Do I have to change my public business number?

No. Keep the number customers know and forward selected calls to your HaymioAI number.

Where can I find carrier forwarding codes?

Confirm with your carrier’s official documentation. HaymioAI’s FAQ also includes a practical starter table for common U.S. carriers under “How do I forward calls to my AI number?”

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November 11, 2026

How to Forward Your Business Calls to an AI Assistant

Forward missed or all business calls to an AI assistant while keeping your public number—plus iPhone, Android, and carrier testing tips.

Keep the number customers already know

Want an AI assistant to answer business calls without giving up your existing phone number?

Call forwarding may be the simplest approach.

Customers continue dialing the number they already know, while your phone provider directs selected calls to your AI assistant.

There are two common ways to configure this.

Option 1: Forward only missed calls

This option works well if you prefer answering customers yourself.

Your business phone rings first.

If you don't answer, your carrier can forward the call to your AI assistant, provided conditional forwarding is supported and enabled.

Call flow: Customer calls → Your business phone rings → AI answers if you don’t pick up.

This can be useful for solo business owners, small teams, and businesses that need extra coverage during busy periods.

Depending on your carrier, forwarding may also be available when your line is busy or unreachable.

Option 2: Forward all calls

With this setup, your AI assistant answers incoming calls first.

Call flow: Customer calls → AI assistant answers → Transfers to a person when needed.

This can work for businesses receiving many repetitive questions.

If live transfers are enabled, make sure the transfer destination doesn't forward the call back to the AI. Otherwise, a forwarding loop can occur.

How do you configure call forwarding?

The exact steps depend on your phone carrier and device.

iPhone

On supported carriers, go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding (menu labels can vary by iOS version).

Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the forwarding number.

The available settings vary by carrier, region, and iOS version.

Android

Many Android phones provide call-forwarding settings through the Phone app.

Look under Settings → Calling accounts or Call settings → Call forwarding.

The exact menu depends on your device and mobile carrier.

Missed-call forwarding

Conditional forwarding often requires a carrier-specific code or configuration.

For example, Verizon Wireless documents *71 followed by the forwarding number for busy or unanswered calls, while T-Mobile supports separate conditional forwarding codes.

Always verify the instructions with your carrier before changing business call routing. Codes and menus can change.

For a practical starter table, see our FAQ on forwarding calls to your AI number.

Test your forwarding configuration

After enabling forwarding:

Call your business number from another phone.
Confirm the call reaches the expected destination.
Test missed-call behavior if you've selected conditional forwarding.
Test a live transfer, if enabled.
Verify that disabling forwarding restores your expected phone behavior.

Carrier fees

Remember that your existing carrier may charge for forwarded calls, depending on your plan.

What happens when you cancel an AI answering service?

Before your AI phone number is released, disable forwarding from your existing business phone.

Otherwise, calls may continue attempting to reach an inactive number.

It's important to understand your provider's cancellation and number-release policies.

Setting up HaymioAI

HaymioAI provides a dedicated AI phone number with an active subscription.

You can share that number directly with customers or forward business calls to it.

The AI answers questions using your business information, takes messages, and sends email summaries.

HaymioAI costs $20/month for 100 AI call minutes.