Call forwarding allows you to reroute calls from your iPhone to another number when you can‘t answer. Instead of calls going to voicemail or getting missed, you can forward them to a predetermined backup line.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn:
- What call forwarding is and its benefits
- How to forward all calls from your iPhone
- Steps for selective call forwarding when busy
- How to disable call forwarding
- Best practices when using this feature
Understanding call forwarding is key to never missing an urgent call again!
Overview: How Call Forwarding Works on iPhones
When you can‘t answer calls on your regular iPhone number, call forwarding kicks in to reroute those calls seamlessly to an alternate number you choose.
Your iPhone offers two main call forwarding options:
- Forward All Calls: Instantly sends 100% of incoming calls to the forwarding number continually
- Forward When Busy: Forwards calls only when you are actively on another call and misses the initial ring
You simply enable the appropriate option and input the 10-digit backup number you want calls sent to each time.
Top reasons for using iPhone call forwarding include:
- Never missing an urgent business call or client request
- Separating professional work lines from personal numbers
- Protecting confidential client information on a private voice line
- Screening incoming calls from unknown callers
Below I‘ll provide specific step-by-step instructions for setting up both forwarding options.
But first, let‘s dive deeper into why call forwarding deserves a permanent place in your iPhone toolkit.
4 Reasons iPhone Users Need Call Forwarding
Beyond just juggling calls from multiple numbers, here are four key benefits power users count on call forwarding for:
1. Freedom to Step Away Without Missing Calls
Life moves fast. You set your iPhone down to focus on family dinner or dash out for a quick errand without it glued to your hand 24/7.
But inevitably as soon as your phone is out of reach an ultra-important call comes in!
Instead of fumbling for missed call notifications and voicemail transcriptions, forward calls to your Apple Watch, iPad, or even landline instead.
2. Keeping Professional and Personal Lines Separate
Blending business and pleasure is famously bad for productivity and focus.
When client calls constantly interrupt family game night or you take personal calls at awkward moments in client meetings, no one wins.
Forwarding certain calls automatically gives you greater control:
| If call is from… | Forward to… |
|---|---|
| Known business contacts | My office landline |
| Unknown callers | My voicemail screening number |
Now you dictate appropriate times for handling each call type.
3. Added Privacy for Confidential Calls
Doctors, therapists, accountants, lawyers, and other professionals take confidential client calls daily from their iPhones.
But voicemails, caller ID, call logs, notifications, and more expose your clients‘ sensitive information to risks like:
- Data leaks or theft
- HIPAA compliance violations
- Loss of professional credibility
Enable call forwarding to instantly reroute these confidential calls to a private line instead of your primary device. Limit risk while still staying connected.
4. Reduced Interruptions For Deep Work
We all crave those glorious few hours of nonstop deep work at peak mental performance levels.
But inevitably 5 minutes in your iPhone erupts with yet another call or FaceTime request. There goes that precious momentum and focused state of flow!
Bounce calls automatically over to a secondary number to keep distractions at bay.
Check voicemails and return messages only during designated breaks in your schedule for improved productivity.
Now that you see the immense value having call forwarding brings daily, let‘s get it set up right.
Mastering Call Forwarding Settings on iPhone
You can enable call forwarding directly from the stock Phone app found on every iPhone‘s home screen.
Once configured, all iPhone call forwarding rules apply network-wide to your primary device number. This covers calls coming in over Wi-Fi Calling as well as traditional cell towers.
Below I‘ll provide concise steps to activate the two main call forwarding functions: forward all calls instantly or only kick into action when you miss an incoming call.
Activate Forward All Calls
Set your iPhone to divert 100% of calls automatically to keep important connections from ever reaching voicemail.
- Open the Phone app then tap the numeric keypad
- Dial
*72 - Input the 10-digit forwarding number
- Tap the green Call button
- Listen for confirmation beeps
Now until you manually deactivate this setting all calls large and small get sent straight to your backup line of choice!
Forward Calls Only When Busy
If you still want to field calls primarily on your iPhone but need a backup safety net for times you‘re occupied, follow these steps instead:
- Open Phone and tap the keypad
- Enter
*71 - Input 10-digit forwarding number
- Tap the green Call button
- Listen for confirmation beeps
With call forwarding when busy enabled, calls only redirect automatically during these specific scenarios:
- You are already on another call
- You decline an incoming call
- Your iPhone is powered off
The rest of the time calls ring your device directly as normal.
Turn Off iPhone Call Forwarding
Once your schedule frees up or important calls finish coming in, disabling call forwarding takes just seconds:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the keypad
- Dial
*73 - Tap the green Call button
- Listen for confirmation beeps
And your iPhone immediately resumes its default state sending all calls directly to you first.
Call Forwarding Setup Checklist
To recap, here is a handy checklist covering the key steps for activating call forwarding on your iPhone correctly:
Forward All Calls
👉 Open Phone app
👉 Enter *72
👉 Input 10-digit forwarding number
👉 Tap the green Call button
👉 Listen for confirmation beeps
Forward When Busy
👉 Open Phone app
👉 Enter *71
👉 Input 10-digit forwarding number
👉 Tap the green Call button
👉 Listen for confirmation beeps
Disable Call Forwarding
👉 Open Phone app
👉 Enter *73
👉 Tap the green Call button
👉 Listen for confirmation beeps
Bookmark this article to easily refer back to these commands when needed!
FAQs: Your Top iPhone Call Forwarding Questions Answered
Let‘s wrap up with concise answers to common questions when first configuring call forwarding:
Does iPhone call forwarding cost extra?
Most major carriers include call forwarding support by default with no extra fees. But confirm with your cellular or other voice line provider.
What happens to voicemails received during call forwarding?
Voicemails get stored in your standard iPhone voicemail box per usual. Access them via the Voicemail tab in Phone or Visual Voicemail app.
Can you set multiple call forwarding numbers?
Unfortunately you can only have one active forwarding number on iPhone at a time. But look into advanced call forwarding services and apps to forward to groups.
Does call forwarding reduce iPhone battery life?
Minimally. The few extra processes running in background use little additional energy. Much less than display, gaming, etc.
Will I keep getting text messages when forwarding calls?
Yes! Call forwarding only affects phone calls not SMS/MMS messages. Those continue coming to your iPhoneMessages app directly.
And that wraps up this complete guide detailing how to forward calls on your iPhone for ultimate call management flexibility! Never miss another urgent call with these pro tips.
