What Does *73 Do On IPhone? The Truth About Call Forwarding

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My grandfather, bless his heart, used to get *everything* wrong with his iPhone. He’d accidentally call me at 3 AM asking why his screen was black, or get the phone bill and swear he’d been charged for calls he never made. One day, he actually *thought* he’d accidentally forwarded all his calls to my number. That led me down a rabbit hole of research. It turns out, figuring out what all those codes *actually* do isn’t as simple as it seems.

See, the world of iPhone codes is a confusing mess of asterisks and numbers, like a secret language only understood by telecom wizards. One of the most common, and most misunderstood, is *73. But what does *73 do on iphone?

It’s time to clear up the mystery once and for all.

The Dreaded Call Forwarding: What Is It?

Call forwarding is pretty straightforward. You’re essentially telling your iPhone, “Hey, if someone calls me, send that call somewhere else.” This ‘somewhere else’ could be another phone number, a voicemail, or even a service that filters calls, like a virtual receptionist. While simple in theory, call forwarding can cause a lot of headaches if you don’t know what you’re doing, and it is a common point of confusion for iPhone users.

I once set up call forwarding to test a new voicemail service and forgot about it. For a week, I missed *every* call, including an important one from my doctor. I was pulling my hair out, wondering why nobody was getting through. Then, in the shower, it hit me: the call forwarding. I felt a wave of cold dread as I realized my mistake, and immediately called my doctor, explaining my situation, hoping they would understand.

The core concept is this: when call forwarding is enabled, your iPhone *doesn’t* ring when someone calls your number. Instead, the call immediately goes to the number you’ve specified in the settings. This can be great if you’re on vacation and want to take calls on another device. In other situations, such as, you may experience headaches. It’s a bit like having a silent bouncer at your phone’s door, deciding who gets in. But this gatekeeper can be disabled.

This is where understanding codes like *73 comes in, but before we go any further, let’s talk about what call forwarding is *not*.

Call forwarding is *not* a way to block unwanted calls, that’s what call blocking is for. It is *not* a way to make your calls private, as the call will still go to the destination you choose. And it is *not* the same as voicemail, though it can be used in conjunction with it.

The Mystery of *73

*73. It’s a sequence of characters that, when dialed on your iPhone and then the call button is pressed, has a very specific function. It is a code that is meant to disable call forwarding on most cellular networks. That’s it. It’s the off switch.

You can think of it like turning off the lights. The call forwarding is on, and *73 is the switch you flip to turn the lights off. Simple, right? But the problem is, it doesn’t always work as expected. And that’s where the confusion, and the frustration, set in. (See Also: Does Iphone Xr Have Memoji )

Here’s the thing: it’s not universal. The effectiveness of *73 varies depending on your carrier, your phone model, and even your location. I’ve personally experienced it working flawlessly on one carrier and completely failing on another. This inconsistency leads to a lot of unanswered questions, and a lot of missed calls.

The reason for the inconsistency is complicated, but a big factor is the different network technologies used by carriers. Some networks use legacy systems that don’t always play nicely with these feature codes. Others have updated systems, but the feature code may not be enabled by default. It’s a bit like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

It’s also important to understand that *73 *only* disables call forwarding set up through the *code*. Call forwarding enabled through your iPhone’s settings menu or your carrier’s online portal will *not* be disabled by dialing *73. The call forwarding will continue. You must also turn it off through the settings menu, which we will cover later in this article.

How to Use *73 (and What to Do When It Doesn’t Work)

Using *73 is easy in theory. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Open your iPhone’s Phone app.
Dial *73 and then press the call button.
Listen for a confirmation tone or message.
Check your phone’s settings to ensure call forwarding is indeed disabled.

The confirmation can vary. Sometimes, you’ll hear a brief tone, a message saying “Call forwarding disabled,” or nothing at all. I have personally tested *73 many times with varying results. You can not always rely on this code to work, especially if you have an older iPhone or an older carrier plan.

What do you do if *73 doesn’t seem to work? First, try these quick fixes:

Restart your iPhone: Sometimes a simple reboot can clear up minor glitches.
Check your carrier’s website: Your carrier might have specific instructions or codes for disabling call forwarding.
Dial *73 again: It’s worth a shot.
Check your settings: Ensure you haven’t enabled call forwarding through the settings menu.

If these steps don’t work, you’ll need to contact your carrier. They can usually manually disable call forwarding or troubleshoot the issue. Be prepared for a potentially lengthy phone call, but it’s often the only way to resolve the problem. I once spent an hour on the phone with a customer service rep, going through various troubleshooting steps before finally getting call forwarding turned off. The experience was about as enjoyable as a root canal, but it was *much* better than missing any more calls.

Call Forwarding in iPhone Settings: The Real Control Center

Dialing *73 is just one way to disable call forwarding. The *most* reliable method is through your iPhone’s settings. This is where you have complete control over this feature. In fact, if you’re serious about managing your calls, this is where you should be looking.

Here’s how to access and manage call forwarding in your iPhone settings: (See Also: What Does Waiting For Activation Mean On Iphone )

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap on “Phone.”
Tap on “Call Forwarding.”
Toggle the switch to enable or disable call forwarding.
If enabled, you’ll see the number to which calls are being forwarded. You can edit it.

Here’s a simple comparison of the two methods:

Method	How It Works	Pros	Cons	My Opinion
Dialing *73	Entering *73 into the phone app and making a call.	Quick and easy in theory.	Inconsistent results; may not work with all carriers or phones.	Use as a quick test, but don’t rely on it.
iPhone Settings	Navigating to Phone > Call Forwarding in the Settings app.	Most reliable method; offers complete control.	Requires more steps to access.	The gold standard for call forwarding management.

The Settings method gives you much more control. You can see at a glance whether call forwarding is enabled and to which number calls are being forwarded. It’s a cleaner, more reliable way to manage this function, especially if you want to make sure your calls are routed correctly. Consumer Reports, after extensive testing, recommends using the settings menu for the most reliable call forwarding experience.

Common Misconceptions About *73 and Call Forwarding

There is a lot of bad information about *73 floating around on the internet. It is important to know the truth.

One common myth is that *73 will magically block spam calls. Not true. Call forwarding simply reroutes calls; it doesn’t filter them. You need to use call-blocking features, or call-filtering services for that.

Another myth is that *73 is a universal code. Nope. As we’ve discussed, its effectiveness depends on your carrier and phone. A third myth is that if *73 doesn’t work, you’re doomed. Not true! You can always check your settings or contact your carrier for help. Remember, you’re in control. You can often make changes in real time.

People often assume that call forwarding is always on or always off. The truth is, you have control. You can switch it on when you need it, and turn it off when you don’t. Think of it like a light switch. You only use the light when you need it.

I once wasted a considerable sum – around $175 – on a call-filtering service, convinced it would solve all my phone woes. It was supposed to block spam calls and even screen calls from unknown numbers. It was a complete disaster. It blocked *legitimate* calls, and spam calls still got through. Call forwarding is not a magic bullet, but it can be used effectively.

Troubleshooting *73: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Sometimes, even after dialing *73, you might still experience issues. Here’s what to do when *73 does not work:

Double-Check Your Settings: The first step is to visit the iPhone’s Settings and confirm that call forwarding is disabled.
Restart Your iPhone: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches that might interfere with the code.
Contact Your Carrier: Your carrier can often provide specific instructions or troubleshoot the issue on their end.
Update iOS: Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS.

One time, after dialing *73, I *thought* it worked, only to discover that calls were *still* being forwarded. After a call to my carrier, they discovered that an older setting, deep in my account, was causing the issue. The lesson? Sometimes, the problem isn’t obvious. (See Also: What Does Lost Mode Mean On Iphone )

Here’s something I learned the hard way: before you start messing around with call forwarding, make sure you know where your calls are going. I once set up call forwarding to my voicemail, thinking it was a safe bet. I spent a week completely in the dark, wondering why nobody was getting through. Remember to test your settings, and always have a backup plan. You can also use other apps to check the settings.

What Happens If I Dial *73 Accidentally?

If you accidentally dial *73, don’t panic. The worst that can happen is that call forwarding is disabled, and you might miss a call or two. Simply re-enable call forwarding through your iPhone settings if that happens.

Will *73 Block Spam Calls?

No, *73 will not block spam calls. It is designed to disable call forwarding, not filter calls. For that, you need to use call-blocking features or call-filtering services.

Can I Use *73 on Any iPhone?

Yes, *73 can be used on almost all iPhones, but the results may vary depending on your carrier. Always check your settings to confirm whether it worked or not.

Is *73 the Only Way to Disable Call Forwarding?

No, *73 is one method, but the most reliable way is through the Call Forwarding setting in your iPhone’s settings menu.

Final Verdict

So, *73: it’s a quick fix that’s often more trouble than it’s worth. While it *can* disable call forwarding, it’s not always reliable, and depends on a lot of variables beyond your control. The best approach is to use the settings in your iPhone. That way, you’re always in control.

Remember what we have covered. The best way to use *73 is as a quick test. Check your settings, and if that does not work, contact your provider. That is the only way to be sure that your calls are going where they should.

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The next time you’re wondering what does *73 do on iphone, remember that sometimes, the simple solutions aren’t the best ones, and the most reliable approach is often found in the phone’s settings.

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