Forward calls from a landline (Telus, Bell, or Eastlink)
Landlines use different codes from cell phones, and busy or no-answer forwarding is often an add-on. Here is how to set it and what to ask your provider.
- About 10 minutes
- No technical skills needed
- For: Offices and shops with a traditional or cable phone line
7 steps in this guide
Before you start, have these ready
- The landline phone itself
- Your Ringhero number
- Your phone account number, in case you need to call your provider
- A second phone for the test
Step 1: Find your Ringhero number
Sign in, open Phone, and look for your Ringhero number. This is the private number your calls forward to. Callers never see it.
Write it down or use the button that texts the steps to your cell, so you have it on the phone you will dial from.
What you should see
A ten-digit phone number with your area code.
Step 2: Decide when calls should forward
On a landline, forwarding every call works on most lines straight away. Forwarding only when you are busy or do not answer is often a feature your provider has to add to your line first.
Step 3: To forward every call, use *72
Pick up the handset and listen for the dial tone. Dial the code, wait for a second tone, then dial your Ringhero number. Stay on the line until you hear a confirmation tone or the call is answered.
Use this at closing time if you want the receptionist to cover after hours, and turn it off when you open.
Forward all calls on
*72
Then dial your Ringhero number
Forward all calls off
*73
If a code does not work
Codes can differ by plan. If a code doesn't work, call your provider and say: please set conditional call forwarding on busy and no answer to <your Ringhero number>.
What you should see
Two short beeps or a confirmation tone. Calls to your business number now go to the receptionist.
Step 4: To forward only when busy or unanswered, try *90 and *92
On many lines these codes turn on busy and no-answer forwarding. Dial the code, wait for the tone, then dial your number, the same way as with *72.
If you hear a fast busy signal or a recording, the feature is not on your line yet. Go to the next step.
Forward when the line is busy
*90
Then dial your Ringhero number
Forward when nobody answers
*92
Then dial your Ringhero number
If a code does not work
Codes can differ by plan. If a code doesn't work, call your provider and say: please set conditional call forwarding on busy and no answer to <your Ringhero number>.
Step 5: If the codes are refused, call your provider
Call the customer service number on your phone bill and ask for call forwarding on busy and no answer to be added to your line. Read them the sentence in the box above.
Ask two things before you hang up: how many rings before it forwards, and which code turns it off.
Tip
There may be a small monthly charge from your phone company for this feature. Ask so that it is not a surprise on your bill.
Step 6: Test it
From a different phone, call your business number and do not pick up. After about 20 seconds the receptionist should answer.
What you should see
A greeting that names your business and says it is an AI assistant. The Phone screen in your dashboard turns green.
Step 7: Put the codes on the wall
Print the steps from the Phone screen and keep them beside the phone, so whoever closes up can turn forwarding on and whoever opens can turn it off.
This guide was written for the beta. If a screen is named a little differently from what you see, the steps still apply in the same order.