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 Dialpad: Route your main line’s closed-hours calls, or unanswered calls, to your FrontDesk Talk number. Dialpad says routing to a number outside Dialpad needs their support team to turn it on first.
Step by step
Ask Dialpad to allow outside numbers
Dialpad says routing a main line to a number outside Dialpad has to be enabled by their support team first. Ask them before you start.
Open the main line
As an admin, open Admin Settings and go to Business Hours and Call Routing for your main line.
Choose open or closed hours
Select Closed Hours Routing to have FrontDesk Talk answer after hours, or set where unanswered calls go during open hours.
Send calls to your FrontDesk Talk number
Choose to send calls to another team member, room, phone, or external number, and enter your FrontDesk Talk number. Save.
Good to know
- Dialpad’s personal forwarding numbers can ask whoever answers to press 1 first, and Dialpad says that prompt can’t be fully turned off. Your receptionist won’t press 1, so use main line routing instead.
- Menus and settings vary by plan. Your Dialpad admin can see the options for your office.
- Codes and menus can change. If a step doesn’t match, contact the provider.
Menus and settings can vary by plan. If one doesn’t work, call your carrier.
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
Go back to Business Hours and Call Routing and set the routing back to your team or voicemail.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Why not add FrontDesk Talk as a forwarding number in my Dialpad app?
Dialpad’s help center says the press 1 prompt on forwarded calls can’t be bypassed or fully disabled. An AI receptionist won’t press 1, so those calls may not connect.
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 September 2026: Dialpad: Manage a main line; Dialpad: Forwarding number FAQs.
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes about 10 minutes. Cancel anytime.