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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.closethecall.com/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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What is call forwarding?

Call forwarding sends calls from your existing phone number to your AI receptionist when you do not answer (or always). This means you can keep your current number — customers dial the same number they always have, and the AI picks up when you are busy.
The easiest setup is “forward when unanswered.” Your phone rings for 15 to 20 seconds, and if you do not pick up, the call goes to your AI receptionist. You never miss a call again.

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How call forwarding works

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Before you start

You will need:
  1. Your AI phone number — find it on the Phone page in your dashboard
  2. Your mobile phone — to dial the forwarding codes
  3. 2 minutes — that is all it takes

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Forward types

Most carriers support three types of forwarding:
TypeWhen it forwardsBest for
When unansweredAfter your phone rings for 15-20 secondsMost businesses — you try to answer first, AI catches what you miss
All callsEvery call goes straight to AIWhen you are on holiday, in meetings, or want AI to handle everything
When busyOnly when you are already on another callBusinesses that get lots of simultaneous calls
We recommend “when unanswered” for most businesses. This gives you the chance to answer personally, with the AI as your safety net.

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UK carriers

Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.Replace [AI number] with your full AI phone number including the leading 0 (e.g. 07XXX XXXXXX or 0161 XXX XXXX).
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial *61*[AI number]# from your BT landline.Forward all calls: Dial *21*[AI number]# from your BT landline.Cancel all forwarding: Dial #21# from your BT landline.Note: BT landline uses single * instead of double **.
Forward when unanswered: Dial *61*[AI number]# from your TalkTalk landline.Forward all calls: Dial *21*[AI number]# from your TalkTalk landline.Cancel all forwarding: Dial #21# from your TalkTalk landline.

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US carriers

Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*1[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*1[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##21# and press call.Use the full 10-digit AI number with 1 prefix (e.g. 12125551234).
Forward when unanswered: Dial *61*1[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial *21*1[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial #21# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial *71[AI number] and press call. Wait for confirmation tone.Forward all calls: Dial *72[AI number] and press call. Wait for confirmation tone.Cancel all forwarding: Dial *73 and press call.Note: Verizon uses different codes from most other carriers.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*1[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*1[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##21# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*1[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*1[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##21# and press call.Mint uses the T-Mobile network, so the same codes apply.
Forward when unanswered: Dial *92[AI number] and press call.Forward all calls: Dial *72[AI number] and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial *720 and press call.

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Australian carriers

Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.
Forward when unanswered: Dial **61*[AI number]# and press call.Forward all calls: Dial **21*[AI number]# and press call.Cancel all forwarding: Dial ##002# and press call.

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In-app instructions with exact dial codes

Your dashboard has personalised instructions with your AI number already filled in — no need to type it yourself.
1

Go to Phone

Click Phone in the left sidebar.
2

Scroll to Call Forwarding

Scroll down to the Call Forwarding section. You will see carrier cards for your country.
3

Click your carrier

Click the card for your phone carrier. It expands to show step-by-step instructions with your AI number pre-filled in the dial codes.
4

Copy and dial

Click the Copy button next to any dial code to copy it to your clipboard, then paste it into your phone’s dialler.
Some carriers charge a small fee for call forwarding. Check with your carrier before enabling. Most UK and US carriers include it for free on contract plans, but pay-as-you-go plans may charge per forwarded minute.

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Testing that forwarding works

After setting up forwarding:
  1. Call your existing business number from a different phone
  2. Let it ring without answering (for “unanswered” forwarding)
  3. Your AI receptionist should pick up after 15-20 seconds
  4. If it does not work, try the cancel code first, then re-enter the forwarding code
If forwarding does not activate, your carrier may require you to enable it through their app or by calling customer service. This is common with some business phone plans.

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Frequently asked questions

First, try the cancel code to clear any existing forwarding, then re-enter the forwarding code. If it still does not work, some carriers require you to enable call forwarding through their app or by calling customer service. Business phone plans sometimes have forwarding locked by default — contact your carrier to unlock it.
Standard carrier forwarding only supports one destination number. Set your AI number as the forwarding target. If you want calls to ring multiple people before the AI picks up, use the Rings You First routing mode — it rings your phone first, then the AI catches what you miss.
Most UK and US carriers include call forwarding for free on monthly contract plans. Pay-as-you-go and some budget carriers may charge a per-minute fee for forwarded calls — check with your carrier. The forwarded call is charged as if you were making a call to the AI number from your phone.
Call your business number from a different phone (borrow a friend’s). Let it ring without answering. After 15-20 seconds, your AI receptionist should pick up. If you hear your carrier’s voicemail instead of the AI, the forwarding is not active — try the setup codes again or contact your carrier.

Set up forwarding now

Open the Phone page to see personalised dial codes with your AI number pre-filled.