How to Forward Calls to Your AI Receptionist
Set up call forwarding in under 2 minutes. This guide covers every major carrier, VoIP system, and phone type - so your AI receptionist can start answering calls immediately.
Quick Start: 4 Steps to Forward Calls
Get Your SkipCalls Number
Download SkipCalls and complete setup. You'll receive a dedicated phone number for forwarding.
60 secondsChoose Forwarding Type
Decide: forward all calls (immediate), forward only when busy/no-answer, or forward on a schedule.
30 secondsDial the Activation Code
From your business phone, dial the code for your carrier (e.g., *72 + your SkipCalls number).
30 secondsTest It
Call your business number from another phone. SkipCalls should answer and handle the call.
30 secondsTypes of Call Forwarding
Choose the forwarding method that fits how you want to handle calls.
Immediate Forwarding
*72All calls go directly to SkipCalls. Best for businesses that want AI to handle every call.
No-Answer Forwarding
*71Calls forward to SkipCalls only if you don't answer after a set number of rings.
Busy-Line Forwarding
*90Forwards calls when your line is busy with another call.
Scheduled Forwarding
VoIP/AppAutomatically forward calls based on time of day (after hours, weekends, holidays).
Call Forwarding Codes by Carrier
Find your carrier below and use the activation code to start forwarding. Replace [SkipCalls number] with the number you received when signing up.
AT&T
| Type | Activate | Deactivate |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (All Calls) | *72 + [SkipCalls number] + # | *73 |
| No Answer | *92 + [SkipCalls number] + # | *93 |
| Busy Line | *90 + [SkipCalls number] + # | *91 |
Wait for confirmation tone before hanging up
Verizon
| Type | Activate | Deactivate |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (All Calls) | *72 + [SkipCalls number] | *73 |
| No Answer | *71 + [SkipCalls number] | *73 |
| Busy Line | *90 + [SkipCalls number] | *91 |
For Verizon Business, use *72# format
T-Mobile
| Type | Activate | Deactivate |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (All Calls) | **21*[SkipCalls number]# | ##21# |
| No Answer | **61*[SkipCalls number]# | ##61# |
| Busy Line | **67*[SkipCalls number]# | ##67# |
GSM codes - works on most Android and iPhone
Landline (Traditional)
| Type | Activate | Deactivate |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (All Calls) | *72 + [SkipCalls number] | *73 |
| No Answer | *92 + [SkipCalls number] | *93 |
| Busy Line | *90 + [SkipCalls number] | *91 |
Codes vary by provider - call your phone company to confirm
VoIP & Cloud Phone Systems
Using a VoIP service? Here's how to set up forwarding in popular platforms.
Google Voice
- 1Open Google Voice app or voice.google.com
- 2Go to Settings > Calls
- 3Select "Forward calls to linked numbers"
- 4Add your SkipCalls number as a linked number
- 5Enable forwarding for that number
RingCentral
- 1Log into admin.ringcentral.com
- 2Go to Phone System > Auto-Receptionist
- 3Under Call Handling, select "Forward to"
- 4Enter your SkipCalls number
- 5Set hours for forwarding (optional)
Grasshopper
- 1Log into my.grasshopper.com
- 2Click on Extensions
- 3Select your extension
- 4Under Forwarding, add SkipCalls number
- 5Set call forwarding rules
Dialpad
- 1Open Dialpad admin portal
- 2Go to User Settings > Call Routing
- 3Add SkipCalls number to forwarding list
- 4Configure ring duration before forward
- 5Save settings
Don't see your VoIP provider? Most systems have call forwarding under Settings -> Call Routing. Search "[your provider] call forwarding" or contact their support.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Call forwarding not working? Here are fixes for the most common problems.
Calls aren't forwarding
- Verify call forwarding is enabled with your carrier (call them to confirm)
- Check that you entered the SkipCalls number correctly (include area code)
- Try the deactivation code first, then reactivate
- Some carriers require you to answer the forwarded test call
Callers hear too many rings
- Reduce the ring count before forwarding kicks in
- Use immediate forwarding (*72) instead of no-answer forwarding
- For VoIP, check the ring timeout setting in your portal
- SkipCalls answers in under 2 seconds once the call forwards
Forwarding works sometimes but not always
- Check if you have conditional forwarding set up incorrectly
- Verify your phone isn't in Do Not Disturb mode
- For VoIP, check internet connection stability
- Some carriers have different codes for cell vs landline
Getting charged for forwarded calls
- Forwarding uses your minutes (the call goes to your phone, then to SkipCalls)
- If this is an issue, use a VoIP system with native forwarding
- Consider getting a dedicated SkipCalls number instead
- Business phone plans often include unlimited forwarding
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up call forwarding?
Less than 2 minutes for most phone systems. Simply dial the activation code followed by your SkipCalls number. For VoIP systems, it's usually a few clicks in your admin portal. SkipCalls is ready to answer calls the moment forwarding is active.
Will I still see who's calling when calls are forwarded?
Yes. When SkipCalls handles a forwarded call, you receive a notification with the caller's phone number, their name (if available), and a summary of the conversation. You can also access full transcripts in the SkipCalls app.
Can I forward calls only during certain hours?
Absolutely. Most VoIP systems support time-based routing. Forward calls to SkipCalls after 5pm, on weekends, or during lunch. Traditional carriers support this too, but you'd need to manually activate/deactivate forwarding.
What happens if I forward calls but SkipCalls is down?
SkipCalls has 99.9% uptime with redundant systems. In the rare event of an issue, calls would continue ringing on your original line (if using no-answer forwarding) or go to your carrier's voicemail. We monitor 24/7 and have never had extended downtime.
Do I need a special SkipCalls number, or can I use my existing number?
You can forward your existing business number to SkipCalls - no need to change the number your customers already know. When you sign up, you'll get a SkipCalls number to forward to. Alternatively, you can port your number to SkipCalls directly.
Is call forwarding free?
Call forwarding itself is usually free or included in your phone plan. However, forwarded calls use your minutes (the call routes through your phone before reaching SkipCalls). Check with your carrier for specifics. The SkipCalls AI answering is a flat $99/year regardless of call volume.
Can I forward multiple phone lines to one SkipCalls account?
Yes. You can forward as many phone lines as you want to a single SkipCalls account. This is common for businesses with multiple locations or separate lines for sales, support, and general inquiries.
What if I want to answer some calls myself?
Use no-answer forwarding (*71 or similar). Your phone rings first, and only forwards to SkipCalls if you don't answer. You can also configure SkipCalls to transfer urgent calls directly to you while AI handles routine inquiries.
Ready to Start Forwarding Calls?
Download SkipCalls, get your forwarding number, and never miss another call. Setup takes under 2 minutes. $99/year flat rate.