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 Vonage Business: Forward all calls on the extension your main number rings, so FrontDesk Talk answers every call. Turn it back off when you want your team to pick up.
Step by step
Sign in to the Admin Portal
Click Phone System, then Extensions. Hover over the extension and click the pencil icon.
Open Call Forwarding
Click Call Forwarding and toggle Forward Calls to enabled.
Add your FrontDesk Talk number
Select Send To Ext. or Number, click Add New Number, and enter your 10-digit FrontDesk Talk number.
Save
Save your changes, then make a test call.
Good to know
- Not an admin? Sign in to your online account, click your avatar, then Settings, then Call Forwarding, and choose Forward All Calls.
- Vonage also offers Follow Me and Simultaneous Ring, which ring other numbers too. Vonage says that if no one answers, the call goes to voicemail.
- 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
In the Admin Portal, open the extension, click Call Forwarding, and toggle Forward Calls to disabled. Users can pick Voicemail, Follow Me, or Simultaneous Ring instead of Forward All Calls.
Before you cancel FrontDesk Talk, turn off forwarding so calls go back to your phone.
Questions
Can Vonage ring my team first and forward only missed calls?
Vonage’s Business Communications guides describe forwarding all calls, Follow Me, and Simultaneous Ring, not a separate no-answer rule. Ask Vonage what fits your setup.
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: Vonage Business: Call Forwarding; Vonage Business: Never Miss a Call.
Stop paying for voicemail.
Setup takes about 10 minutes. Cancel anytime.