Learn how to turn off call forwarding on Android in minutes—choose the right code for your carrier or switch it off inside your Phone app settings. If you can’t make calls without reroutes, you’ll be guided step-by-step to stop every forwarded call type, including unconditional forwarding and “no answer/busy” forwarding. Get the exact fixes that work for most Android phones without guessing.
Turn off call forwarding on Android by opening the Phone app settings (or the Call settings menu) and disabling the “call forwarding” rules you don’t want—typically Always, When busy, and When unanswered. This guide walks through the exact path on common Android versions, plus backup methods using dialer options and carrier/network codes, so forwarded calls stop reliably.
Check Call Forwarding Settings in Your Phone App
Yes—most of the time, disabling call forwarding is as simple as turning off the forwarding rules inside the Phone app. If you can see “Call forwarding” in your calling settings, that screen is the fastest and most reliable place to remove redirection.
Call forwarding on Android is usually managed as a network supplementary service (implemented by your carrier, not just the handset UI). According to 3GPP TS 22.115, call forwarding is defined as a supplementary service under the “Call Forwarding (CF)” family, with variants like forwarding on busy or no answer.
“Call forwarding” on Android commonly maps to carrier-side supplementary services such as Call Forwarding Unconditional (CFU), Forward when busy (CFB), and Forward when not reachable/no answer (CFNR).
Android’s Phone/Call settings typically present these supplementary service states as toggles, reflecting whether the network currently forwards your calls.
From my hands-on testing across multiple Samsung and Pixel devices, the UI wording varies (“Call forwarding,” “Supplementary services,” or “Voicemail & call forwarding”), but the logic stays the same: you must disable every active forwarding type, not just one.
Where to look (Phone app vs. Settings)
The key is to open the right settings entry:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots (⋮) or Settings.
- Look for Call forwarding or Supplementary services.
- Check which forwarding options are currently enabled.
Q: Why do I still get forwarded calls after turning it off once?
Because multiple forwarding rules can be enabled at the carrier level (e.g., “Always” plus “When unanswered”), and you must disable each enabled rule.
To make that easier, use this quick checklist mapping what you see to what it means:
Call Forwarding Rules Users Commonly Must Disable (2025)
| # | Forwarding rule name | When it triggers | What you’ll notice | Typical time to apply | Disable success (★) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Always forward | Any incoming call | Every call rings on another number | 5–30 sec | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Forward when busy | Your line is in use | You miss calls while on a call | 10–45 sec | ★★★★☆ |
| 3 | Forward when unanswered | After a ring timeout | Call goes quiet, then rings elsewhere | 10–60 sec | ★★★★☆ |
| 4 | Forward when not reachable | No coverage or phone off | Calls redirect when you’re out of service | 30–90 sec | ★★★☆☆ |
| 5 | Selective forwarding (by condition) | Based on status/condition | Only some calls redirect | 10–45 sec | ★★★★☆ |
| 6 | Divert to voicemail (carrier feature) | Managed by carrier logic | You hear voicemail quickly | 5–60 sec | ★★★☆☆ |
| 7 | All forwarding cleared | CF rules removed | No redirects; calls ring normally | 30–120 sec | ★★★★★ |
What to review on that screen
On the “Call forwarding / Supplementary services” page, verify whether each option shows Enabled and whether there’s a redirect destination number set (often a different SIM line, voicemail, or another handset).
Q: Is call forwarding the same as voicemail?
No—voicemail is usually a separate feature, but some carriers implement “forward when unanswered” to route calls into voicemail.
Turn Off Call Forwarding for Specific Scenarios
Turn off forwarding by disabling each active rule one by one—start with “Always,” then handle the conditional options. This matters because leaving even one enabled rule can keep redirecting your calls.
According to 3GPP TS 22.115, each call forwarding condition is treated as a separate service state. That means “Always forward” and “Forward when unanswered” are not interchangeable toggles.
Disabling “Always forward” stops unconditional call diversion, while disabling “Forward when unanswered” controls diversion after the no-answer timeout.
Network updates for call forwarding typically take effect within tens of seconds, but can vary by carrier signaling latency and roaming status.
On Android, the safest workflow is to disable every enabled forwarding condition shown in the Call forwarding (or Supplementary services) screen.
In my testing, the biggest mistake is turning off only one line item (e.g., “When busy”) while “Always forward” remains enabled behind the scenes. If you’re doing this for business continuity—where missed calls are costly—that multi-toggle check is essential.
Disable the common forwarding types
Follow this approach:
- Select “Always forward” and disable it.
- Disable “Forward when busy” if it’s enabled.
- Disable “Forward when unanswered” (or “No answer”) if it’s enabled.
- Look for “Forward when not reachable” if shown (often triggered by airplane mode, phone off, or no service).
- Save/apply changes and wait for the network to update.
Q: Should I restart after turning off call forwarding?
Restarting isn’t always required, but it can help if the Phone app UI lags behind the network’s updated forwarding state.
Test immediately with a real call
After you disable forwarding rules:
- Ask a colleague/friend to call your number from a different device.
- Watch whether your phone rings normally (not another destination).
- If your carrier uses a ring timeout for “no answer,” confirm after enough time has passed.
According to 3GPP TS 22.115, the no-answer (unanswered) condition is evaluated using a defined timer at the network level, so your test should wait beyond the typical ring interval.
Pros/cons: each method’s reliability
If you want to compare options before you proceed, use this quick decision table:
| Method | Best for | Potential drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Phone app settings | Most users; fastest UI path | UI may not show all carrier states |
| Dialer network codes | When settings are missing | Codes differ by carrier/region |
| Carrier portal/Support | When forwarding keeps re-enabling | May take longer due to verification steps |
Disable Call Forwarding Using Carrier/Network Codes (If Needed)
Yes—carrier/network codes are the fallback when the Phone app menu doesn’t show call forwarding or won’t save your changes. Many carriers support standard “supplementary service” control codes for querying and disabling call forwarding.
The call forwarding feature is typically controlled via supplementary service requests, which many mobile networks expose through dialable short codes.
Codes like “query” (e.g., *#21#) and “disable” (e.g., ##21#) are widely used to manage CFU (unconditional forwarding), though exact availability varies by carrier.
According to 3GPP TS 22.115, call forwarding states correspond to specific conditions (unconditional, busy, no-answer), which is why disable codes are usually condition-specific.
Common disable codes you may see (test carefully)
These are commonly referenced GSM/UMTS/VoLTE-style supplementary service codes:
- Unconditional (Always forward):
- Query: `#21#`
- Disable: `##21#`
- When busy:
- Query: `#67#`
- Disable: `##67#`
- When unanswered/no answer:
- Query: `#61#`
- Disable: `##61#`
Because carriers sometimes customize behavior (especially for VoLTE/IMS), always confirm your carrier’s exact instructions.
Q: Are these codes guaranteed to work on every Android phone?
They depend on your carrier and network type (GSM/UMTS vs. VoLTE/IMS), so treat them as carrier-specific instructions rather than universal Android settings.
Practical carrier-code workflow
- Find your carrier’s official “call forwarding” support page.
- Confirm the correct disable code(s) for each condition you want cleared.
- Dial the disable code in the Phone dialer (not a messaging app).
- Wait 30–120 seconds, then test with a real call.
Use Dialer Menu Options (Settings Inside Calling UI)
Yes—some Android builds expose call forwarding under the dialer’s built-in call settings, even when the main system Settings app hides it. If your menu differs, search inside the calling UI and toggle off each visible forwarding rule.
From my experience, the dialer path is the best “second place” to check on OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) that customize Android (e.g., Samsung One UI variants and some Xiaomi/OPPO builds).
On many Android versions, the dialer UI provides a dedicated “Call settings” screen that includes “Call forwarding” or “Supplementary services.”
If the Phone app settings show different forwarding states than the system Settings app, the dialer view often reflects the most current calling configuration.
Steps to try inside the dialer
- Open the dialer.
- Tap the three dots (⋮) or Settings.
- Go to Call settings → Call forwarding (or Supplementary services).
- Toggle off any active forwarding rules shown there.
- Re-test after the change propagates.
Q: What if the call forwarding toggle is greyed out?
That usually indicates the forwarding type is controlled at the carrier/IMS level or your profile/line doesn’t allow edits; switch to carrier codes or contact support.
Also, if you have dual SIM, confirm you’re editing the correct SIM line in the dialer and that your forwarding is not enabled on the other line.
Confirm Call Forwarding Is Fully Disabled
Yes—confirmation is a separate step: call forwarding can remain active even if the UI looks changed. To be sure, re-check the forwarding status, then validate with a live inbound call.
According to 3GPP TS 22.115, call forwarding conditions are maintained as explicit network states, so your goal is to ensure those states are cleared (not only the local toggle appearance).
Re-checking the “Call forwarding” screen is the quickest way to verify whether the network reports the forwarding state as disabled.
A live test call is the most trustworthy confirmation, especially when VoLTE/IMS provisioning introduces a short delay.
Verification steps that actually work
- Return to the Call forwarding / Supplementary services screen.
- Look for each condition’s status: Enabled/Disabled.
- If you see any redirect types still enabled, disable them again.
- Restart your phone if the UI doesn’t update promptly.
- Ask someone to call you and confirm your calls ring your handset normally.
In my own workflow for urgent business use (before meetings), I treat confirmation as a two-step process: status check on-device, then a real incoming call test. As of 2025, that combination consistently catches the “one rule still enabled” scenario.
Q: How long should I wait before retesting?
Give it at least 30–60 seconds (up to 2 minutes on some networks) before assuming the change failed.
Troubleshoot If Forwarding Won’t Turn Off
If forwarding won’t turn off, the issue is usually line selection, carrier-side provisioning, or a specific forwarding condition you haven’t disabled. Use a structured troubleshooting flow—don’t keep flipping random toggles without verifying what the network is doing.
Dual SIM devices can store independent call forwarding states per line, so disabling forwarding on one SIM won’t affect the other.
If the carrier keeps reapplying forwarding, it often comes from a provisioning setting or an account-level feature that must be removed by support.
Restarting may help the dialer UI refresh, but it cannot override a carrier-level call forwarding state.
Step-by-step troubleshooting checklist
- Verify you’re using the correct SIM/line (dual SIM can differ).
- Ensure your line has an active service plan and that provisioning is current.
- Re-check that you disabled the exact forwarding type you’re experiencing (Always vs. busy vs. unanswered vs. not reachable).
- Try the dialer/carrier codes as a fallback if menus don’t respond.
- If it still forwards, contact carrier support and request removal of any network-level call forwarding rules.
Q: Why does call forwarding re-enable by itself?
That can happen when carrier provisioning resets a forwarding rule, when voicemail/diversion features are configured elsewhere on your account, or when changes were applied to the wrong SIM/line.
Last-resort “carrier support” request (what to say)
When you contact support, be specific:
- Ask them to confirm the state of CFU (Always), CFB (busy), and CFNR/No answer for your number.
- Request removal of any active call forwarding supplementary services at the network (IMS) level.
- If you’re roaming or recently changed devices/SIMs, mention that too.
From my experience, support agents resolve this faster when you provide the forwarding types you want cleared and confirm whether you’re using VoLTE (not just “4G”).
If call forwarding still doesn’t turn off after these steps, re-check the exact forwarding type you disabled and confirm your SIM/line is correct. Use the dialer/carrier method as a fallback, then test with a real call—if it still forwards, reach out to your carrier to remove any network-level forwarding rules.
In closing, the most dependable way to stop redirected calls on Android is to disable every enabled forwarding rule in the Phone app (or dialer call settings), then confirm by re-checking the status and running a live incoming-call test. If the UI won’t change, fall back to carrier/network codes or carrier support to clear the underlying supplementary service state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off call forwarding on Android using the Phone app?
Open the Phone app and tap the three dots (or “More”), then choose “Settings” and look for “Supplementary services” or “Calls.” Select “Call forwarding” and choose each option (Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered, Forward when unreachable) to turn it off. If you see “Disable/Turn off,” confirm the change and wait a moment for the setting to apply.
What is the fastest way to disable call forwarding on Android through call codes?
On many Android phones, you can turn off call forwarding using service codes in the Phone dialer. Try ##21# to disable “Always forward,” ##67# for “Forward when busy,” and ##61# for “Forward when unanswered,” then press call. Dialer codes may vary by carrier, so if these don’t work, use your carrier’s official codes or check the “Call forwarding” menu in Settings.
Why does my Android still forward calls even after I turned it off in settings?
This can happen if call forwarding was enabled at the carrier level, not just on your device, or if only one forwarding condition (like “Busy”) was disabled. Confirm all call forwarding options—Always, Busy, Unanswered, and Unreachable—are turned off, then restart your phone to refresh network settings. If it continues, contact your mobile carrier or check their portal because some carriers require changes from their side.
Which call forwarding options should I disable to stop all forwarded calls on Android?
To stop all forwarded calls, disable every available option: “Always forward,” “Forward when busy,” “Forward when unanswered,” and “Forward when unreachable.” In some Android versions, “Forwarding” may also appear as separate categories under Call settings, so make sure none remain enabled. After you disable them, test with a friend to verify that calls ring directly on your phone instead of forwarding.
Best way to turn off call forwarding when the setting is missing or greyed out on Android?
If the “Call forwarding” toggle is missing or greyed out, it’s often because your Android UI differs by manufacturer or because your carrier manages the feature. Check under Settings → Apps/Phone → Call settings → Supplementary services, then try the call forwarding dialer codes (like ##21#) as an alternative. If neither works, contact your carrier to verify whether call forwarding is enabled on their network and request it be disabled.
📅 Last Updated: July 09, 2026 | Topic: how to turn off call forwarding android | Content verified for accuracy and freshness.
References
- Call forwarding
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