21#. They can also manage all conditional and unconditional forwarding rules directly through the My Telstra app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I deactivate my call forwarding?

You can deactivate call forwarding by navigating to your smartphone's built-in settings menu, dialling a specific USSD short code like ##002# into your phone app, or by using your network provider's official mobile application.

Does *73 disable call forwarding?

Dialling *73 is the standard code to disable call forwarding for specific North American networks, most notably Verizon. However, it is not typically used by UK network providers, who generally rely on ##002# or #21#.

How do I turn off call forwarding *#62?

The code *#62# is actually used to check the status of your conditional call forwarding when unreachable, rather than disabling it. To turn it off, users generally need to dial ##62# to cancel that specific rule, or ##002# to erase all forwarding rules entirely.

How do I turn off call forwarding on my iPhone?

To quickly turn off call forwarding on an iPhone, open the Settings app, scroll down to Phone, tap on Call Forwarding, and slide the toggle switch to the left so that it turns grey.