Your phone rings while you are on a job site, in a meeting, or traveling between appointments. You cannot pick up. The call goes to voicemail. The caller hangs up and calls your competitor.
Small businesses lose 30% to 35% of potential revenue to missed calls. Call forwarding fixes this by sending every incoming call to a number where someone, or something, can answer.
This guide shows you exactly how to forward calls on an iPhone. It covers the Settings method, carrier dial codes, conditional forwarding, common problems, and how to route your calls to an AI answering service so you never miss another business opportunity.
What Is Call Forwarding?
Call forwarding redirects incoming phone calls to a different number. When someone dials your iPhone, the call rings wherever you tell it to go.
There are two types of forwarding:
- Unconditional forwarding sends every call straight to another number. Your iPhone never rings.
- Conditional forwarding only sends calls when you do not answer, when your line is busy, or when your phone is off or out of signal.
Unconditional forwarding is best for vacations, after-hours coverage, and sending all business calls to an AI receptionist. Conditional forwarding is best when you want your phone to ring first, then send missed calls to a backup number.
How to Forward Calls on iPhone Using Settings
The fastest way to forward calls is through your iPhone Settings. This method works on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. If you use Verizon, see the carrier code section below.
Step 1: Open Settings Tap the Settings app on your home screen.
Step 2: Navigate to Phone On iOS 18 and newer, tap Apps, then tap Phone. On older iOS versions, scroll down and tap Phone directly from the Settings list.
Step 3: Tap Call Forwarding Scroll to Call Forwarding under the Calls section and tap it.
Step 4: Turn On Call Forwarding Toggle the Call Forwarding switch to the on position. It turns green when active.
Step 5: Enter the Forwarding Number Tap Forward To and type the full phone number where you want calls sent. Include the area code. If you are forwarding to an AI answering service or virtual receptionist, use the exact number the provider gave you.
Step 6: Tap Back to Save Tap the back arrow to return to the Call Forwarding screen. You will see the number listed next to Forward To. A phone icon with an arrow appears in your status bar when forwarding is active.
Important: You must be in range of your cellular network when you set up forwarding. If you enable it while out of service, the setting may not apply.
How to Set Up Conditional Call Forwarding
Conditional forwarding sends calls only when you do not answer, when your line is busy, or when your phone is unreachable. The iPhone Settings toggle only handles unconditional forwarding. For conditional rules, you use carrier dial codes.
Open your Phone app, go to the keypad, and dial the code that matches your carrier and the condition you want.
| Condition | AT&T / T-Mobile | Verizon |
|---|---|---|
| Forward all calls | *21*[number]# |
*72 + 10-digit number |
| Forward when busy | *67*[number]# |
*71 + 10-digit number |
| Forward when unanswered | *61*[number]# |
*71 + 10-digit number |
| Turn off all forwarding | ##21# or ##002# |
*73 |
Replace [number] with the full 10-digit phone number, including area code. End every code with # and press the call button. Wait for a confirmation tone or message.
If you do not hear a confirmation, try again or contact your carrier. Codes vary by plan and region.
How to Turn Off Call Forwarding
Turning off forwarding takes five seconds.
Through Settings:
- Open Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding.
- Toggle Call Forwarding off.
Through carrier codes:
- AT&T / T-Mobile: Dial
##21#and press call to turn off unconditional forwarding. Dial##004#to cancel all conditional forwarding. - Verizon: Dial
*73and press call.
After you disable forwarding, test it by calling your iPhone from another phone. It should ring normally.
Forwarding Calls to an AI Answering Service
If you use an AI answering service like Dark Harbor, forwarding your iPhone is the connection between your mobile number and the AI.
Here is how it works:
- Your business number rings your iPhone during the day.
- When you step out, enable call forwarding to your AI answering service number.
- Every incoming call goes straight to the AI, which answers in your business name, handles common questions, books appointments, and captures lead information.
- You get a transcript or summary of every call via text or email.
This is especially useful for:
- Solo professionals who step away from the office
- Tradespeople and contractors on job sites
- Consultants who travel between meetings
- Small business owners who do not have a dedicated receptionist
To forward to an AI service, use unconditional forwarding in Settings or the *21* carrier code. This sends every call directly to the AI so no caller hears a ringtone on your phone first.
If you only want missed calls forwarded, use conditional forwarding with the *61* or *71 code. Your phone rings first, and unanswered calls go to the AI.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The most common reason forwarding fails is the wrong number format. Follow these rules:
- Use a 10-digit U.S. number for domestic forwarding. Example:
5551234567 - Most U.S. carriers block international forwarding. Do not try to forward to an overseas number.
- Include the area code. Without it, the carrier cannot route the call.
- Do not add spaces, dashes, or parentheses. The carrier network reads only digits.
- If forwarding to a VoIP or AI service, use the exact number format the provider specifies.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Entering extra digits after the number. Verizon specifically warns that extra digits can send callers to a busy signal.
- Forwarding to a number that is switched off. The caller will reach that number's voicemail, not your iPhone voicemail.
- Forgetting to include the area code.
- Setting forwarding while out of cellular range.
Does Call Forwarding Cost Extra?
Most modern U.S. wireless plans include call forwarding at no extra monthly fee. However, forwarded calls may still use plan minutes or trigger long-distance charges.
- Verizon: No monthly fee on most plans. Forwarded calls are billed as if you answered them on your mobile phone. If you do not have unlimited minutes, forwarded calls count against your plan.
- AT&T: Forwarded calls are billed for the length of the call. Long-distance charges may apply if the forwarding number is outside your home calling area.
- T-Mobile: Included on most plans. International forwarding is blocked.
If you forward a high volume of business calls to an AI answering service, check with your carrier before you run up unexpected charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I forward text messages from my iPhone? No. iPhone call forwarding only handles voice calls. Text messages and iMessages still arrive on your iPhone. If you need SMS forwarding, use a business messaging app or a VoIP platform with SMS support.
Will callers know their call is being forwarded? Usually not. The caller hears normal ringing and does not get a notification that the call is forwarded. In rare cases, some carriers play a brief tone before connecting.
Can I forward calls to voicemail instead of another number? There is no native iPhone setting to forward calls directly to voicemail. If unconditional forwarding is off and conditional forwarding is not set, unanswered calls go to your carrier voicemail by default. If you want calls to go to a virtual voicemail service, forward to that service's phone number.
What happens if the forwarding number does not answer? The caller reaches the forwarding number's voicemail. If you forward to an AI answering service, the AI answers every call, so this is not an issue.
Can I set up call forwarding for business hours only? Not through the iPhone alone. iPhone forwarding is either on or off. For time-based forwarding, use a business VoIP service or schedule conditional forwarding through your carrier app.
Why do I not see the Call Forwarding option in my iPhone Settings? Some carriers, especially CDMA networks and certain prepaid plans, do not support Settings-based forwarding. Use carrier dial codes instead, or contact your carrier.
Does call forwarding work when my iPhone is turned off? Yes, if you use unconditional forwarding. The carrier handles the redirect, so it works even if your phone is dead or out of service. Conditional forwarding also works when your phone is off, because the carrier sees the phone as unreachable and forwards the call.
Can I forward calls from my iPhone to Google Voice? Yes. Enter your Google Voice number in the Forward To field or use the appropriate carrier code. Keep in mind that Google Voice has its own voicemail and routing rules.
Stop Missing Business Calls
Every unanswered call is a lost opportunity. Dark Harbor's AI answering service captures every call 24/7, books appointments, and qualifies leads. Forward your iPhone to Dark Harbor in seconds and never miss another business call.
Book a demo to see how AI answering works for your business.