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 Grasshopper: Add your FrontDesk Talk number as a forwarding number with direct connect, and set a schedule if you only want it answering after hours.
Step by step
Open Extensions
In the Grasshopper admin portal, go to Extensions and click Edit on the extension your calls ring.
Add a forwarding number
Click Add a forwarding number and enter your 10-digit FrontDesk Talk number.
Connect callers directly
When Grasshopper asks how to handle calls, choose direct connect, so callers go straight to your receptionist with no announcement to accept.
Pick when it rings
Under “When do you want this number to receive calls?” choose always, or a schedule such as after hours. Then click Add this number.
Good to know
- If the extension has several forwarding numbers, Grasshopper can ring them in order or all at once. Put your own cell first and FrontDesk Talk after it if you want to try to answer first.
- Grasshopper’s ring time setting controls how long each number rings before the call moves on.
- Don’t forward to your Grasshopper number itself. Grasshopper warns that it creates a loop.
- 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 Extensions, click Edit, and select Off next to your FrontDesk Talk number. Grasshopper says that if every forwarding number is off, calls go to voicemail.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Who can change forwarding?
Grasshopper says an admin can edit every extension, and users can edit their own.
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: Grasshopper: Forward incoming calls for an extension; Grasshopper: Change an extension’s ring time.
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes about 10 minutes. Cancel anytime.