Two ways to forward
Forward everything, or forward only what you miss. Most offices start with conditional forwarding: the AI answers when nobody picks up in four rings, when the line is busy, or outside opening hours. Nothing changes for callers you do pick up.
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
On a mobile line, conditional forwarding is a short code dialed once. Verizon uses *71 followed by the AI number to forward when busy or unanswered. AT&T uses *61* for no answer and *67* for busy, ending with #. T-Mobile uses **61* and **67* in the same way. Dial from the phone whose number you are forwarding. To cancel, the codes are *73, #61# and ##61# respectively. We send you the exact code with your AI number during setup.
RingCentral, Vonage, Nextiva, Dialpad
Business phone systems have forwarding rules per user, per queue and per time of day in their admin panel. The usual pattern: ring the desk for 20 seconds, then forward to the AI number. After hours, forward immediately. We set this up with you on a screen share.
Google Voice
Google Voice forwards to linked numbers, so the AI number is added as a linked number and rings after your own devices, or first, outside hours.
Landlines
Most landline providers support *72 for unconditional forwarding and *71 for busy or no answer. If your line does not, port-free forwarding can be done at the carrier level by their support desk.
Testing before going live
Call your own number from another phone during the audit week. Let it ring. The AI should pick up on ring five, greet with your business name and know your hours. We do this test with you before any real caller hears it.