Does *#21# work on my network?

It works on GSM-standard mobile networks, which is most phone companies in the world, including AT&T and T-Mobile in the US, every UK network and most of Europe, Canada, Australia, India (not Jio) and Latin America. Verizon and the brands on its network use their own codes instead (*72, *71 and *73), Jio uses its own (*413 turns forwarding off), and Google Fi has no codes at all. It works the same on iPhone and Android: the phone sends the code to your network.

What happens to my voicemail?

*#21# changes nothing, so voicemail is not affected. On many networks your voicemail is itself a forward of the calls you miss (to the voicemail number). That is why a check code can show a number you don’t recognize: often it is your voicemail’s.

How do I read the answer?

The message on the screen is the answer: “not active” (or “disabled”) means no forward of this kind, otherwise it shows the number calls go to. *#21#, *#67#, *#61# and *#62# cover every kind.

Does it show if my phone is hacked or tapped?

No. It only asks your network whether your calls are forwarded, and to which number. It says nothing about spyware, tapping or hacking. If it shows a number you don’t know and didn’t set, turn off only this forward with ##21# and ask your phone company who set it. Use ##002# only as a last resort: it turns voicemail off too on many networks, so afterwards set voicemail up again in your phone’s voicemail settings or ask your phone company to turn it back on.

Is *#21# a secret code?

No. It is the standard check for the every-call forward (service code 21 in the network standard), published by phone companies. *#67#, *#61# and *#62# check the missed-call forwards.

Shows: every call.

What does *#21# mean?

*#21# asks your network whether every call is forwarded, and shows the number if it is; it changes nothing.

Source: 3GPP TS 22.030, the shared network standard. Checked on October 6, 2026.

How to dial it

*#21#

Open the keypad. Open your Phone app and go to the keypad, as if to make a call.
Type *#21#. Type *#21# exactly, with no number.
Press call. Your network answers in a few seconds with the status on the screen.

Type *#21# exactly as written and press call. It changes nothing.

More about *#21#

Does *#21# work on my network?: It works on GSM-standard mobile networks, which is most phone companies in the world, including AT&T and T-Mobile in the US, every UK network and most of Europe, Canada, Australia, India (not Jio) and Latin America. Verizon and the brands on its network use their own codes instead (*72, *71 and *73), Jio uses its own (*413 turns forwarding off), and Google Fi has no codes at all. It works the same on iPhone and Android: the phone sends the code to your network.
What happens to my voicemail?: *#21# changes nothing, so voicemail is not affected. On many networks your voicemail is itself a forward of the calls you miss (to the voicemail number). That is why a check code can show a number you don’t recognize: often it is your voicemail’s.
How do I read the answer?: The message on the screen is the answer: “not active” (or “disabled”) means no forward of this kind, otherwise it shows the number calls go to. *#21#, *#67#, *#61# and *#62# cover every kind.
Does it show if my phone is hacked or tapped?: No. It only asks your network whether your calls are forwarded, and to which number. It says nothing about spyware, tapping or hacking. If it shows a number you don’t know and didn’t set, turn off only this forward with ##21# and ask your phone company who set it. Use ##002# only as a last resort: it turns voicemail off too on many networks, so afterwards set voicemail up again in your phone’s voicemail settings or ask your phone company to turn it back on.
Is *#21# a secret code?: No. It is the standard check for the every-call forward (service code 21 in the network standard), published by phone companies. *#67#, *#61# and *#62# check the missed-call forwards.

Where to next?

Turning forwarding off on a phone company that doesn’t use these codes? The turn-off guide has Verizon’s, Jio’s and the iPhone and Android settings. To get the exact code for your phone company and a number, use the code generator.

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