Tired of missing important calls on your iPhone XR with Verizon? Whether you're in a meeting, on vacation, or simply prefer calls to go to another device, call forwarding is your secret weapon! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about setting up and managing call forwarding on your iPhone XR with Verizon, step by step.
Mastering Call Forwarding on Your iPhone XR (Verizon)
Let's dive right in and get those calls flowing exactly where you want them!
Step 1: Decide Your Call Forwarding Strategy
Before we start tinkering with settings, let's think about why you want to forward calls. Do you want all calls forwarded, or just some? Verizon, like most carriers, offers different types of call forwarding:
Unconditional Call Forwarding (All Calls): This is when every single incoming call to your iPhone XR is immediately redirected to another number, without your iPhone even ringing. This is great if you're using a temporary phone or want all calls to go to a landline while you're away.
Conditional Call Forwarding: This is more nuanced and forwards calls only under specific conditions:
Forward When Busy: Calls are forwarded if your line is already in use.
Forward When Unanswered: Calls are forwarded if you don't answer after a certain number of rings.
Forward When Unreachable: Calls are forwarded if your phone is off, out of service, or in airplane mode.
Understanding these options will help you choose the right method for your needs.
Step 2: Accessing Call Forwarding Settings on Your iPhone XR
There are generally two primary ways to set up call forwarding with Verizon on your iPhone XR: through your iPhone's settings or using Verizon's specific dialer codes. We'll cover both!
Sub-heading 2.1: The Native iPhone Settings Route (Recommended for Unconditional Forwarding)
This is often the most straightforward method for setting up unconditional call forwarding.
Open the Settings App: Find the gray gear icon on your iPhone's home screen and tap it.
Scroll Down and Tap "Phone": You'll find this option usually between "Messages" and "Safari."
Select "Call Forwarding": Tap on this option. Note: It might take a few seconds for this menu to load as your iPhone communicates with the Verizon network.
Toggle the "Call Forwarding" Switch ON: You'll see a toggle switch. Flip it to the green "on" position.
Enter the Desired Forwarding Number: Once enabled, a "Forward To" field will appear. Carefully enter the 10-digit phone number (including the area code) to which you want your calls forwarded. Double-check for typos! A single incorrect digit can send your calls into the void.
Go Back: There's no "Save" button. Simply tap "Back" in the top-left corner. Your iPhone will automatically save the setting.
You'll notice a small call forwarding icon (a phone with an arrow) appearing in your iPhone's status bar when call forwarding is active.
Sub-heading 2.2: Using Verizon's Dialer Code Shortcut (For All Types of Forwarding)
Verizon also provides specific dialer codes (often called "star codes" or "short codes") that allow you to activate and deactivate call forwarding directly from your phone's dial pad. This method is particularly useful for setting up conditional call forwarding or if the "Call Forwarding" option is missing from your iPhone settings (which can sometimes happen with carrier-specific configurations).
Open the Phone App: Tap the green phone icon on your home screen.
Go to the Keypad: Ensure you're on the "Keypad" tab.
To Activate Unconditional Call Forwarding (All Calls):
Dial
*72followed immediately by the 10-digit number you want to forward calls to (e.g.,*725551234567).Press the Call button.
You should hear a confirmation tone or a voice message confirming that call forwarding has been activated.
To Activate Conditional Call Forwarding (Specific Scenarios):
Forward When Busy: Dial
*90followed by the 10-digit number. Press Call.Forward When Unanswered: Dial
*92followed by the 10-digit number. Press Call.Forward When Unreachable: Dial
*71followed by the 10-digit number. Press Call.Listen for a confirmation tone or message for each of these.
Step 3: Verifying Your Call Forwarding Setup
It's always a good idea to confirm that your call forwarding is working as expected.
Make a Test Call: Use a different phone (not your iPhone XR) to call your iPhone XR's number.
Observe the Call:
If you set up unconditional forwarding, the test call should immediately ring the number you forwarded to, without your iPhone XR ringing at all.
If you set up conditional forwarding, test the specific condition (e.g., let it ring multiple times for "unanswered," or call while your phone is off for "unreachable").
Step 4: Disabling Call Forwarding
When you no longer need calls forwarded, turning it off is just as important.
Sub-heading 4.1: Through iPhone Settings (For Unconditional Forwarding Set Up Here)
Open the Settings App.
Scroll to and Tap "Phone."
Select "Call Forwarding."
Toggle the "Call Forwarding" Switch OFF: Flip it to the gray "off" position.
Go Back: The setting will be saved automatically.
Sub-heading 4.2: Using Verizon's Dialer Codes (For All Types of Forwarding)
This is the most reliable way to disable call forwarding, especially if you used the star codes to activate it.
Open the Phone App.
Go to the Keypad.
To Deactivate Unconditional Call Forwarding:
Dial
*73.Press the Call button.
You should hear a confirmation tone or message that call forwarding has been deactivated.
To Deactivate Conditional Call Forwarding:
Forward When Busy: Dial
*91. Press Call.Forward When Unanswered: Dial
*93. Press Call.Forward When Unreachable: Dial
*73(this often deactivates all conditional forwarding as well, or at least the unconditional one). Some sources suggest##004#as a universal deactivation code for all conditional forwarding, but confirm with Verizon if you face issues.Listen for a confirmation tone or message for each of these.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Call Forwarding Issues
Sometimes, technology can be a bit stubborn. If your call forwarding isn't working as expected, consider these points:
Carrier Support: Ensure Verizon actually supports the type of call forwarding you're trying to set up for your specific plan. Most consumer plans do, but business or older plans might have variations.
Network Connectivity: Your iPhone XR needs to be within Verizon's cellular network range when you set up call forwarding via the iPhone settings. If you're out of range, it won't be able to communicate the setting to the network.
Correct Number Format: Always use the full 10-digit number for forwarding, including the area code, even for local numbers.
Restart Your iPhone: A classic but often effective solution. A quick restart can resolve minor software glitches.
Software Update: Ensure your iPhone XR is running the latest iOS version. Bugs in older software can sometimes affect features like call forwarding. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Reset Network Settings: This can sometimes clear up connectivity issues. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset Wi-Fi passwords and cellular settings, so be prepared to re-enter them.
Verizon Specifics: If you've previously used another carrier, or if your phone was previously managed by a company (MDM), there might be lingering settings. Verizon's system might prioritize its own network-level settings over your device settings.
Contact Verizon Support: If all else fails, don't hesitate to reach out to Verizon customer service. They can check your account settings and troubleshoot any network-side issues.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about call forwarding on iPhone XR with Verizon:
How to check if call forwarding is active on my iPhone XR?
Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. If the switch is green and a number is listed, it's active. You'll also see a small phone icon with an arrow in your status bar.
How to forward calls to an international number on Verizon iPhone XR?
Verizon generally does not support forwarding calls directly to international numbers. Call forwarding usually only works for U.S.-based 10-digit numbers. If you need to redirect international calls, you might need to explore third-party VoIP services or international roaming options with Verizon.
How to forward calls when my iPhone XR is busy on Verizon?
Dial *90 followed by the 10-digit number you want to forward calls to, then press Call.
How to forward calls when I don't answer on my iPhone XR (Verizon)?
Dial *92 followed by the 10-digit number you want to forward calls to, then press Call.
How to forward calls when my iPhone XR is off or out of service on Verizon?
Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit number you want to forward calls to, then press Call.
How to turn off all call forwarding types at once on Verizon?
The most common code to disable all call forwarding on Verizon is *73. For conditional forwarding, *91 (busy) and *93 (no answer) are also used.
How to know if my Verizon plan supports call forwarding?
Most standard Verizon consumer plans include call forwarding. If you're unsure or experiencing issues, it's best to confirm directly with Verizon customer support or check your plan details in the My Verizon app or website.
How to forward text messages on iPhone XR (Verizon)?
Call forwarding only applies to voice calls, not text messages. To forward text messages, you would typically need to use a third-party app or a feature like iMessage forwarding (for other Apple devices) or specific carrier-supported text forwarding services if available (less common for standard numbers).
How to forward calls to voicemail on my iPhone XR (Verizon)?
If you want calls to go directly to voicemail, you generally don't need to set up call forwarding. Calls will automatically go to voicemail if you don't answer or if your phone is off/unreachable (unless you have conditional forwarding set up to another number).
How to temporarily suspend call forwarding without deactivating it?
For direct "suspension" without full deactivation, you'd typically need to turn off the feature. Some advanced business phone systems or specific VoIP services might offer temporary pauses, but for standard Verizon iPhone XR call forwarding, it's either on or off.
