How to Set Up Call Forwarding on an iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide

Isn’t it frustrating that you are on vacation with your family and enjoying your time, and you suddenly get a business phone call? Now, you’d feel pressured and have a heavy workload, even during family time. 

You do not want to pick up your call but also don’t want to miss any important business opportunity. 

This is where the call forwarding feature steps in and helps you out of this problem. 

You can set up call forwarding to route your calls to another specific person without missing any important calls and still enjoying your family time. 

In this blog, we will discuss how to set up call forwarding on an iPhone, its limitations, troubleshooting some common issues, things to consider before setting up call forwarding, and alternative methods for call forwarding on your iPhone. 

How to set up call forwarding on an iPhone

You can easily set up call forwarding on an iPhone by following some easy steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up call forwarding on an iPhone. 

Step 1: Open the “Setting” app on your iPhone

Step 2: Scroll down and look for the “Phone” option and click on that. 

Step 3: tap on the “Call Forwarding” option, and it turns green

Step 4: Click on “Forward to” and type the number of people to whom you want to forward your call

Step 5: now, if you’re going to stop forwarding a call, tap again on the “Call Forwarding” option. 

Limitations of the iPhone call-forwarding feature

The call-forwarding feature on your iPhone offers flexibility, and you can be sure that no important calls are missed with this feature. However, it not only has pros but also comes with some limitations and drawbacks. So, here are some limitations of the iPhone call-forwarding feature. 

• If you want to turn off call forwarding, you must remember to manually toggle the button off from the settings app. 
• You cannot set conditional call forwarding to start automatically at a specific time or time period of day. 
• Calls will not be forwarded on your iPhone if you are out of the range of a mobile network’s coverage area. 
• You cannot select specific numbers to forward calls. Either you need to forward all calls or turn off the call forwarding option. 
• Business phone calls and personal phone calls are both forwarded to the same second phone number. 

Troubleshooting common issues while call forwarding on an iPhone

There are slight chances you might experience issues while forwarding calls on your iPhone. This can be frustrating and can cause some serious issues. Issues can be seen due to some small malfunction of the device, glitches, or network carrier issues. 

Here are some of the reasons why you can face issues while forwarding calls on your iPhone. 

1. Setting Mistakes

Incorrect settings are one of the most common reasons why call forwarding on iPhones doesn’t work. You could experience problems with call forwarding if you set up the Call Forwarding feature, network functions, or even the Do Not Disturb settings incorrectly. 

This issue can be resolved by reviewing and adjusting the settings on your iPhone.

2. System Errors or Glitches

System errors are another common problem, frequently caused by a spinning wheel in the settings. These mistakes might easily result in all incoming calls being routed to voicemail rather than the specified forwarding number.

3. Hardware Issues

Hardware issues can also cause problems forwarding calls on your iPhone. This especially occurs if the problem is caused by a hardware or carrier network breakdown on your iPhone. Unfortunately, You are unable to resolve hardware problems on your own. 

If you think this is the problem, your best bet for expert assistance is to contact Apple Support or the support staff of your carrier, such as AT&T.

Quickly fix issues on your iPhone by yourself

Here are some of the effective methods by which you can solve iPhone call-forwarding issues. 

I. Reset call forwarding 

If the call-forwarding feature is not working properly, the first thing you can do is reset the call-forwarding option. First, disable the call forwarding option and re-enable it. Here’s how you can do it,

• Go to the setting
• Open the “Phone” option
• Click on the “call forwarding” option
• Toggle call forwarding off and wait for 30-40 seconds, and again toggle call forwarding on. 
• Enter the specific mobile number to which you want your calls to be forwarded. 

II. Reboot your iPhone

Reboot your iPhone if you encounter issues with any feature. If the problem is not major, rebooting your iPhone solves most problems. After rebooting your iPhone, set up the call forwarding option. You can easily reboot your iPhone by pressing the side button. 

III. Turn off LTE 

Sometimes, the iPhone’s call forwarding spinning wheel keeps spinning even after a minute or two. If so, there might be an issue with the settings or the iOS operating system. To fix this, you can either follow the steps listed below or utilize third-party software. 

Step 1: Activate the iPhone’s settings menu

Step 2: Select the cellular data option from the menu

Step 3: Disable the “Enable LTE” option. 

Step 4: Restart your phone after you have turned off that option, and you are ready to go. 

IV. Contact Apple Support 

If the above methods do not solve your issue, you can directly contact the Apple support staff. You can also get assistance at support.apple.com.  

You can address your issues via chat and log in with your Apple ID or the serial number of your product. 

5 Things to Consider Before Setting up Call Forwarding on an iPhone

While forwarding calls on your iPhone, make sure your region has good network coverage. Before setting up call forwarding on an iPhone, there are a few more things that you should consider. Let’s review some of the key aspects.

1. Don’t forward your calls to a busy number; if you set your second number as a busy number, the caller will not be able to connect with you. 
2. Confirm that your network provider supports call forwarding service. 
3. Be careful about the additional charge that your network provider charges you. Some offer the same service at a low price, whereas some charge more for limited service. 
4. Your iPhone must be on and active for call forwarding to work properly. 
5. While forwarding your calls to international numbers, check for the rates of international call forwarding. 

Alternative methods for call forwarding on iPhone

When you forward your calls from your iPhone iOS system, you only get limited features. You just forward your calls to the specific number, which means you don’t get any features and advance functions. 

There are several alternative methods for call forwarding on iPhones to ensure seamless communication and customize call routing choices effectively. 

Here are some main alternative methods for forwarding calls on iPhones. 

A. Use VoIP Service 

VoIP services are an advanced way of call forwarding over the internet, and the calls route through a VoIP service. Compared with traditional call forwarding, it will provide you with a few extra features and a little more flexibility. 

VoIP allows you to record personalized greetings, route calls to several devices, utilize voicemail transcriptions, and manage calls through an app or online interface. 

VoIP also makes it possible to divert calls internationally, saving money on traditional carrier fees. This is highly suitable for users who require advanced call handling, like professionals who handle both personal and business lines. 

VoIP service providers like Dialaxy offer you call forwarding options with broad functions and advanced features. 

B. Using Third-Party Applications

Third-party call management apps can more effectively control call handling and routing on iPhones. These applications offer call screening, ringing multiple devices at once, voicemail-to-email, and business-specific numbers. 

Most of them let users configure complex forwarding rules. It is possible to forward calls based on time, caller ID, or even location. 

Keeping your number private from a business number can help maintain some privacy while still connecting you to the same device.

C. Use the iPhone Call-Forwarding Code

Another alternative way to forward calls is by using an iPhone call-forwarding code. 

• *61* phone number#: You can use this code as the desired phone number to redirect your incoming calls to that number when the line is busy with another call. 
• *61*phone number#: use this code when the calls are not answered. Using this code lets you forward calls to another number when the call is not answered. 
• *62*phone number#: you can use this code when the number is unreachable. You can dial *62* followed by the forwarding number to redirect calls to the designated number if your phone is unreachable or turned off. 

Conclusion

Whenever you want to forward your calls to your iPhone, you can simply toggle the option of “call forwarding” option from your iPhone. The process is also simple, and you don’t need any technical assistance. 

This feature is crucial whenever you are busy or unable to pick up the calls. Despite some flaws, the call forwarding feature is a must-have if you are busy and don’t want to miss any important calls. 

FAQs

How can I forward a call on my iPhone when the number is unreachable?

When the number is unreachable, you can forward your iPhone calls using the code “*62*phone number#”. 

How can I turn off call forwarding on an iPhone?

You can easily turn off call forwarding on your iPhone. First, go to the settings, open “Phone,” click on the “call forwarding” option, and turn it off. 

What happens when you turn on call forwarding on an iPhone?

When you turn on call forwarding on your iPhone, all incoming calls are automatically redirected to the number you specified in the call forwarding settings.