Call Barring Meaning: What It Is + How to Turn It Off (2026)
Call barring means blocking whole categories of calls (all outgoing, international, incoming) at the carrier level. The 5 types, GSM codes like *33*PIN# and #330#, default passwords 0000/1234, and what to do when “call barred” appears.
Call barring means blocking entire categories of calls at the network level — all outgoing calls, all international calls, all incoming calls, or incoming calls while roaming. It's enforced by your carrier, not your phone, which is why it works even with a different handset and why you need a 4-digit barring password (usually 0000 or 1234by default) to change it. That's the one-line answer; the rest of this guide covers the types, the GSM codes to check and turn it off, and what to do when you see “call barred” and didn't set it up yourself.
Call Barring vs Call Blocking vs Call Forwarding
These three get confused constantly. The difference is what gets restricted and where:
| Feature | What it restricts | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|
| Call barring | Whole categories (all outgoing, all international, all incoming…) | Carrier network (needs barring password) |
| Call blocking | Specific numbers you choose | Your phone (block list) |
| Call forwarding | Nothing — it redirects calls to another number | Carrier network (*72/*21# codes) |
The 5 Types of Call Barring (With GSM Codes)
Call barring is part of the GSM standard, so the same service codes work on almost every carrier worldwide. Replace PIN with your barring password (default 0000 or 1234 on most networks):
| Barring type | Activate | Deactivate | Check status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All outgoing calls | *33*PIN# | #33*PIN# | *#33# |
| Outgoing international | *331*PIN# | #331*PIN# | *#331# |
| Outgoing intl. except home country | *332*PIN# | #332*PIN# | *#332# |
| All incoming calls | *35*PIN# | #35*PIN# | *#35# |
| Incoming while roaming | *351*PIN# | #351*PIN# | *#351# |
Dial the code like a phone number and press call. #330*PIN# removes all barring at once on most networks. Three wrong password attempts can lock the barring settings — after that only your carrier can reset them.
How to Turn Off Call Barring
Android (including Samsung)
- Open the Phone app and tap the three-dot menu → Settings
- Go to Calling accounts / Supplementary services (Samsung: Settings → Call barring)
- Tap Call barring, choose Voice call
- Toggle off each active barring type — you'll be asked for the barring password (default 0000 or 1234)
iPhone
iOS has no call barring menu— Apple never exposed the GSM barring controls. Barring on an iPhone is either set via the dial codes above (they work from the keypad) or managed by your carrier. If an iPhone shows “call barred,” dial #330*0000#(or your carrier's password) or contact the carrier.
If the password doesn't work
The barring password is a networkpassword, not your SIM PIN or phone PIN. If 0000 and 1234 both fail, only your carrier's support line can reset it. Don't keep guessing — three failures usually locks it.
Seeing “Call Barred” but You Never Set It Up?
A “call barred” or “outgoing calls barred” message with no barring configured usually means one of these:
- Carrier-side bar: unpaid bill, prepaid balance at zero, or a fraud flag — the carrier bars outgoing calls until resolved
- Work or family-managed SIM: corporate fleets and child plans commonly bar international or premium numbers by policy
- Prepaid plan restrictions: many prepaid SIMs bar international dialing by default and require an add-on to unlock it
- Accidental activation: the dial codes are easy to trigger from a pocket-dial — check status with *#33#
Barred from calling internationally on your SIM?Barring lives on the carrier line — it doesn't apply to calls made over the internet. A browser dialer like BubblyPhoneplaces the call over Wi-Fi/data with its own caller ID, so you can ring any international number from $0.006/min without touching the SIM's barring settings — useful on corporate phones and prepaid plans where the international unlock isn't worth the fee. (Same idea as calling without a SIM entirely.)
When Call Barring Is Actually Useful
- Roaming cost control: bar incoming-while-roaming before a trip — on old-style roaming plans you pay to receive calls abroad
- Kids' phones: bar outgoing international and premium-rate numbers while leaving normal calls open
- Company phones: bar premium/international dialing across a fleet
- Lost SIM in transit: bar all outgoing until a replacement arrives (though a full carrier suspension is safer)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does call barring mean on my phone?
What is the default call barring password?
Does call barring block WhatsApp or FaceTime calls?
How do I deactivate call barring without the password?
Why does my phone say “call barred” when I dial international numbers?
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