How to Forward Calls to AI: A Complete Setup Guide

Keep Your Number, Add AI

One of the most common questions we hear from business owners is: "I already have a business number that my customers know. Do I need to change it to use AI?"

No. You can forward your existing business phone number to an AI agent and have it answer calls automatically. You don't need to change your number, disrupt your service, or confuse your customers.

This guide covers exactly how to forward calls to AI, step by step, for every major phone system and carrier.

How Call Forwarding to AI Works

The concept is simple:

1. You set up an AI phone agent (like OnCallClerk) and receive an AI agent phone number
2. You configure call forwarding on your existing phone so that calls redirect to the AI number
3. When someone dials your business number, the call forwards to AI, which answers automatically
4. The AI handles the call, then sends you a summary via SMS or email

From the caller's perspective, nothing changes. They dial the same number they always have. The difference is that now, every call gets answered instantly and professionally.

Call Forwarding Options

There are several ways to forward calls to AI, depending on how you want it to work:

Unconditional Forward (All Calls)

Every incoming call goes straight to AI. Best for businesses that want full AI phone coverage: after-hours services, solo operators on the job, or businesses ready to go fully automated.

No-Answer Forward

Calls forward to AI only if you don't pick up within a set number of rings (typically 3-5). Best for businesses that want to answer personally when available but never miss a call when unavailable.

Busy Forward

Calls forward to AI when your line is engaged. Best for businesses that receive concurrent calls but only have one phone line.

Conditional Forward

Combine the above: forward on no-answer AND busy. This is the most popular option because it covers both scenarios: you're unavailable, or you're on another call.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding (By Phone Type)

iPhone

1. Open Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding
2. Toggle on Call Forwarding
3. Enter your AI agent's phone number
4. Done. All calls now forward to AI

For conditional forwarding (no-answer/busy), you'll need to use divert codes:

• Forward on no answer: Dial 61*[AI number]#** then press call
• Forward when busy: Dial 67*[AI number]#** then press call
• Forward when unreachable: Dial 62*[AI number]#** then press call

Android

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the three dots menu > Settings > Calls > Call Forwarding
3. Choose Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered, or Forward when unreachable
4. Enter your AI agent's phone number
5. Tap Enable or Turn on

Landline (BT, Virgin Media, Sky)

Most UK landlines support call diversion:

• BT: Dial *21*[AI number]# for unconditional, *61*[AI number]# for no-answer
• Virgin Media: Dial *21*[AI number]# for all calls
• Sky: Use the Sky app or dial *21*[AI number]#

Note: Landline call forwarding may incur per-minute charges from your provider. Check your plan.

VoIP Systems (RingCentral, 8x8, Vonage, 3CX)

VoIP systems offer the most flexible forwarding options:

1. Log into your VoIP admin portal
2. Navigate to Call Handling or Call Routing rules
3. Add a new forwarding rule pointing to your AI agent's number
4. Configure conditions (time-based, no-answer, overflow)
5. Save and test

Most VoIP systems also support simultaneous ring, where your phone and the AI number both ring and whoever picks up first handles the call.

Virtual Numbers (Google Voice, etc.)

1. Open your virtual number's settings
2. Navigate to Calls > Call Forwarding
3. Add your AI agent's number as a forwarding destination
4. Configure behaviour (immediate, on no-answer, etc.)

How to Answer Calls Automatically with AI

Once forwarding is set up, the AI answers calls automatically. But here's how to make sure it works perfectly:

Configure Your AI Agent First

Before forwarding calls, make sure your AI agent is properly set up:

• Business name and greeting are correct
• Services, hours, and pricing information are added
• Common FAQs are configured
• Notification preferences are set (email, SMS, or both)
• Emergency/urgent call transfer rules are defined

Test Before Going Live

1. Set up forwarding to AI
2. Call your business number from a different phone
3. Let it ring through to the AI (or don't answer, depending on your forwarding type)
4. Have a full conversation with the AI as if you were a customer
5. Check that you receive the expected notification/summary
6. Review the call transcript for accuracy

Set Up Notifications

Configure how you want to be notified when the AI handles a call:

• Instant SMS: get a text summary the moment a call ends (best for lead capture)
• Email summary: get a detailed email with transcript and caller details
• Dashboard alerts: review all calls in your OnCallClerk dashboard
• Urgent call transfer: have critical calls forwarded to your mobile immediately

Advanced: Time-Based Forwarding

For businesses that want AI to handle after-hours calls only, set up time-based forwarding:

Using VoIP Systems

Most VoIP platforms let you create schedules:

• Business hours (9 AM - 5 PM): calls ring your office phones
• After hours / weekends / holidays: calls automatically forward to AI

Using Your Carrier

Some mobile carriers support time-based diversion. Contact your provider to see if this is available, or use a VoIP system as your front-end to gain this flexibility.

Using OnCallClerk

OnCallClerk can be configured to handle all your calls and only send immediate notifications during business hours while still capturing every after-hours call for morning follow-up.

Common Issues and Fixes

"Forwarding isn't working"

• Double-check the AI number is entered correctly (include country code if needed)
• Ensure your carrier supports the type of forwarding you've configured
• Try unconditional forwarding first to confirm the connection works, then switch to conditional

"There's a delay before AI answers"

• This is normal with conditional forwarding. The call rings your phone first, then forwards after the set delay.
• Reduce the number of rings before forwarding (3 rings = ~15 seconds)
• For instant AI answering, use unconditional forwarding

"Callers hear my voicemail before AI"

• Your voicemail is picking up before the forward activates
• Increase the number of rings before voicemail, or disable voicemail and rely on AI instead
• Most carriers let you adjust voicemail delay via settings or divert codes

Next Steps

Once your calls are forwarding to AI, you're live. Every call gets answered, every lead gets captured, and every caller gets a professional experience.

To get started:

1. Sign up for OnCallClerk and get your AI agent number
2. Follow the forwarding instructions above for your phone type
3. Test with a few calls
4. You're covered

It takes less than 15 minutes to go from missing calls to having a 24/7 AI phone answering service. Start today.

Keep Reading

• How to Hire an AI Receptionist - What to look for when choosing an AI receptionist platform.
• The Real Cost Savings of AI Receptionists - See the full financial picture of switching to AI phone answering.
• Set Up an AI Phone Agent in 10 Minutes - A walkthrough of the complete setup process.

Explore our virtual receptionist and Call Clerk features, or see how AI call forwarding works for solicitors, dentists, and electricians.