Tired of your Verizon calls being redirected to another number? Whether you've set it up for convenience, a temporary solution, or even by accident, knowing how to shut off call forwarding is a valuable skill. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you regain control of your incoming calls.
Ready to take back your phone? Let's dive in!
Understanding Call Forwarding on Verizon
Before we get into the "how-to," it's helpful to understand what call forwarding is and how it typically works on Verizon. Call forwarding allows you to redirect incoming calls from your mobile phone to another phone number. This can be useful if you're going to be away from your primary device, or if you want calls to go directly to a colleague or a landline.
Verizon offers a few types of call forwarding:
Immediate Call Forwarding (often activated with *72): All incoming calls are immediately sent to the forwarded number, and your phone won't ring.
Conditional Call Forwarding (often activated with *71): Calls are forwarded only when your phone is busy or if you don't answer after a certain number of rings. Your phone will still ring, giving you a chance to answer.
Now, let's get down to the business of turning it off!
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| How To Shut Off Call Forwarding Verizon |
Step 1: Identify Your Device and Method Preference
The first crucial step is to decide how you want to turn off call forwarding. Verizon offers a couple of primary methods, and the best one for you might depend on your device type and whether you have access to your phone or the My Verizon portal.
Sub-heading: On-Device Dialing Codes (Most Common & Easiest)
This is often the quickest and most straightforward way to disable call forwarding. It involves dialing a specific code directly from your Verizon phone.
Sub-heading: Through My Verizon (Online Portal)
If you don't have your phone with you, or prefer managing your account online, the My Verizon website or app provides a way to adjust your call forwarding settings.
Sub-heading: Contacting Verizon Customer Service
QuickTip: Read actively, not passively.
If all else fails, or you encounter issues, reaching out to Verizon customer service is always an option.
Once you've decided on your preferred method, proceed to the relevant step below.
Step 2: Disabling Call Forwarding Using Dialing Codes
This is the most common and often the easiest way to stop call forwarding on your Verizon mobile phone.
Sub-heading: For All Types of Call Forwarding
The universal code for disabling call forwarding on Verizon is simple and effective.
Pick up your Verizon phone. Make sure you have a signal.
Open your phone's dialer application. This is where you would normally dial a phone number.
*Dial 73.
That's right, just asterisk, seven, three. This code is specifically designed to deactivate any active call forwarding on your Verizon line.
Press the "Call" or "Send" button.
Your phone will attempt to make a "call" to this service code.
Listen for a confirmation tone or message.
You should hear a series of quick beeps or a voice message confirming that call forwarding has been successfully turned off. This might sound like a busy signal initially.
Hang up the phone.
Once you receive confirmation, call forwarding should be disabled.
Sub-heading: What if 73 doesn't work?
While *73 is the standard, sometimes issues can arise.
Double-check the code: Ensure you've dialed it correctly.
Restart your device: A simple reboot can often resolve minor network glitches.
Verify signal strength: If you're in an area with poor signal, the code might not register properly.
Consider Conditional vs. Immediate: Although *73 usually deactivates both, some older systems might behave differently. If you specifically set up conditional forwarding with *71, and *73 isn't working, try calling *73 again.
Step 3: Disabling Call Forwarding Through My Verizon (Online)
If you don't have access to your phone or prefer managing settings online, the My Verizon portal is your next best bet.
Sub-heading: Accessing My Verizon
Open a web browser on your computer or mobile device.
Go to the Verizon Wireless website. The main URL is usually
www.verizon.com.Log in to your My Verizon account.
You'll need your User ID (which can be your mobile number) and password. If you've forgotten them, use the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password" links to recover your credentials.
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
Sub-heading: Navigating to Call Forwarding Settings
The exact navigation might vary slightly based on updates to the My Verizon portal, but generally, follow these steps:
Once logged in, look for a section related to "My Plan," "Services & Perks," or "Calling Features."
You might need to click on your specific line if you have multiple lines on your account.
Look for an option like "Call Forwarding," "Manage Call Settings," or "Features."
Click on the "Call Forwarding" or "Forward Calls" option.
Sub-heading: Turning Off Call Forwarding
On the Call Forwarding page, you should see options related to your current call forwarding status.
If call forwarding is active, there will likely be a button, toggle, or link to "Turn Off," "Disable," or "Cancel Call Forwarding."
Click on this option.
Confirm the change if prompted.
You should receive an on-screen confirmation message indicating that call forwarding has been successfully disabled.
Step 4: Verifying That Call Forwarding is Off
After attempting to disable call forwarding, it's always a good idea to verify that it has indeed been turned off.
From a different phone, dial your Verizon mobile number.
Observe where the call goes.
If your Verizon phone rings, then call forwarding has been successfully deactivated.
If the call still goes to the previously forwarded number, or you hear a busy signal, then call forwarding is likely still active. In this case, re-attempt the steps from Step 2 or Step 3.
Step 5: Troubleshooting and Advanced Tips
Sometimes, things don't go as smoothly as planned. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Sub-heading: Persistent Issues with Dial Codes
*Try dialing 73 multiple times: Occasionally, a single attempt might not register.
Check for conflicting features: Ensure you don't have other features active that might interfere, such as "Do Not Disturb" or "Block Unknown Callers" (though these usually don't affect call forwarding deactivation directly).
Device-specific settings: While *73 is a network code, some smartphones (especially older Android models or unlocked phones) might have their own call forwarding settings within the phone's "Call Settings" menu. Check your phone's native settings (usually found under Phone app > Settings > Call Settings > Call Forwarding) to ensure all forwarding options are disabled there as well. For iPhones: Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding.
Sub-heading: My Verizon Portal Problems
Clear browser cache and cookies: Sometimes old data can interfere with website functionality.
Try a different browser or device: Rule out issues with your specific browser or computer.
Wait a few minutes: Sometimes, changes on online portals can take a moment to propagate.
Sub-heading: Contacting Verizon Customer Support
If you've exhausted all other options, or if you're simply uncomfortable performing these steps yourself, don't hesitate to reach out to Verizon Customer Service.
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
Dial 611 from your Verizon mobile phone (free call).
Dial 1-800-922-0204 from any phone.
Explain your situation clearly and state that you wish to disable call forwarding on your line. They can remotely adjust these settings for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you further:
How to check if call forwarding is active on my Verizon phone?
You can check by dialing your own number from a different phone. If it rings your current phone, it's off. If it diverts to another number, it's still on. You can also check via the My Verizon app or website, or by navigating to your phone's call settings (Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding on iPhone; Phone app > Settings/Call Settings > Call Forwarding on Android).
How to turn off call forwarding if I don't have my Verizon phone with me?
You can turn off call forwarding through the My Verizon website or app by logging into your account and navigating to the call forwarding settings for your line. Alternatively, you can call Verizon Customer Service at 1-800-922-0204.
How to disable conditional call forwarding specifically on Verizon?
The *73 code generally disables both immediate and conditional call forwarding. If you specifically activated conditional forwarding with *71, dialing *73 should still turn it off.
How to stop all calls from forwarding to another number on Verizon?
To stop all calls from forwarding, dial *73 from your Verizon phone and press the call button. This will deactivate any immediate call forwarding.
How to tell the difference between immediate and conditional call forwarding on Verizon?
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Immediate call forwarding (*72) means your phone will never ring; all calls go straight to the forwarded number. Conditional call forwarding (*71) means your phone will ring first, and calls are only forwarded if you don't answer or if your line is busy.
How to reactivate call forwarding on Verizon if I accidentally turned it off?
To reactivate immediate call forwarding, dial *72 followed by the 10-digit number you want to forward calls to, then press call. For conditional call forwarding, dial *71 followed by the 10-digit number and press call.
How to find my Verizon call forwarding settings in the My Verizon app?
Open the My Verizon app, log in, then look for sections like "Account," "Devices," or "Services." Navigate to "Call Settings" or "Features" where you should find the "Call Forwarding" option.
How to troubleshoot if *73 gives me an error message?
Ensure you have a good network signal. Try restarting your phone and redialing *73. If the error persists, there might be an account-specific issue, and contacting Verizon Customer Service would be the next step.
How to know if call forwarding costs money on Verizon?
Generally, Verizon's standard call forwarding service does not incur an additional monthly fee. However, any calls forwarded will use minutes from your plan (if you're on a minute-based plan) or be considered regular calls on an unlimited plan. Long-distance or international forwarding charges may apply depending on your plan and the forwarded number.
How to prevent future accidental call forwarding activation on Verizon?
Be mindful of the star codes you dial. *72 is for activation, *73 is for deactivation. If you share your phone, ensure others are aware of these codes. If you use third-party apps for call management, verify their settings.
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