Which kind of forwarding to use
Always
Every call goes to FrontDesk Talk and your phone never rings. Use it when you want the AI to answer everything, or at night and on weekends.
No answer
Your phone rings first. If you don’t pick up, the call moves to FrontDesk Talk. This is the setup most owners start with.
Busy
If you’re already on a call or you decline one, the caller goes to FrontDesk Talk instead of voicemail.
Unreachable
If your phone is off, out of battery, or has no signal, calls still get answered.
Our advice for Cox Business: Turn on Forward When No Answer in MyAccount and pick how many rings, so your phone rings first and FrontDesk Talk answers the rest. Use *72 when you want FrontDesk Talk to take every call.
The Cox Business codes
| Forwarding | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Always | *72Talk number | *73 |
Replace Talk number with your 10-digit FrontDesk Talk number, then press Call. Codes can vary by plan. If one doesn’t work, call your carrier.
Step by step
Find your FrontDesk Talk number
It’s the number we give you during setup. Use all 10 digits.
Open Call Forwarding in MyAccount
Sign in at myaccount-business.cox.com, click the Voice icon, expand Call Settings, then click Call Forwarding.
Turn on Forward When No Answer
Switch it on, enter your FrontDesk Talk number in Forward To, and pick the number of rings in the Rings Before menu. Turn on Forward When Busy the same way.
Or forward everything with *72
From the business phone, dial *72, wait for the dial tone, then dial your FrontDesk Talk number. A stutter tone and then a dial tone mean it worked.
*72 then Talk number
Good to know
- Cox lets you pick from none up to 20 rings before an unanswered call forwards.
- MyAccount also has a Not Reachable rule for a power outage or other interruption. Point it at your FrontDesk Talk number so calls still get answered.
- In the Cox Business MyAccount app, go to the Home tab and open Call Forwarding in the Cox Business Voice section.
- To change forwarding online, your account admin has to give you permission. Cox says Profile Owners and Profile Admins can change every number on the account.
- Your phone gives one short ring each time a call is forwarded, and you can still make calls.
- Cox’s website now says “Cox is now Spectrum.” If your account has moved to the Spectrum Business MyAccount, call forwarding is in its voice settings there.
- Codes and menus can change. If a step doesn’t match, contact the provider.
Test it
- Call your business number from a different phone, like your cell.
- You should hear your FrontDesk Talk greeting instead of a ring or voicemail.
- Hang up and watch for the Talk Note by text and email.
Turn it off
Dial *73 from the business line, wait for the confirmation tone, and hang up. For rules in MyAccount, switch each one off.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Can I change forwarding when I’m away from the office?
Yes. Use Cox Business MyAccount online or in the app to change forwarding from anywhere.
Who do I call for help?
Cox Business lists tech support at 1-866-272-5777, 24 hours a day.
Will my callers know the call was forwarded?
No. They dial your usual number and hear your receptionist. Nothing sounds different on their end.
Does forwarding cost extra?
Most plans include forwarding. Some carriers count forwarded calls against your minutes if your plan isn’t unlimited. Check with your carrier if you’re not sure.
Can I still make calls from my phone?
Yes. Forwarding only changes where incoming calls go. Outgoing calls work the same as before.
Can I switch between always and no answer?
Yes. Turn one off and the other on anytime. Many owners use no answer during the day and always at night.
Would porting my number be better?
Forwarding is quickest. Porting moves your number to us so you can drop the old line. Read the porting guide.
Sources, checked October 2026: Cox Business: Using call forwarding; Cox Business: Changing call forwarding rules online; Cox Business: Changing the Forward When No Answer rule; Cox Business: Setting up call forward features in the MyAccount app; Cox Business: Contact us.
Other phone companies
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes a few minutes. Cancel anytime.