How to Set Up Call Forwarding on iPhone for iMessage and SMS/MMS
Set up call forwarding on your iPhone and understand how it works with iMessage, SMS, and MMS.
NOTE: Call forwarding only forwards incoming voice calls. It does not forward iMessage, SMS, or MMS messages to another phone number, Twilio number, LeadConnector number, HighLevel, or myCRMSIM.
With Your Carrier
You can normally set up call forwarding through your mobile carrier.
How this is done depends on the carrier you use, and some carriers may charge a fee for forwarded calls.
We recommend contacting your carrier directly to confirm whether call forwarding is available and whether any additional charges apply.
How this is done depends on the carrier you use, and some carriers may charge a fee for forwarded calls.
We recommend contacting your carrier directly to confirm whether call forwarding is available and whether any additional charges apply.
Directly on the iPhone
If your carrier supports call forwarding directly through the iPhone, you can set it up by following these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Phone.
- Tap Call Forwarding.
- Turn on Call Forwarding.
- Tap Forward To.
- Enter the phone number to which you want your calls forwarded.
- Return to the previous screen to save the setting.
Important: The available call-forwarding options may vary depending on your iPhone model, iOS version, and mobile carrier.
How iMessage and SMS/MMS Work
Call forwarding does not forward messages.
If you want to access messages from your iPhone on another supported Apple device, you can use Apple's messaging features instead.
If you want to access messages from your iPhone on another supported Apple device, you can use Apple's messaging features instead.
iMessage
iMessage works through the Messages app and can be synchronized across supported Apple devices using the same Apple Account.
To check your iMessage settings:
To check your iMessage settings:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Messages.
- Make sure iMessage is turned on.
- Tap Send & Receive.
- Confirm that the required phone number and Apple Account are selected.
SMS/MMS
To make SMS and MMS messages available on supported Apple devices:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Messages.
- Tap Text Message Forwarding.
- Turn on the Apple devices that should be able to send and receive messages through your iPhone.
Important: Text Message Forwarding is different from call forwarding. It does not forward SMS or MMS to another phone number. It makes supported messages available on selected Apple devices.
Alternative to Call Forwarding
If call forwarding is not available or you do not want to use it, you can provide callers with an alternative method for contacting your business.
For example:
"Hi, this is Company XYZ. This number is used exclusively for texting. If you would like us to call you back, please send us an SMS or call us directly at our office on XXXXXXXX. Thank you."
Important for myCRMSIM
If your iPhone number is being used with myCRMSIM for iMessage or SMS/MMS, enabling call forwarding will not automatically move your messages to HighLevel or another phone number.
Use the supported myCRMSIM messaging setup to send and receive messages through your CRM.
Use the supported myCRMSIM messaging setup to send and receive messages through your CRM.
Summary
- Call forwarding redirects voice calls only.
- Call forwarding does not forward iMessage, SMS, or MMS.
- iMessage can be synchronized across supported Apple devices using the same Apple Account.
- SMS/MMS can be made available on supported Apple devices using Text Message Forwarding.
- Call forwarding does not automatically send messages to HighLevel, Twilio, LeadConnector, or myCRMSIM.
- Use the appropriate myCRMSIM messaging setup for CRM-based messaging.