How do I forward calls to an AI receptionist?

Forwarding calls to an AI receptionist is done through your phone carrier or VoIP provider's call forwarding settings — it typically takes less than 10 minutes to set up. Most businesses either forward all calls unconditionally, or use conditional forwarding so calls only route to the AI when you're unavailable, on another call, or outside business hours. Your carrier may let you set this up through a simple dial code (like *72 on many networks), through your online account dashboard, or through your VoIP system's admin panel.

The actual process depends on what phone system you're using. If you have a traditional landline or mobile number through a carrier like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, you'll dial a forwarding code followed by the AI receptionist's designated phone number. If you're using a VoIP platform like RingCentral, Grasshopper, or Google Voice, you'll find call forwarding rules inside your account settings and can usually set time-based or condition-based rules with more precision. Either way, the AI receptionist provider will give you a specific number to forward your calls to when you sign up.

Before going live, it's worth testing the setup yourself by calling your business number and confirming the AI answers correctly. Most AI receptionist services let you customize a greeting, set instructions for how calls should be handled, and choose whether the AI should take messages, answer FAQs, or attempt to transfer urgent calls back to you. Getting those details right before forwarding real customer calls will make the experience feel professional rather than cobbled together.

For businesses ready to stop missing calls, My AI Front Desk offers 24/7 AI receptionist coverage starting at $65/month. It handles after-hours calls, answers common questions, and captures lead information so nothing falls through the cracks. Learn more at myaifrontdesk.com.