Forward calls on an iPhone

There are two ways, and they do different things. Most shops want the first one.

Checked October 20, 2026against Apple’s iPhone User Guide: Set up call forwarding

Only the calls you miss

Most shops want this

Your iPhone rings first. This uses a short code from your phone company, typed on the iPhone’s keypad. Pick your company:

Type the code yourself. An iPhone won’t dial a forwarding code from a link, so tapping one does nothing.

Every call: the iPhone setting

This sends every call away. Your iPhone won’t ring for anyone while it’s on.

Where it is

  1. Settings
  2. Apps
  3. Phone
  4. Call Forwarding

  1. Turn on Call Forwarding. On a phone with two lines, pick the business line first.

  2. Tap Forward To and enter the answering number.

To stop: Turn Call Forwarding off again in the same place.

  • On an older iPhone, Phone is straight under Settings, without Apps.
  • Set it while you have cell signal, or calls won’t forward.
  • Don’t see Call Forwarding? Your phone company uses a code instead: pick it above.

Test it

  1. Call your business number from a different phone

    Not the answering number. That only tests the answering service.

  2. Let it ring. Don’t press decline.

    Declining can count as busy, which is a different setting.

  3. Check who answered

    Your answering service should pick up. If your voicemail answers, forwarding isn’t on yet.

Source: Apple’s iPhone User Guide: Set up call forwarding, checked October 20, 2026. Help pages change; the test above shows what your line does today.

Want Wakeman to answer the calls you miss?

Hear it answer as your business first, with no account needed. Once you sign up, your Forwarding page shows the steps for your phone with your Wakeman number already in them.

Hear it answer as my businessGet help checking my forwarding

Already using Wakeman? Open your forwarding page. Plans and what each one answers are on the pricing page. More free tools.