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On a supported cellular plan, open Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding, turn on Call Forwarding, choose the correct SIM or eSIM line if prompted, tap Forward To, enter the destination number, and tap Back. Apple’s current iPhone guide says the phone must be connected to a cellular network while you set up forwarding. Check Apple’s instructions.

Turn on call forwarding on iPhone 15

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then Phone.
  3. Tap Call Forwarding.
  4. Turn on Call Forwarding.
  5. If you use Dual SIM, select the cellular line whose calls you want to forward.
  6. Tap Forward To.
  7. Enter the complete destination phone number, including the area code where required.
  8. Tap Back to save the setting.

The destination can generally be another mobile phone or a landline. It does not need to be an iPhone, but the carrier must support call forwarding for your line.

When forwarding is active, an indicator normally appears in the iPhone’s status bar. Confirm it by calling your iPhone number from a different phone and checking that the destination rings.

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If your iPhone shows an older Settings layout

On some earlier iOS versions, the path is Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding. The iPhone 15 hardware has not changed; Apple has moved Phone under Apps in newer versions of iOS.

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Forward the correct Dual SIM or eSIM line

iPhone 15 models can use multiple cellular lines. Forwarding one line does not automatically forward calls to the other number.

  • Identify whether the incoming call is for your Personal, Work, or other labeled line.
  • Open the Call Forwarding controls for that specific line.
  • Configure forwarding separately if both numbers need to redirect.

Do not confuse Default Voice Line with call forwarding. Default Voice Line controls which number is normally used for outgoing calls; it does not redirect incoming calls. T-Mobile’s Dual SIM guide explains the distinction.

Turn off call forwarding

To restore normal incoming calls, go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding and turn the feature off. With Dual SIM, select the same line that was forwarded.

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After switching it off, call the original iPhone number from another phone. The iPhone should ring normally. The status-bar indicator disappearing is useful confirmation, but a test call is more conclusive.

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What to do if Call Forwarding is missing

The iPhone 15 supports the feature, but its availability is controlled mainly by the carrier, plan, cellular technology, and line configuration. If Call Forwarding does not appear, contact your carrier from the affected line and ask for unconditional call forwarding or forward all calls.

Ask the carrier whether activation requires a dial code, account portal, carrier app, or support agent. Also confirm:

  • Whether your plan supports forwarding.
  • Whether the setting applies to one SIM or both.
  • Whether forwarding to the chosen number is allowed.
  • Whether charges, international restrictions, or voicemail changes apply.

Carrier-specific differences

AT&T Wireless

AT&T says wireless call-forwarding settings must be changed from the wireless phone rather than online. It also says forwarding overrides wireless voicemail, and its wireless support information does not allow forwarding to international numbers. Calling-area or long-distance charges may apply depending on the service. See AT&T’s current call-forwarding terms.

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T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s iPhone 15 instructions use Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding → On → Forward To. Follow T-Mobile’s device-specific guide.

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Verizon Wireless

Verizon support guidance identifies *72 followed by the 10-digit destination number to activate forwarding and *73 to deactivate it. These are Verizon-specific instructions, not universal iPhone codes, and may depend on your plan or account type. Confirm them with Verizon before use. Do not substitute Verizon home-phone instructions for wireless instructions.

Other carriers and MVNOs

Do not assume that a code used by another carrier will work on your line. Check the carrier’s current support documentation or ask an agent for unconditional forwarding instructions.

Unconditional versus conditional forwarding

The iPhone setting described above is unconditional forwarding: calls are redirected immediately instead of waiting for the iPhone to ring.

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Conditional forwarding sends calls elsewhere only when the line is busy, unanswered, or unreachable. Apple does not provide one universal Settings workflow for these conditions. If your carrier supports conditional forwarding, contact it for the correct setup instructions. Generic GSM codes can vary by carrier and may change voicemail behavior.

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Call forwarding is not the same as Calls on Other Devices

  • Call Forwarding: Your carrier redirects calls to a separate telephone number. The receiving phone can be any compatible phone.
  • Calls on Other Devices: An iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch signed in to the same Apple Account may be able to handle calls through the iPhone, subject to Apple and carrier requirements.
  • Wi-Fi Calling: Routes calls over Wi-Fi but does not forward them to another phone number.

Standard call forwarding also does not forward texts, FaceTime calls, calls already in progress, selected contacts only, or the iPhone’s call history.

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Troubleshooting call forwarding

The switch will not activate

Check that the iPhone has cellular signal, that you selected the correct line, and that the destination number is formatted correctly. If it still fails, the carrier may require activation through its own system or may need to remove an existing forwarding rule.

Calls still go to voicemail

Make sure you configured the intended SIM or eSIM line and test from another phone. The setting may not have activated, or your carrier may be applying conditional forwarding or voicemail rules. Ask the carrier to confirm the forwarding status.

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The destination phone does not ring

Verify the number, call again from a third phone, and check whether the destination is busy, unavailable, or blocking forwarded calls. Carrier routing and voicemail behavior can affect the result.

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Only one Dual SIM number forwards

That is expected if forwarding was enabled for only one line. Configure the other line separately; changing the default voice line will not forward it.

International forwarding is rejected

International destinations may be prohibited by the carrier. AT&T, for example, states that its wireless service does not support forwarding to international numbers. Ask your carrier about its current restrictions and fees.

Forwarding will not turn off

Check the selected line, confirm that you have cellular service, restart the iPhone, and try again. If the switch remains active or calls continue forwarding, contact the carrier and request removal of the unconditional forwarding rule.

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Does forwarding make both phones ring?

Usually, no. Unconditional forwarding redirects the call to the destination rather than synchronizing two independent phones. Simultaneous ringing, call queues, business hours, or multiple answering devices generally require a carrier feature or a virtual business-phone service.

Does call forwarding cost extra?

There is no universal pricing rule. Costs can depend on the carrier, plan, calling area, forwarded minutes, destination, and whether the line is prepaid or postpaid. Check the current terms before forwarding calls regularly or outside your local calling area. AT&T specifically warns that long-distance charges may apply in some situations.

Final verification checklist

  1. Call the iPhone number from another phone.
  2. Confirm that the destination rings and can answer.
  3. If needed, test while the destination is busy to understand your carrier’s behavior.
  4. Turn forwarding off using the same line’s settings.
  5. Call the original number again to confirm that the iPhone receives calls normally.

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