Call forwarding is a useful feature on Samsung Galaxy phones that allows you to redirect incoming calls to another number. This can be handy in various situations, such as when you’re traveling, unavailable, or simply want someone else to answer your calls. However, there might come a time when you want to disable call forwarding and receive calls directly on your device. This comprehensive guide will provide you with detailed steps and instructions on how to stop call forwarding on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
Understanding Call Forwarding on Samsung Galaxy
Before diving into the steps, let’s briefly understand the different types of call forwarding available on Samsung Galaxy devices:
- Call Forwarding Unconditional: Forwards all incoming calls to another number, regardless of whether your phone is busy, unanswered, or unreachable.
- Call Forwarding Busy: Forwards calls only when you’re already on another call.
- Call Forwarding No Answer: Forwards calls if you don’t answer within a specified number of rings.
- Call Forwarding Unreachable: Forwards calls when your phone is turned off, out of network coverage, or unable to connect to the mobile network.
Each type of call forwarding can be enabled or disabled independently. The methods described below will generally disable all types of call forwarding, but we’ll also cover how to disable them individually.
Method 1: Using the Phone App (Recommended)
The easiest and most common way to disable call forwarding on your Samsung Galaxy is through the Phone app. This method works on most Samsung Galaxy devices, regardless of the Android version.
- Open the Phone App: Locate the Phone app icon on your home screen or app drawer and tap on it.
- Access the Settings Menu: Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon) located in the top-right corner of the Phone app. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Select “Settings”: From the drop-down menu, choose “Settings”. This will open the Phone app’s settings menu.
- Navigate to “Supplementary Services” or “Call Settings”: The exact wording may vary depending on your Samsung Galaxy model and Android version. Look for an option that includes “Supplementary Services”, “Call Settings”, or something similar. You might need to scroll down to find it.
- Select “Call Forwarding”: In the “Supplementary Services” or “Call Settings” menu, you should find an option labeled “Call Forwarding”. Tap on it. This will take you to the call forwarding settings screen.
- Choose the Call Forwarding Type: You’ll see a list of call forwarding types, such as “Always Forward,” “Forward when Busy,” “Forward when Unanswered,” and “Forward when Unreachable.”
- Disable Call Forwarding: Tap on each call forwarding type individually. If a particular type of call forwarding is enabled, you’ll see the number to which calls are being forwarded. Tap on the toggle switch next to the number to disable it. The toggle should turn gray or off, indicating that call forwarding is now disabled for that type.
- Confirm Disabling: After disabling each type of call forwarding, the phone will briefly display a message like “Deactivating…” or “Updating settings…” while it applies the changes. Make sure that all the call forwarding types are disabled before exiting the settings.
- Exit the Settings Menu: Once you’ve disabled all the call forwarding options, you can exit the Phone app settings menu.
Method 2: Using USSD Codes (Universal Method)
USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) codes are special codes that you can dial on your phone to access certain network services. These codes are generally universal and work across different phone models and carriers. This method can be particularly useful if you’re having trouble accessing the call forwarding settings through the Phone app.
- Open the Phone App: Open the Phone app on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Dial the Deactivation Code: Dial the following USSD code to disable all call forwarding:
##002# - Initiate the Code: Press the call button (the green phone icon).
- Wait for Confirmation: Your phone will display a message indicating that the call forwarding service has been successfully disabled. This message may vary depending on your carrier. It might say something like “Call forwarding erasure successful”.
- Verify Deactivation (Optional): To verify that call forwarding has been completely disabled, you can dial the following USSD code:
*#002#and press the call button. This will check the status of all call forwarding services. If call forwarding is disabled, you should see a message indicating that it’s not active.
Specific USSD Codes for Different Call Forwarding Types:
If you only want to disable a specific type of call forwarding, you can use the following USSD codes:
- Disable Call Forwarding Unconditional:
##21# - Disable Call Forwarding Busy:
##67# - Disable Call Forwarding No Answer:
##61# - Disable Call Forwarding Unreachable:
##62#
After dialing each code, press the call button and wait for confirmation that the corresponding call forwarding service has been disabled.
Method 3: Contacting Your Mobile Carrier
If you’re still unable to disable call forwarding using the methods above, you can contact your mobile carrier’s customer support. They can remotely disable call forwarding on your line. This might be necessary if you suspect that call forwarding was enabled directly by your carrier, or if you’re experiencing technical issues with your phone or account.
- Find Your Carrier’s Contact Information: Look for your carrier’s customer support number on their website, on your bill, or in your phone’s settings (usually under “About Phone” or “SIM Card Status”).
- Call Customer Support: Call your carrier’s customer support number.
- Verify Your Identity: Be prepared to verify your identity by providing your account information, such as your phone number, account password, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Request to Disable Call Forwarding: Explain to the customer support representative that you want to disable call forwarding on your line. Specify that you want to disable all types of call forwarding (unconditional, busy, no answer, and unreachable).
- Confirmation: The customer support representative will disable call forwarding on their end. They may ask you to restart your phone or perform a test call to confirm that call forwarding is no longer active.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter issues while trying to disable call forwarding. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- “Connection Problem or Invalid MMI Code”: This error message usually indicates a problem with your network connection or a temporary issue with your carrier’s system. Try the following:
- Restart Your Phone: A simple restart can often resolve temporary network issues.
- Check Your Network Connection: Make sure you have a strong and stable mobile network connection. Try switching to a different network (e.g., from 4G to 3G) or connecting to Wi-Fi.
- Try Again Later: The issue might be temporary. Wait a few minutes or hours and try disabling call forwarding again.
- Contact Your Carrier: If the problem persists, contact your mobile carrier’s customer support for assistance.
- Call Forwarding Re-enables Automatically: This can happen if you have a call forwarding app installed or if your carrier has a default call forwarding setting. Try the following:
- Check for Call Forwarding Apps: Review the apps installed on your phone and uninstall any call forwarding apps that you don’t need.
- Contact Your Carrier: Contact your mobile carrier to inquire about any default call forwarding settings on your account. They might be able to disable it permanently.
- Unable to Access Call Forwarding Settings: If you can’t find the call forwarding settings in the Phone app, try the following:
- Update Your Phone’s Software: Make sure your Samsung Galaxy phone is running the latest version of Android. Software updates often include bug fixes and improvements to the phone’s settings menu.
- Reset App Preferences: Go to Settings > Apps > (Three dots menu) > Reset app preferences. This will reset the settings for all your apps, including the Phone app.
- Factory Reset (Last Resort): As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset on your phone. This will erase all data on your device, so be sure to back up your important information before proceeding.
Preventing Unwanted Call Forwarding
To prevent call forwarding from being enabled without your knowledge, consider the following:
- Secure Your Phone: Use a strong password, PIN, or biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition) to protect your phone from unauthorized access.
- Be Careful with Apps: Only install apps from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store. Read app permissions carefully before installing them to ensure they don’t have access to your phone’s call settings.
- Monitor Your Account: Regularly check your mobile carrier account for any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized call forwarding charges.
- Be Aware of Phishing Scams: Be wary of phishing emails or text messages that try to trick you into revealing your phone number or other personal information. These scams can be used to enable call forwarding on your line without your consent.
Conclusion
Disabling call forwarding on your Samsung Galaxy phone is a straightforward process. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily stop call forwarding and ensure that you receive calls directly on your device. Whether you prefer using the Phone app, USSD codes, or contacting your mobile carrier, there’s a solution that will work for you. Remember to troubleshoot any common issues that you might encounter and take steps to prevent unwanted call forwarding in the future.
By taking control of your call forwarding settings, you can ensure that you never miss important calls and that your phone is always configured to your preferences.
This comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and tools you need to manage call forwarding effectively on your Samsung Galaxy phone. If you have any further questions or encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to consult your phone’s user manual or contact your mobile carrier’s customer support for assistance. Good luck!
FAQ
Q: How do I know if call forwarding is enabled on my Samsung Galaxy phone?
A: There are several ways to check if call forwarding is enabled:
- Check the Phone App Settings: Go to Phone app > Settings > Supplementary Services > Call Forwarding. If any of the call forwarding options (Always Forward, Forward when Busy, Forward when Unanswered, Forward when Unreachable) are enabled, you’ll see the number to which calls are being forwarded.
- Use USSD Codes: Dial *#21# (for unconditional call forwarding), *#67# (for call forwarding when busy), *#61# (for call forwarding when unanswered), or *#62# (for call forwarding when unreachable) and press the call button. Your phone will display the status of the corresponding call forwarding service.
- Look for an Icon: Some Samsung Galaxy phones may display a call forwarding icon in the status bar when call forwarding is enabled. The icon usually looks like a phone with an arrow pointing away from it.
Q: Can I disable call forwarding temporarily?
A: Yes, you can disable call forwarding temporarily using any of the methods described in this guide. Once you disable call forwarding, it will remain disabled until you re-enable it.
Q: Will disabling call forwarding affect my voicemail?
A: Disabling call forwarding generally does not affect your voicemail. Voicemail is a separate service that is managed by your mobile carrier. However, if you have set up call forwarding to your voicemail number, disabling call forwarding will prevent calls from being forwarded to your voicemail. In this case, you will need to ensure that your voicemail is properly configured to answer calls when you are unavailable.
Q: I disabled call forwarding, but I’m still not receiving calls. What could be the problem?
A: If you’ve disabled call forwarding but are still not receiving calls, there could be several reasons:
- Network Issues: There might be temporary network issues affecting your phone’s ability to receive calls. Try restarting your phone or moving to an area with better network coverage.
- Do Not Disturb Mode: Make sure that Do Not Disturb mode is not enabled on your phone. This mode silences all incoming calls and notifications.
- Blocked Numbers: Check if the caller’s number is blocked on your phone. Blocked numbers are automatically rejected.
- Call Screening: Some phones have a call screening feature that filters out unwanted calls. Make sure that this feature is not enabled or configured too aggressively.
- Voicemail Settings: Ensure that your voicemail is properly configured to answer calls when you are unavailable. If your voicemail is not set up correctly, callers may not be able to leave a message.
- Contact Your Carrier: If you’ve tried all of the above and are still not receiving calls, contact your mobile carrier’s customer support for assistance. There might be an issue with your account or network settings.
Q: Can I enable call forwarding only for specific contacts?
A: No, Samsung Galaxy phones do not have a built-in feature to enable call forwarding only for specific contacts. Call forwarding is applied to all incoming calls or to specific conditions (e.g., when busy, unanswered, or unreachable). However, you might be able to achieve similar functionality using third-party apps. These apps can allow you to create custom call forwarding rules based on the caller’s ID.
Q: Is there a cost associated with using call forwarding?
A: The cost of using call forwarding depends on your mobile carrier’s plan. Some carriers offer unlimited call forwarding as part of their plans, while others charge per minute or per call. Contact your mobile carrier to inquire about their call forwarding rates.
Q: Can I use call forwarding to forward calls to an international number?
A: Yes, you can usually forward calls to an international number, but additional charges may apply. Contact your mobile carrier to inquire about their international call forwarding rates and any restrictions that may apply.
Q: What is the difference between conditional and unconditional call forwarding?
A: The main difference is when the call forwarding is activated:
- Unconditional Call Forwarding (Always Forward): All incoming calls are immediately forwarded to the specified number, regardless of whether your phone is available or not.
- Conditional Call Forwarding: Calls are forwarded only when certain conditions are met, such as when your phone is busy (Forward when Busy), when you don’t answer the call (Forward when Unanswered), or when your phone is unreachable (Forward when Unreachable).
Q: How do I set up call forwarding if I want to use it again in the future?
A: You can set up call forwarding using the same methods described in this guide. Simply go to the call forwarding settings in the Phone app or use the appropriate USSD codes to enable call forwarding and enter the number to which you want to forward calls.