How to forward your business calls to an AI receptionist
You don’t need a new business number to use an AI receptionist. You forward the number you already have to the receptionist’s number, with a short code you dial from your phone. Callers keep dialing the same number; the receptionist answers.
Before you start
- The receptionist’s number. In Maurie AI it comes with your package: open AI Phone Receptionist and pick a number by area code or ZIP code.
- All calls or only missed calls. Forward all calls if you want the receptionist to answer first. Forward only unanswered calls if your team picks up first and the receptionist takes the rest.
- The phone that owns the number. You dial the code from that phone.
Step by step
- Copy the receptionist’s 10-digit number, area code included.
- On the phone that has your business number, dial the code for your carrier from the table below, followed by that number.
- Wait for the confirmation tone or message, then hang up.
- From a different phone, call your business number. If you forwarded only unanswered calls, let it ring. The receptionist should answer.
- To stop forwarding, dial the “turn off” code. Nothing changes in Maurie AI.
Forwarding codes by carrier
| Phone company | Forward all calls | Forward unanswered calls | Turn off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon (mobile) | *72 + 10-digit number | *71 + 10-digit number | *73 |
| Verizon (home phone and Fios) | *72 | *92 (busy or no answer) | *73 / *93 |
| AT&T (mobile) | **21* + number + # | **61* + number + # | ##21# / ##61# |
| T-Mobile | **21* + number + # | **61* + number + # | ##21# / ##61# |
| Other landlines and business lines | Usually *72 | Ask your provider | Usually *73 |
Sources: Verizon call forwarding FAQs, Verizon home phone star codes, AT&T call forwarding, T-Mobile call forwarding.
Things to know
- On Verizon mobile, call forwarding is on all plans. If you don’t have unlimited minutes, forwarded calls are billed by your plan, and a fee may apply on some older plans.
- Only calls are forwarded, not text messages.
- The number you forward to must be a 10-digit US number with its area code.
- If you use a business phone system (VoIP), forwarding is usually a setting in its admin portal rather than a dial code.
- Prefer not to forward? Put the receptionist’s number on your website and Google profile instead.
QUESTIONS
Common questions
Will my callers notice?
No. They dial your usual number and hear the greeting you chose.
Can my team still answer first?
Yes. Forward only unanswered calls, or keep all calls forwarded and choose “only the calls your team misses” in Maurie AI.
Can I undo it?
Yes, any time, with the turn-off code.