Phone number and call forwarding
How calls reach the AI receptionist — a new number, or the business's existing number with carrier call forwarding codes, including codes to turn forwarding off.
Every OrangeChat business gets its own AI phone number (a local US or Canadian number). Calls reach the AI in one of two ways:
- Use the AI number directly. Put the new number on the website and listings.
- Keep the existing business number and forward calls from it to the AI number with a carrier dial code. No hardware or new phone line is needed.
In the codes below, replace AINUMBER with the AI number's 10 digits (for example 6045550123) and +AINUMBER with the full international form (for example +16045550123). The dashboard shows each code already filled in.
Landline: ring first, the AI takes missed and busy calls
Staff answer as usual; the AI answers only when nobody picks up or the line is busy. Dial both codes on the business line:
| Code | Forwards when | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
*92AINUMBER | nobody answers | *93 |
*90AINUMBER | the line is busy | *91 |
If missed calls end up in voicemail instead of with the AI, ask the carrier to shorten the no-answer ring time or turn off voicemail on that line. The AI can only answer if the call forwards before voicemail picks up.
Mobile: you answer first, the AI takes the calls you miss
AT&T, T-Mobile, and most Canadian carriers:
| Code | Forwards when | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
**61*+AINUMBER*11*20# | you don't answer within 20 seconds (use 5, 10, 15, 25, or 30 instead of 20 to change the delay) | ##61# |
**67*+AINUMBER# | you're on another call | ##67# |
**62*+AINUMBER# | the phone is off or out of coverage | ##62# |
Verizon uses *71AINUMBER instead (no answer and busy; turn off with *73).
Check what's active without changing anything: *#61#, *#67#, or *#62#. ##002# clears all forwarding.
Note: the iPhone Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding switch forwards every call. Use the dial codes above to keep your phone ringing first.
Forward every call to the AI
Your own phone won't ring; the AI takes 100% of calls. Dial *72AINUMBER from the business line. Turn off with *73.
VoIP and business phone systems
Systems such as RingCentral set call forwarding in their admin portal instead of with dial codes. Forward to the AI number there.
Test it
Call the business number from a different phone. With ring-first forwarding, let it ring out; the AI should pick up.