How To Erase Call Forwarding | Stop All Call Redirects

The quickest way to erase call forwarding is dialing ##002# on GSM networks or *73 on Verizon, clearing all active redirect rules at once.

A call that rings at someone else’s phone while yours stays silent means a forwarding rule is active, often one you set months ago and forgot about. Learning how to erase call forwarding takes about ten seconds of reading and a single dial code — the fix is that fast for most phones and carriers.

Erase Call Forwarding In Phone Settings First

The most straightforward way to disable forwarding is through the Phone app’s settings menu. This method works when your carrier allows device-level control and the menu options are visible. The exact labels vary by phone brand and Android version, but the general path is consistent.

On most Android phones using the Google Phone app:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) and select Settings.
3. Tap Calls or Call settings.
4. Tap Call forwarding.
5. You will see each forwarding condition — Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered, and Forward when unreachable. Tap any that shows a number.
6. Tap Disable or Remove to turn off that rule.

On Samsung Galaxy phones, Samsung’s own guide shows a slightly different menu tree:

1. Open the Phone app and tap the three-dot menu (⋮).
2. Select Settings → Supplementary services → Call forwarding.
3. Choose the correct SIM (SIM1 or SIM2) on dual-SIM models.
4. Tap Voice Calls, then select the forwarding condition you want to disable.
5. Tap Disable.

After disabling, the phone should no longer redirect calls for that condition. If the toggle does not stick or the menu is missing entirely, the carrier controls forwarding at the network level — jump to the carrier codes below.

Carrier Codes That Erase Call Forwarding Instantly

When the settings menu is grayed out, missing, or simply does not hold the change, carrier deactivation codes send a direct network command that bypasses the phone’s software entirely. These codes work on virtually any handset because the carrier processes them, not the device.

The four main forwarding conditions each have their own disable code, and one master code clears all of them at once. Use the table below to match your symptom to the right code.

To use any code, open the Phone dialer, type the code exactly as shown, and press the call button. You should hear a confirmation tone or see a message on screen. Verizon’s official support documentation confirms *73 as the code to turn call forwarding off from the device, and recommends contacting customer service if the code fails.Verizon’s call forwarding deactivation guide outlines this step.

How To Verify Call Forwarding Is Actually Gone

A confirmation tone is a good sign, but the only reliable way to know forwarding is erased is to test it. A quick test call from another phone will tell you immediately whether your line rings as expected.

Run through this short sequence after disabling:

1. Dial ##002# and press call. The network should respond with a message confirming all forwarding is cleared.
2. If you are on Verizon, dial *73 and listen for the verbal or on-screen confirmation.
3. Have someone call your number. If the phone rings normally, forwarding is gone. If it still redirects, a specific condition may still be active — dial the individual code for the behavior you see (##67# for busy, ##61# for unanswered, ##62# for unreachable).
4. On dual-SIM phones, repeat the check on both SIMs by dialing the code with the correct SIM selected.

The success cue is straightforward: your phone rings, and the person calling hears a normal ring instead of a single ring followed by silence or a different greeting.

Why Did Call Forwarding Stay On After I Turned It Off?

When call forwarding reactivates or never seems to turn off, the carrier is almost always managing it at the network level. In this scenario, the settings toggle on your phone is essentially a suggestion — the carrier has the final say. A carrier code like ##002# or *73 overrides that because it is a direct network instruction.

The table below covers the most common hurdles and how to push past them.

Your Two-Step Erase Sequence

That covers the full path: start with the master code to clear everything, use the settings menu if the carrier allows device control, and then verify with a real test call. Just remember that if the settings won’t stick, the carrier code nearly always will — and a quick test call is the only check that proves the fix worked.