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 Nextiva: Use call forwarding (unanswered) so your phone rings first and FrontDesk Talk answers the calls you miss. Add busy forwarding as a backup.
The Nextiva 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
Open the user’s voice settings
In the Nextiva admin portal, go to Users, select the user, then Actions, then Voice Settings, then Forwarding.
Set call forwarding (unanswered)
Expand Call forwarding (unanswered), enter your 10-digit FrontDesk Talk number, and pick how many rings before it forwards.
Add call forwarding (busy)
In the same section, set Call forwarding (busy) to your FrontDesk Talk number too. Click Save.
Or forward everything with *72
From the phone, dial *72, wait for the prompt, enter your FrontDesk Talk number, and press the pound key.
*72 then Talk number#
Good to know
- Nextiva says these forwarding rules only apply to calls made directly to the user, not calls from a call center or call group. If your main number rings a group, ask Nextiva about forwarding there.
- In the NextivaONE app, users can find forwarding under their initials, then My Settings, then Calls, then Forwarding.
- 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 to turn off always forwarding. For unanswered and busy forwarding, go back to Voice Settings, Forwarding, and turn them off.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Can I forward calls when my phone is off or offline?
Nextiva has a separate setting for when your number is unreachable, in the same Forwarding section.
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: Nextiva: Call forwarding (always); Nextiva: Call forward no answer; Nextiva: Call forward busy; Nextiva: Call forward not reachable.
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes about 10 minutes. Cancel anytime.