What Does 21190 Do? (2026 Complete Guide – Meaning, Charges & How to Stop It)

If you ever typed *21*190# on your phone or saw it on someone’s screen, you probably asked the same question most people ask:

“What does 21190 actually do?”

Some say it steals money.
Some say it forwards calls.
Some say it’s a secret code.

The truth is less dramatic and more useful.

This 2026 guide explains exactly what 21190 does, how it works on Nigerian networks, whether it costs money, and how to disable it if you don’t need it.

No myths. No fear-mongering. Just real telecom logic.

Short Answer: What Does 21190 Do?

*21*190# activates call forwarding to the number 190.

That means:

• All your incoming calls get redirected to 190
• Your phone will not ring
• Callers reach the forwarded number instead

This works on most GSM networks, including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile.

What Is Call Forwarding?

Call forwarding is a standard GSM feature supported globally.

It allows you to:

• Redirect calls to another number
• Use voicemail systems
• Route calls to call centers
• Avoid missed calls

It is not a hack.
It is not spyware.
It is not magic.

It’s basic telecom infrastructure.

Breaking Down the Code: 21190#

Let’s decode it:

Part	Meaning
*21*	Call forwarding command
190	Destination number
#	Execute command

So:

*21*190#
= Forward all calls to 190

Simple.

Why Does 190 Matter?

On Nigerian networks, 190 is usually a network service number.

It is often used for:

• Voicemail
• Customer service systems
• Operator routing
• Internal network features

It is not a private person’s number.

So if your calls go to 190, they usually enter a network-controlled system, not a scammer’s phone.

Does 21190 Steal Your Money?

No.

This code:

• Does not debit airtime
• Does not subscribe you to anything
• Does not install anything

However…

You May Still Be Charged

If someone calls you and your call gets forwarded:

• The caller pays normally
• You may pay forwarding charges, depending on your network plan

So it doesn’t steal money, but it can cause extra call costs.

How Do People Activate 21190 by Mistake?

Most cases happen because:

• Someone copied a “network trick” online
• Someone typed random USSD codes
• Someone followed a TikTok “hack”
• Someone tried to fix voicemail

Curiosity meets telecom reality.

How to Know If 21190 Is Active on Your Phone

Easy test:

Call your number from another phone.

If:

• Your phone doesn’t ring
• Call redirects instantly

Then call forwarding is active.

How to Cancel 21190 (Very Important)

To stop it, dial:

##21#

This command:

• Cancels all call forwarding
• Restores normal incoming calls
• Works on all networks

This is the universal GSM deactivation code.

Other Related Call Forwarding Codes

These are real and official:

Code	Function
*21*number#	Forward all calls
##21#	Cancel all forwarding
*67*number#	Forward when busy
*61*number#	Forward when unreachable
##002#	Cancel everything (full reset)

These come from GSM standards used worldwide.

Is 21190 Dangerous?

No.

It is only dangerous if:

• You don’t know it’s active
• You miss important calls
• You pay forwarding charges unknowingly

It does not:

• Spy on you
• Access your phone
• Record conversations
• Install malware

It just moves calls.

Can Someone Activate It Remotely?

No.

Call forwarding codes only work when:

• Typed directly on your phone
• Or activated inside your SIM settings

Nobody can trigger it remotely without touching your device.

Why Do People Think 21190 Is a Scam?

Because:

• Calls disappear suddenly
• People panic
• They Google random theories

And fear spreads faster than facts.

It’s the same reason people think “airplane mode charges battery”.

Telecom myths never die.

Does 21190 Work on WhatsApp or Internet Calls?

No.

It only affects:

• Normal GSM voice calls

It does not affect:

• WhatsApp calls
• Telegram
• Zoom
• Instagram
• Internet data

It only controls carrier voice routing.

Does It Work on MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile?

Yes.

Because:

• It’s part of global GSM protocol
• Not a network-specific trick

Every major mobile network supports it.

When Is Call Forwarding Actually Useful?

Believe it or not, professionals use it daily.

It’s useful when:

• You manage business lines
• You want calls to reach office desk
• You travel without roaming
• You use voicemail systems
• You run support centers

It’s not evil. It’s just misunderstood.

How to Check Your Call Forwarding Status

On most phones:

Android:

Settings → Calls → Call forwarding

iPhone:

Settings → Phone → Call forwarding

You’ll see:

• Which rules are active
• Which numbers receive calls

Common Myths (Ignore These)

“21190 tracks your phone”

False.

“It hacks your SIM”

False.

“It gives free calls”

False.

“It steals OTPs”

False.

OTP messages are SMS, not calls.

Trusted Sources & Standards

This guide is based on:

• GSM call forwarding standards
• ITU-T telecom protocols
• Mobile network operator documentation
• Android and iOS call routing systems

These codes exist in every GSM country, not just Nigeria.

Final Thoughts

So, what does *21*190# really do?

It simply:

Forwards all your incoming calls to number 190.

Nothing more.
Nothing less.

No scams.
No hacks.
No secrets.

Just a normal telecom feature that went viral for the wrong reasons.

And now you know the most important part:

If you ever see your calls acting funny, just dial:

##21#

And your phone goes back to normal.

Sometimes the biggest internet mysteries are just one line of code doing exactly what it was designed to do.