How to Enable Call Forwarding on iPhone 18 (iOS 27): Complete Guide

Need to send your incoming calls to another number? Whether you’re traveling, juggling a work phone, or just want calls routed to a colleague, learning how to enable call forwarding on iPhone 18 running iOS 27 takes less than a minute.

The quickest way: open Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding, toggle it on, and enter the number. If the option is missing, your carrier requires dial codes instead — we cover those below for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Note: iOS 27 forwards all incoming calls when this setting is on. For conditional forwarding (only when busy or unanswered), use your carrier’s dial codes.

Before You Start

Call forwarding on iPhone 18 is a carrier feature — your iPhone provides the switch, but your carrier handles the routing. That means:

• You must be in cellular range when enabling or changing forwarding, or calls won’t be redirected.
• The built-in setting only appears for GSM carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and most international providers). CDMA carriers like Verizon handle it through dial codes.
• On a Dual SIM iPhone 18, you’ll pick which line to forward before entering the number.
• Call forwarding redirects voice calls only — not SMS, iMessage, or verification codes.

Methods to Enable Call Forwarding on your iPhone 18 Series

This guide covers how to turn call forwarding on, forward calls on a Dual SIM iPhone, turn it off, and fix common problems.

Method 1: Enable Call Forwarding in Settings (AT&T, T-Mobile, GSM Carriers)

This is the easiest way to enable call forwarding on iPhone 18:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps.
3. Tap Phone.
4. Tap Call Forwarding.
5. Turn on the Call Forwarding toggle (it turns green).
6. Tap Forward To and type the full phone number — include the country code (e.g., +1 for US numbers) if forwarding internationally.
7. Tap Back to save.

A phone-with-arrow icon appears in your status bar whenever forwarding is active.

Don’t trust the toggle alone. Call your iPhone 18 from another phone and confirm the forwarded number actually rings.

Method 2: Enable Call Forwarding with Carrier Dial Codes (All Carriers, Including Verizon)

If you don’t see the Call Forwarding option in Settings — common on Verizon and some prepaid/MVNO plans — dial codes work on every iPhone 18 and iOS 27:

1. Open the Phone app and tap Keypad.
2. Dial the code for your carrier (see tables below).
3. Tap Call and wait for the confirmation tone or message.

Universal GSM Codes

Action	Code	Example
Forward all calls	`*21*[number]#`	`*21*5551234567#`
Forward when unanswered	`*61*[number]#`	`*61*5551234567#`
Forward when busy	`*67*[number]#`	`*67*5551234567#`
Forward when unreachable	`*62*[number]#`	`*62*5551234567#`

Verizon

Action	Code
Forward all calls ON	`*72` + 10-digit number
Forward when busy/unanswered ON	`*71` + 10-digit number
Turn forwarding OFF	`*73`

Example: dial *725551234567 and tap Call to forward all calls to 555-123-4567.

AT&T

AT&T supports both methods. For dial codes, use the universal GSM codes above, or #21# to cancel all-call forwarding.

T-Mobile (and Mint, Metro)

Action	Code
Forward all calls ON	`**21*1+[number]#`
Forward all calls OFF	`##21#`
Disable ALL forwarding types	`##002#`

How to Set Up Conditional Call Forwarding on iPhone 18

Conditional forwarding sends calls only under specific conditions — useful when you want your iPhone to ring normally first:

• No answer: *61*[number]# — activate · ##61# — deactivate.
• Line busy: *67*[number]# — activate · ##67# — deactivate.
• Unreachable/off: *62*[number]# — activate · ##62# — deactivate.
• All conditional rules at once: *004*[number]# · deactivate with ##004#.

Pro tip (T-Mobile): adjust the ring delay before no-answer forwarding kicks in by dialing **61*[your number]*[seconds]# — replace [seconds] with 5, 10, 15, or up to 30.

How to Turn Off Call Forwarding on iPhone 18

• Settings method: Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding → toggle off.
• Dial code method: ##002# (universal reset), *73 (Verizon), or ##21# (T-Mobile).

Remember to turn forwarding off after vacations, travel, or temporary coverage arrangements — it’s one of the most commonly forgotten settings.

Troubleshooting: Call Forwarding Not Working on iPhone 18

If call forwarding stops working after updating to iOS 27, work through these fixes in order.

The Call Forwarding option is missing from Settings

This is a carrier issue, not a broken iPhone:

1. Check if you’re on Verizon or a CDMA-based plan — these don’t expose the toggle. Use *72 codes instead.
2. Verify you have active cellular service and aren’t in Airplane Mode.
3. Restart your iPhone 18.
4. Check for a carrier settings update: Settings → General → About.
5. If you use Dual SIM, confirm you’re viewing the correct line.
6. Still missing? Contact your carrier — some prepaid and business plans restrict forwarding.

Forwarding is enabled but calls aren’t redirecting

• Wrong number format: use 10 digits only, no dashes or +1 unless forwarding internationally.
• Out of range: forwarding changes only save while connected to your carrier’s network.
• Test properly: always verify with a live call from a second phone.

FAQ: Call Forwarding on iPhone 18 (iOS 27)

Does call forwarding also forward text messages? No. Only voice calls are forwarded. SMS and iMessage stay on your iPhone 18.

Can I forward calls to an international number? Usually not — most US carriers restrict forwarding to domestic 10- or 11-digit numbers, and you’d pay international rates for forwarded legs anyway.

Does call forwarding work if my iPhone is off? If forwarding was already active at the carrier level, yes — calls route through the carrier’s network, not your device.

What does the caller see or hear? Normal ringing. Callers typically can’t tell the call was forwarded.

Can I forward calls from only certain contacts? No — iOS 27’s built-in forwarding is all-or-nothing. Selective routing requires a third-party VoIP or virtual number service.

Is there a code to check if forwarding is active? Yes — dial *#21# to check all-call forwarding status, or *#61#, *#62#, *#67# for each conditional type. A live test call is the most reliable check.

Security warning: Never enable call forwarding because an unknown caller or suspicious link asks you to. Scammers use this to intercept your calls and two-factor authentication codes. If you suspect unauthorized forwarding, dial ##002# to wipe all forwarding rules.

Final Check

Enabling call forwarding on your iPhone 18 running iOS 27 boils down to one path: Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding. If the toggle isn’t there, your carrier holds the keys — use their dial code, then confirm with a real test call. Thirty seconds of verification beats wondering for weeks why nobody can reach you.