iPhone Call Forwarding Not Working? 10 Solutions Here!

Call forwarding is a convenient feature that enables users to forward the incoming calls on iPhone to another number they set. When users don't want to be disturbed by others, they can use this feature to avoid being interrupted. However, some users complain that the call forwarding on their iPhones doesn't work, and that they don't know how to deal with it.

If you are facing a similar problem as iPhone call forwarding not working, don't panic. In this article, we'll tell you 10 efficient methods to solve this problem.

Part 1: Why Is My Call Forwarding Not Working on iPhone?

Call forwarding is one of those features that should "just work"… until it doesn't. Let's walk through the usual culprits, from most common to sneakiest.

• Call forwarding is a carrier-dependent feature. If the carrier or the user's plan does not fully support it, the setting may appear enabled on the iPhone but not function correctly.
• Call forwarding requires an active cellular connection. Weak signal, loss of network access, or reliance on Wi-Fi calling can cause forwarding to fail.
• On Dual SIM iPhones, call forwarding applies only to the selected line. Calls received on a different line will not be forwarded.
• An invalid, incorrectly formatted, or restricted destination number can prevent forwarded calls from connecting.
• Some carriers limit the types of call forwarding supported. This can lead to differences between expected behavior and actual results.
• iOS glitches, recent updates, or account-level restrictions may interfere with call forwarding functionality.

Part 2: Top 10 Fixes for Call Forwarding Not Working iPhone

If call forwarding isn't working on your iPhone, missed calls can become a real problem. Many issues are caused by carrier settings, network problems, Dual SIM conflicts, or iOS glitches. Here are the top 10 fixes for call forwarding not working on iPhone to help you get it working quickly.

Method 1: Check iPhone Call Forwarding Settings

If the problem of call forwarding iPhone not working issue is caused by setting errors, you can try to fix it by turning off and on the Call Forwarding issue. This method will refresh the call forwarding feature and make it work properly again. Here are the steps you can take to check Call Forwarding settings on your iPhone.

• Step 1. Run the Settings app on your device and scroll down to choose the Phone option.
• Step 2. Click on Call Forwarding and then tap on the switch next to it to turn it off.
• Step 3. Turn on the switch again to allow Call Forwarding.
• Step 4. Click on Forward to, and type the number you want to forward calls to.

Method 2: Turn Off Enable LTE

LTE is a feature that is often used to load faster data and improve voice quality. However, when there is something wrong with the LTE service, the call forwarding feature on iPhone may also be affected. In this case, you will see the spinning wheel of iPhone call forwarding keeps rotating on your screen. You can try to fix it by turning off Enable LTE with the steps beneath.

• Step 1. Run the Settings app, and then head to Cellular.
• Step 2. Tap on Cellular Data Options to proceed.
• Step 3. Select the Enable LTE options and choose Off.

Method 3: Toggle Airplane Mode to Reset Network

Call forwarding on iPhone depends on an active cellular network. Sometimes, network glitches or temporary connection issues can prevent forwarded calls from registering with your carrier. Turning Airplane Mode on and off effectively resets the iPhone's connection to the cellular network, forcing it to reconnect.

• Step 1. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner (iPhone X or later) or swiping up from the bottom (earlier models).
• Step 2. Tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it ON. Wait about 10–15 seconds.
• Step 3. Tap the Airplane Mode icon again to turn it OFF.
• Step 4. Check if call forwarding is now working by making a test call.

Method 4: Update Carrier Settings

Call forwarding relies on carrier-specific settings that your iPhone stores. If these settings are outdated or misconfigured, the feature may not work correctly, even if everything else seems fine. Updating carrier settings ensures your iPhone has the latest network configurations, improving compatibility with call forwarding and other cellular features.

• Step 1. Open Settings → General → About.
• Step 2. If a carrier settings update is available, tap Update to install the latest carrier settings.

Method 5: Restart Your iPhone

In some cases, restarting your iPhone is an optional way for you to fix call forwarding not working iPhone. This method is rather simple yet effective. You can follow the steps below to restart your iPhone according to its model.

• For iPhone 8 or earlier: Keep holding the Side button until you see the slide to power off emerges on the screen. Next, drag the slider on the top of your screen to the right, and wait for the iPhone to shut down. After that, turn it on again by holding down the Side button, and your iPhone will get restarted.
• For iPhone X or later: Press and hold either volume button and the side (power) button simultaneously. Keep holding until the slide to power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the iPhone. After the screen goes completely black, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.

Method 6: Use TunesKit iOS System Recovery

Here comes the most convenient way for you to fix iPhone call forwarding not working, that is, TunesKit iOS System Recovery. Generally, this issue is caused by system glitches, and TunesKit iOS System Recovery is absolutely what you're looking for to help you out. As a professional system repair tool for iPhone/iPad/iPod, it can help you fix more than 150 system problems, including iPhone call forwarding not working, iPhone call failed, iPhone frozen screen, etc.

Even though your iPhone is on the latest version, this tool can fix it too. Therefore, there is no need for you to worry about encountering system errors when you use iOS devices.

Now, let's see how to deal with the problem of call forwarding iPhone not working by using TunesKit iOS System Recovery.

Step 1: Connect Your iPhone

Run TunesKit iOS System Recovery on your computer, and then plug your iPhone into it with a fitted USB cable. Choose the iOS System Repair option and the Start button to start.

Step 2: Choose Standard Repair

Choose a repair mode from Standard Repair or Deep Repair according to your own condition. To avoid data loss, we advise you to choose Standard Repair first.

Step 3: Download the Firmware Package

Now, you need to check the device information given by the software. If there is something incorrect, you need to change it manually before you click on the Download button.

Step 4: Start to Repair

Hit on the Repair button after the firmware is downloaded, and TunesKit iOS System Recovery will begin to fix call forwarding not working iPhone.

Method 7: Reset Network Settings

This will clear out your current network settings, including Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, VPNs, and cellular settings, but it often fixes issues with features like call forwarding.

• Step 1. To reset, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your passcode if prompted, and confirm.
• Step 2. Your iPhone will restart automatically, and you can test call forwarding again once it reconnects to the network.

Method 8: Contact Your Carrier

Some carriers have specific call forwarding settings or restrictions. Contact your carrier’s customer support to confirm that:

• 1. Your plan includes call forwarding.
• 2. Call forwarding is enabled on your account.
• 3. There are no blocks or limitations affecting call forwarding for your number.

Method 9: Update iOS to the Latest Version

Apple frequently releases updates to fix glitches in iOS, including problems with Phone and Call features. Updates often include improvements for network and carrier settings, which can resolve forwarding errors. Running the latest iOS ensures your device functions smoothly, reducing conflicts that may block call forwarding.

• Step 1. Ensure a stable internet connection. Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
• Step 2. If an update is available, tap Update Now button. After the update, check if call forwarding works.

Method 10: Contact Apple Support

If all the previous methods don't work, you may encounter a hardware issue which is hard for you to fix it yourself. If you want to fix it yourself, you may ruin the iPhone and make it worse. Therefore, we recommend you ask for help from Apple Support to fix your iPhone.

Part 3: Hot Questions about Call Forwarding

Part 4: Conclusion

We hope this post can be helpful to you when you meet the issue of iPhone call forwarding not working. You can choose one solution above according to your needs and conditions. If you want to solve your problem instantly without complex operations, we recommend TunesKit iOS System Recovery as your first choice. Let us know if you can deal with this issue with these methods in the comments section below.