Call forwarding is a handy feature, but some iPhone users can’t find it in their settings. If you don’t see the call forwarding option, it might be hidden or disabled by your carrier. You need to make sure your iPhone is in range of a cellular network and check your settings.
Sometimes, even with the right settings, call forwarding won’t show up. Restarting your iPhone or updating to the latest iOS might help. If those steps don’t work, contacting your carrier to see if they support call forwarding is a good idea.
Fixing this issue can be simple with a few steps. By following the guidance provided, you should have call forwarding up and running without much hassle.
📱 Why Call Forwarding Might Not Show Up on iPhone
If you can’t find the Call Forwarding option under Settings → Phone, it’s usually due to one of these reasons:
- Your carrier doesn’t support call forwarding
Some prepaid or regional carriers don’t offer this feature. - You’re using an eSIM or dual SIM setup
iPhones with multiple lines sometimes hide Call Forwarding for secondary numbers. - Temporary network or SIM card glitch
A network issue may prevent the phone from communicating with your carrier’s forwarding settings. - Outdated iOS version
Older iOS builds can occasionally cause missing menu options. - Device restrictions or configuration profiles
Managed or work devices may have restrictions that hide or disable Call Forwarding.
(Source: Apple Community Discussion, The Geek Page)
🔧 How to Fix “Call Forwarding” Not Showing on iPhone
Follow these steps to restore the missing Call Forwarding option.
1. Check for iOS Updates
Software bugs can sometimes cause missing settings.
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update
- Tap Download and Install if an update is available.
- Restart your iPhone after updating.
After restarting, go back to Settings → Phone and check if Call Forwarding appears.
2. Ensure Your Carrier Supports Call Forwarding
Not all carriers or plans include call forwarding.
To verify:
- Contact your carrier’s customer support.
- Ask if your plan supports GSM call forwarding codes.
If it’s supported, try enabling it manually using the carrier code method (see Step 6 below).
3. Reinsert or Reset Your SIM Card
If you’re using a physical SIM:
- Power off your iPhone.
- Remove the SIM card.
- Wait 30 seconds and reinsert it.
- Turn your iPhone back on.
This refreshes your connection to the carrier network, which may restore missing options.
If you’re using an eSIM, go to:
Settings → Cellular → Your Plan → Remove eSIM, then re-add it by scanning your carrier’s QR code.
4. Switch Cellular Lines (for Dual SIM Users)
If you have multiple lines:
- Go to Settings → Cellular → [Select Line] → Cellular Plan Label.
- Ensure you’re checking the active line (the one used for calls).
Then navigate to:
Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding.
Sometimes the feature only appears for the primary line.
5. Reset Network Settings
If the issue is network-related, resetting network settings can help.
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
This will reset Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular settings (you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward).
6. Use Carrier Shortcodes to Enable Call Forwarding
If the menu still doesn’t appear, you can manually activate call forwarding using GSM codes:
- To Enable:
Dial**21*followed by the number you want to forward calls to, then#and press Call.
Example:**21*1234567890# - To Disable:
Dial##21#and press Call.
These codes work on most GSM carriers (like AT&T, T-Mobile, Vodafone, etc.), even if the Call Forwarding menu is missing.
(Source: The Geek Page Fix Guide)
7. Check for Device Management or Restrictions
If your iPhone is issued by work or school, configuration profiles might hide certain settings.
- Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management.
- If you see a profile installed, tap it and check for restrictions.
- Contact your IT admin if you’re unable to modify settings.
8. Contact Apple or Your Carrier
If none of the above works:
- Contact Apple Support via apple.com/support.
- Or reach out to your carrier’s customer service — they can reset your call forwarding settings remotely.
📞 Where to Find Call Forwarding (When It’s Working)
Once restored, you can access it here:
Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding
- Toggle Call Forwarding ON.
- Tap Forward To, then enter the number where you want calls forwarded.
- Exit the screen — your settings will automatically save.
🧠 Bonus Tip: Use Visual Voicemail as an Alternative
If you can’t get Call Forwarding to work, consider enabling Visual Voicemail.
Most carriers support it, and it automatically saves missed calls as voice messages — no manual forwarding required.
✅ Final Thoughts
When Call Forwarding isn’t showing up on your iPhone, it’s usually a carrier or settings issue. Start by checking for iOS updates, verifying your carrier plan, and resetting network settings. If needed, use carrier shortcodes to manually enable call forwarding.
With these steps, you should be able to restore the missing option and forward calls seamlessly again.
Keywords: call forwarding not showing iPhone, missing call forwarding option, iPhone call forwarding fix, call forwarding not available, iPhone settings call forwarding missing, iPhone carrier issue
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding might be hidden by your carrier.
- Restarting or updating your iPhone can help.
- Check with your carrier if the problem persists.
Troubleshooting Call Forwarding Issues on iPhone
When call forwarding is not working on an iPhone, several steps can help identify and resolve the issues. The key areas to focus on include verifying the settings, checking network connectivity, updating the software, and trying advanced troubleshooting methods.
Verifying Call Forwarding Setup
First, it’s important to ensure the call forwarding setting is properly enabled. Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. Make sure the feature is turned on and the forwarding number is correct. If it’s not working, try turning it off and then back on. Also, check if call waiting is affecting the setting.
Network and Connectivity Checks
Network issues can prevent call forwarding from working. Ensure your iPhone is connected to a stable network. Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to check if the connection type affects the issue. Restart your iPhone to refresh network settings. If you use a GSM network, check with your carrier for any outages or service issues.
Software Updates and iOS Related Solutions
Outdated software can cause problems with phone features. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for any available updates. Ensure your iPhone runs the latest iOS version. For iPhones running on iOS 17, updating to the latest version might solve call forwarding issues. Restarting your iPhone after updating can also help.
Advanced Troubleshooting Methods
If basic steps don’t work, advanced methods can be tried. Reset Network Settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase Wi-Fi passwords and networks. Another method is to remove and reinsert the SIM card. If problems persist, contact Apple Support or your carrier for further assistance. They can check for account or network issues.
