Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your phone keeps ringing, but it's not actually ringing for you? Perhaps your calls are being redirected to an old number, a colleague's phone, or even an answering service you no longer use. It can be incredibly frustrating to miss important calls or have your calls go to the wrong place. If you're a Verizon customer and are experiencing this, chances are call forwarding is enabled on your line. But don't worry, stopping Verizon call forwarding is a straightforward process that you can usually accomplish in just a few simple steps.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to deactivate call forwarding on your Verizon line, ensuring your calls ring directly to you.
How to Stop Call Forwarding Verizon: Your Complete Guide
Let's dive into the various methods to disable call forwarding on your Verizon account.
Step 1: Identify Your Call Forwarding Type
Before you can disable call forwarding, it's helpful to understand which type of forwarding you might have enabled. Verizon offers a few different options, and while the deactivation method for the most common type is universal, knowing the specifics can be useful for troubleshooting.
Immediate (Unconditional) Call Forwarding: This is the most common type. All incoming calls are immediately redirected to another number, and your phone won't ring at all.
Conditional Call Forwarding (No Answer/Busy Transfer): In this scenario, calls are only forwarded under specific conditions:
No Answer: Calls are forwarded if you don't answer your phone after a certain number of rings.
Busy: Calls are forwarded if your line is busy (e.g., you're already on another call).
Selective Call Forwarding: This allows you to forward calls from specific numbers only.
Once you have a general idea of which type might be active, you can proceed to the deactivation steps.
Step 2: Deactivate Call Forwarding Using Star Codes (The Easiest Method)
The quickest and most common way to stop call forwarding on Verizon is by using a simple star code directly from your phone.
Sub-heading: The Universal Deactivation Code: *73
For most types of Verizon call forwarding, especially immediate and conditional call forwarding (no answer/busy), the code to dial is *73.
Pick up your Verizon phone: Ensure you are using the phone line that has call forwarding enabled.
Open the dialer: Go to your phone's dial pad.
Dial *73: Carefully enter the star code *73.
Press the "Call" or "Send" button: Initiate the call.
Listen for confirmation: You should hear a series of beeps, a confirmation tone, or a message indicating that call forwarding has been turned off. This might sound like a quick busy signal.
Hang up the phone: Once you receive confirmation, call forwarding should be deactivated.
Sub-heading: Specific Codes for Conditional Forwarding Deactivation
While 73 often deactivates all forms of call forwarding, if you specifically set up conditional forwarding and find *73 isn't working, here are some other codes you might encounter (though *73 is generally the go-to):
For Busy Call Forwarding: *91 or ##67# (some sources indicate *91 for deactivation, while others suggest ##67# to turn off "Busy" forwarding. *73 is more universally cited for Verizon.)
For No Answer Call Forwarding: *93 or ##61# (similar to busy forwarding, *93 is sometimes listed, but ##61# is also a potential code. Again, *73 is the primary method.)
Important Note: If you are outside of the Verizon wireless coverage area, using star codes may not be available. In such cases, you'll need to rely on other methods like the My Verizon app or contacting customer service.
Step 3: Deactivate Call Forwarding Through My Verizon (Online or App)
If you prefer a digital approach or don't have immediate access to your phone, My Verizon is a convenient alternative.
Sub-heading: Using the My Verizon App
Download and open the My Verizon App: If you don't have it already, download the My Verizon app from your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS).
Sign in to your account: Use your Verizon User ID or mobile number and password to log in.
Navigate to "Account" or "Manage Devices": The exact path may vary slightly depending on the app version, but you'll typically find call forwarding settings under a section related to your account or device management. Look for options like "Manage Devices," "Account," or "Calling Features."
Select your phone line: If you have multiple lines, choose the one for which you want to disable call forwarding.
Locate "Call Forwarding": Scroll through the available options until you find "Call Forwarding" or a similar setting.
Turn off the feature: You should see a toggle switch or an option to "Turn Off" or "Disable" call forwarding. Tap or select this option.
Confirm changes: The app may ask you to confirm your action. Once confirmed, call forwarding should be deactivated.
Sub-heading: Using the My Verizon Website
Go to the Verizon Wireless website: Open your web browser and navigate to Verizon's official website (verizon.com).
Sign in to My Verizon: Click on "My Verizon" and enter your User ID or mobile number and password to sign in.
Find "Call Forwarding" settings: Once logged in, use the search bar on the website and type "Call Forwarding" or navigate through the menu options. You'll typically find it under "Account," "Services," or "Features."
Access the Call Forwarding page: Click on the relevant link to access your call forwarding settings.
Disable the feature: On this page, you should see options to manage your call forwarding. Look for a button or link to "Turn Off" or "Deactivate" call forwarding.
Save your changes: Ensure you save any changes you make to apply the deactivation.
Step 4: Contact Verizon Customer Service
If you've tried the above methods and are still having trouble, or if you don't have access to your phone or the My Verizon app, contacting Verizon Customer Service is your next best bet.
Dial 611 from your Verizon phone: This is the direct customer service number for Verizon wireless.
Dial 1-800-922-0204 from any phone: This is Verizon's general customer service number.
Explain your issue: Clearly state that you want to stop call forwarding on your line. Be prepared to verify your account information for security purposes.
Follow their instructions: The representative will be able to deactivate call forwarding for you remotely.
Pro Tip: Be patient, as wait times for customer service can vary. Having your account details ready will help expedite the process.
Step 5: Verify Call Forwarding is Off
After attempting any of the above methods, it's crucial to verify that call forwarding has indeed been deactivated.
Call your Verizon number from a different phone: Use a landline, a friend's phone, or another mobile phone to call your Verizon number.
Observe the behavior:
If your phone rings directly: Congratulations! Call forwarding has been successfully disabled.
If the call still goes to the forwarded number or voicemail: Call forwarding is still active. Re-attempt the deactivation steps or contact Verizon Customer Service again.
Remember: Sometimes, it might take a few moments for the changes to take effect. If it doesn't work immediately, wait a minute or two and try again.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you should be able to effectively stop call forwarding on your Verizon line and regain control of your incoming calls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you further:
How to check if call forwarding is active on Verizon?
You can check by dialing your own Verizon number from a different phone. If it rings your current phone, call forwarding is off. If it redirects to another number or voicemail without your phone ringing, it's active. You can also check in the My Verizon app or website under your call settings.
How to stop all types of call forwarding on Verizon at once?
Dialing *73 from your Verizon phone is the most common and effective way to disable all active immediate and conditional call forwarding.
How to deactivate call forwarding if I don't have my Verizon phone with me?
If you don't have your phone, you can deactivate call forwarding through the My Verizon app or by logging into your account on the Verizon website. Alternatively, you can call Verizon Customer Service at 1-800-922-0204 and ask them to disable it.
How to turn off Verizon call forwarding on an iPhone?
On an iPhone, you can use the *73 dial code. You can also typically find call forwarding settings in the "Phone" section of your iPhone's "Settings" app, though using the star code is often more reliable for Verizon.
How to disable Verizon call forwarding on an Android phone?
For Android, dial *73. You can also generally find call forwarding settings within your phone's "Phone" app by tapping the three-dot menu (or settings icon) and navigating to "Settings" > "Call settings" > "Call forwarding."
How to stop conditional call forwarding (busy/no answer) specifically on Verizon?
While *73 usually covers these, if you need to be specific, some sources suggest using *91 for busy or *93 for no answer, or the more universal codes like ##67# for busy and ##61# for no answer, though *73 is widely recommended for overall deactivation.
How to ensure call forwarding is permanently off and doesn't reactivate?
Once you've used the deactivation code or turned it off via My Verizon, it should remain off unless you or someone with access to your account/phone reactivates it. Always verify with a test call if you're concerned.
How to get help from Verizon if I'm having trouble disabling call forwarding?
If you encounter any issues, the best course of action is to contact Verizon Customer Service by dialing 611 from your Verizon phone or 1-800-922-0204 from any phone. They can directly assist you.
How to know the specific deactivation code for my Verizon plan or device?
For most Verizon plans and devices, *73 is the standard deactivation code for call forwarding. If this doesn't work, consulting the Verizon support website or contacting customer service directly will provide the most accurate information for your specific situation.
How to avoid accidental call forwarding in the future on Verizon?
Be mindful of any apps or settings you enable that might automatically activate call forwarding. If you lend your phone, ensure others are aware of your call forwarding preferences. Regularly checking your call forwarding status (via a quick test call or the My Verizon app) can help you catch any accidental activations.
