Missed calls from loved ones or unexpected debits from your account often indicate that hidden call forwarding to someone else's number is activated on your Android smartphone.
Owners of smartphones based on Android often do not suspect that forwarding can be turned on without them noticing. This happens through malware, phishing links, or even calls from scammers who convince you to enter a certain code. Understanding where these settings are hidden and how to check them is a critical skill for digital hygiene.
In this article, we will look in detail at all the ways to detect redirects: from using universal USSD commands to in-depth analysis of settings in your smartphone menu. You will learn how to distinguish a legitimate setting from a malicious one and how to ensure that you regain control of your phone line.
Checking forwarding via USSD codes
The fastest and most reliable way to find out the status of call forwarding is to use special service codes. These commands work at the level of the cellular operator, so they are relevant for any smartphone Android, regardless of the model or firmware version. You don’t need to go into complex settings menus, just open the “Phone” application.
Enter the code in the dialer ##002# and press the call button. This command is a universal solution: it not only shows the status, but also instantly cancels all types of forwardingthat may have been configured previously. Once completed, you will see a message indicating that the redirect conditions were successfully removed. This is an “emergency button” that should be used at the slightest suspicion of hacking.
If you want to check the status first without disabling anything, use the code *#21#. An information window will appear on the screen indicating whether call forwarding is active for voice, SMS, fax or data calls. Pay attention to the number indicated in the “Forwarding to” field. If there is a number there that you do not recognize or did not set yourself, this is an alarming signal.
⚠️ Attention: Some telecom operators may use their own variations of codes or require confirmation of the action through a return call. If the code does not work, contact your operator's support service to clarify the current commands.
There is also a code *#62#that checks for forwarding when your phone is turned off or is out of network coverage. Fraudsters often set up this type of redirection to intercept calls when you are sleeping or on the subway. Checking this parameter is as important as checking the main status.
Remember the code ##002# as the “security code”. Enter it regularly, especially after you have given your phone to children or friends, as well as after visiting suspicious sites.
Searching for forwarding settings in the Android menu
The operating system interface Android may vary depending on the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel), but the logic for searching for call settings remains the same. Usually the path is through the standard “Phone” application, which is the default “dialer”. Hidden here are settings that control how your SIM card behaves when receiving incoming calls.
Open the Phone app and tap the three dots in the top right corner (or the More button) to open the menu. Select "Settings". In the list that opens, look for a section that may be called “Calls,” “Call Accounts,” or “Advanced Settings.” This is where management resides conditions for forwarding.
After moving to the desired section, the system may request time to download settings from the operator’s network. This is normal behavior. You'll see a list of options: Always forward, If busy, If no answer, and If unavailable. Click on each of them in turn.
If forwarding is active, you will see the set phone number and the option to change or disable it. The "Disconnect" or "Voice Call" button (to reset) will return the settings to their original state. In some shells, for example MIUI or OneUI, these settings can be duplicated in the general “Settings” menu of the smartphone in the “SIM cards and mobile networks” section.
☑️ Checking the settings in the menu
Analysis of activity through call history and applications
Sometimes call forwarding is not explicitly displayed in the settings if it is implemented through third-party software. Malicious applications can have permissions to manage calls and redirect them programmatically, bypassing the operator’s standard settings. Therefore, it is important to audit installed applications.
Go to the smartphone settings and open the “Applications” section. Carefully review the list, paying attention to apps with names like “Call Forwarding”, “Call Manager”, “Spam Protection” from unknown developers. Applications that were recently installed and have the “Phone” or “Call Management” permission are especially suspicious.
It’s also worth checking your call history. If you see strange outgoing calls to short numbers or unknown landline numbers that you did not make, this may be a sign that attackers are testing the forwarding functionality or trying to activate paid subscriptions. Removing the suspicious application often solves the soft redirect problem.
| Forwarding type | When it works | Risk of interception | Verification code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unconditional | All calls at once | Critical (100%) | *#21# |
| If busy | During a call | High | *#67# |
| If there is no answer | After 15-30 seconds of beeps | Medium | *#61# |
| If unavailable | Phone is turned off/offline | High | *#62# |
For a more in-depth analysis, you can use developer mode or specialized logs, but for the average user, manually checking application rights is sufficient. If an application requires access to calls for no obvious reason (for example, a simple flashlight or calculator), it should be removed immediately.
Hidden forwarding via VoIP
Some modern instant messengers and IP telephony services can intercept calls if they are configured as the default calling application. Check in the “Default Applications” settings which app is responsible for making calls. There should be a standard dialer, not third-party software.
Using the engineering menu for diagnostics
For advanced users, there is access to the engineering menu, which provides deeper access to the radio module settings. This method allows you to see technical network parameters that are not displayed in the regular interface. However, it must be used with caution, since changing incorrect parameters can lead to loss of communication.
To enter the engineering menu, enter the code ##4636##in the dialer. This code works on most devices with “clean” Android and many custom firmware. If the code does not work, it is possible that the manufacturer of your smartphone (for example Huawei or new models Xiaomi) has blocked this access.
In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information”. Scroll down to the section related to call settings. Here you can find menu options that allow you to force certain types of connections to disable or see your current network login status. This is useful if the standard settings are “buggy” and do not reflect the real picture.
⚠️ Attention: The engineering menu is intended for testing equipment. Do not change the network type settings (LTE/GSM) or signal strength parameters without understanding the consequences, this may lead to unstable operation of the communication module.
If in the engineering menu you see active forwarding flags that cannot be cleared through the normal menu, try resetting the network settings. This action will return all radio module parameters to factory defaults, removing any software glitches that could simulate forwarding.
The influence of telecom operators and tariff options
We cannot exclude the fact that forwarding was activated not on the phone, but on the operator’s side. Mobile operators provide forwarding services, both paid and free options, which can be activated through your personal account, USSD commands or a call to support.
Attackers, having gained access to your personal operator account (through phishing or password guessing), can enable forwarding remotely. In this case, no manipulations with the phone settings Android will help, since the command is executed on the server of the cellular company. The only way to combat this is to change the password for your personal account.
It is recommended to regularly log into your operator’s application or website to your personal account. Check the “Services” or “Connected Options” section. If you see the “Call Forwarding” service active there, disable it immediately. Also check your service connection history to understand when and how this feature was activated.
Sometimes forwarding is enabled automatically when services such as “Virtual Number” or “Antispam” are activated. Carefully read the conditions for connecting to new tariffs. Some operators offer a “Stay Connected” feature that redirects calls to another number when your main phone's battery is low.
If resetting your phone and USSD codes do not help, the problem is on the operator's side. Urgently change the password for your personal account and contact technical support.
Protection measures and prevention of interception
Once you have found and disabled redirection, it is important to take steps to prevent the situation from reoccurring. The security of your phone number is directly related to the security of your bank accounts and social media accounts, since verification codes are sent to the number 2FA.
Set a strong password or PIN code on the SIM card itself. This will prevent your SIM card from being used in another phone without your knowledge. In settings Android this is done in the “Security” → “SIM Card Lock” section. Each time you reboot your phone, you will need to enter this code.
Be vigilant when receiving calls from unknown numbers that pose as bank, police, or technical support employees. Never enter commands that the other person dictates to you, especially if they begin with an asterisk * or hash #. Fraudsters often use social engineering to force the victim to enable forwarding on their own.
- 🛡️ Regularly change passwords for your personal account of the telecom operator and use two-factor authentication where possible (via an application, not SMS).
- 📱 Do not install applications from unverified sources and carefully read the permissions that they prompted during installation.
- 🔒 Enable the “SIM Overwrite Protection” feature in Android security settings, if such an option is available on your model.
Remember that complete security is a set of measures. Even if you have disabled forwarding, but left a weak email password, attackers may find another way. A comprehensive approach to digital hygiene guarantees the safety of your data and peace of mind.
Can forwarding be enabled on its own?
Technically, forwarding cannot be enabled by itself. This requires a command from the user, the action of a malicious application, or operator intervention. However, network failures or firmware updates can sometimes reset the settings to default, which for some operators include basic forwarding to voicemail.
Does forwarding affect the cost of calls?
Yes, in most cases, outgoing forwarding is charged as a regular outgoing call to the number to which the call is forwarded. If forwarding is to the number of your own operator within the region, it can be free, but when forwarding to other networks or in roaming, the costs can be significant.
How to find out which number is being forwarded to if it is hidden?
When using a USSD code *#21# or through the call settings menu, the system must show the number to which the redirection is being made. If “Unknown” or a service code is displayed instead of a number, this may indicate redirection to operator service numbers (for example, answering machine). For clarification, contact your operator.
Resetting the phone settings will remove forwarding?
Resetting the phone settings (Factory Reset) will delete all applications and device settings, but does not always cancel the forwarding configured on the operator's side. Therefore, after the reset, be sure to check the forwarding status via the USSD code ##002#.
Does forwarding block incoming calls to my phone?
With unconditional forwarding, calls do not arrive at your device, they immediately go to another number. With conditional forwarding (if busy, no answer), the phone first rings at your place, and only if you do not pick up the call, the call is forwarded further.