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 Ooma Office: Use *72 when you want FrontDesk Talk to answer every call, like after hours. Turn it off with *73 when you’re back.
The Ooma Office 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.
Pick up your Ooma phone
Use a phone on the extension you want to forward.
Dial *72
Wait for the prompt, then enter your FrontDesk Talk number and press the pound key.
*72 then Talk number#Or use the portal or app
In the End User Portal, open Settings, then Call Handling, choose to forward calls, and enter your FrontDesk Talk number. In the mobile app, tap More, then Call Forward.
Good to know
- Ooma says *74 switches an existing forward on or off, so you can keep the number saved and toggle it.
- An admin can also turn forwarding on for a user in the Ooma Office Manager, under the user’s Call Forwarding tab. Ooma says none of that user’s devices ring while forwarding is on.
- Ooma documents a setting to forward calls when all your devices are offline. Look for it under Call Handling in the End User Portal.
- Using Ooma Telo at home? Forwarding lives in My Ooma under Preferences, Call Forwarding, and Ooma says it needs Ooma Premier.
- 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 extension to clear forwarding, or *74 to switch it off and keep the number saved.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Can Ooma ring my phones first and forward only missed calls?
Ooma’s call handling guide lists voicemail and other extensions as the places unanswered calls can go. We couldn’t confirm an outside number there, so ask Ooma, or forward everything after hours.
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: Ooma: How to forward calls; Ooma: How to turn call forwarding on or off for a user; Ooma: How to forward calls when devices are offline; Ooma: Call forwarding and multi-ring (Ooma Telo).
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes about 10 minutes. Cancel anytime.