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 RingCentral: Set missed calls to forward to your FrontDesk Talk number, so your team’s phones ring first. Add an after hours rule if you want the AI to take every call at night.
Step by step
Open Settings
In the RingCentral app on desktop or web, click Settings in the left bar, then Phone.
Edit Call handling
Scroll to Call handling and click Edit. Choose Work hours or After hours.
Forward missed calls
Under Missed calls, choose Forward to external number and enter your FrontDesk Talk number.
Save
Click Save. Repeat for After hours if you want the AI to answer at night too.
Good to know
- To send every call to FrontDesk Talk, use the Forward all calls option in the app or the Admin Portal.
- If your main number goes to an auto-receptionist or call queue, your admin may need to set forwarding there instead.
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 Settings, Phone, Call handling and set Missed calls back to voicemail, or turn off Forward all calls.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Should I port my number from RingCentral instead?
Only if you want FrontDesk Talk to be your only phone system. If your team uses RingCentral for desk phones and extensions, forwarding keeps everything as it is.
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: RingCentral: Setting up call forwarding in the RingCentral app; RingCentral: Turning the Forward all calls feature on or off.
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes about 10 minutes. Cancel anytime.