Phone setup
Divert your number to FrontDesk AI
You usually do not need a new number. Keep the number customers already know, then forward missed, busy, or after-hours calls to FrontDesk AI so the calls that used to hit voicemail get answered.
“Divert” and “call forwarding” mean the same thing. Your carrier sends selected calls from your existing number to the FrontDesk AI number we give you.
Most tradies should start with missed-call forwarding.
Your phone still rings first. If you cannot answer, FrontDesk AI picks up, gets the job details, and sends the lead to you. Once you trust the flow, add busy and unreachable forwarding for stronger coverage.
Choose what to divert
Missed calls
Best starting point. Your phone rings first; FrontDesk AI answers if you do not pick up.
Busy calls
Useful when you are already on the phone or reception is tied up.
Unreachable
Catches calls when your phone is off, flat, out of coverage, or has no signal.
All calls
Use carefully. Every call goes to FrontDesk AI first, which is a bigger workflow change.
Before you start
- Your current mobile or landline number
- The FrontDesk AI forwarding number we provide during setup
- A second phone to place a test call — do not test by calling your own phone from itself
- A decision on what should divert first: missed calls, busy calls, unreachable calls, or all calls
Australian mobile carrier codes
Replace [FrontDesk AI number] with the forwarding number we give you during setup. Type the full code into your normal phone dialler and press call. Do not type the square brackets. If a code fails, try the carrier app or contact support and ask them to set no-answer forwarding to your FrontDesk AI number.
Example: if we give you 0398765432, Vodafone no-answer forwarding would be **61*0398765432#. Telstra and Optus add extra suffixes, shown below.
Telstra mobile
Telstra lists forwarding codes 21, 61, 62, and 67. Their mobile setup pattern includes the forwarding code, the full destination number, and a service suffix.
**21*[FrontDesk AI number]*10###21#*#21#**61*[FrontDesk AI number]*10###61#*#61#**67*[FrontDesk AI number]*10###67#*#67#**62*[FrontDesk AI number]*10###62#*#62#Telstra says manual dial-pad codes are the most reliable way to update forwarding. If a code fails, use the My Telstra app or ask Telstra support to set no-answer forwarding to your FrontDesk AI number.
Official Telstra mobile instructionsOptus mobile
Optus uses the same condition codes, but its setup pattern includes a ring-time value for diversions such as no answer.
**21*[FrontDesk AI number]###21##21#**61*[FrontDesk AI number]**30###61##61#**67*[FrontDesk AI number]###67##67#**62*[FrontDesk AI number]###62##62#Optus says no-answer ring time can be set in 5-second steps up to 30 seconds. Use 30 seconds to give yourself the longest chance to answer before AI picks up.
Official Optus mobile instructionsVodafone mobile
Vodafone publishes GSM codes for all calls, no answer, unreachable, and busy forwarding.
**21*[FrontDesk AI number]##21#*#21#**61*[FrontDesk AI number]##61#*#61#**62*[FrontDesk AI number]##62#*#62#**67*[FrontDesk AI number]##67#*#67#Vodafone says prepaid can forward to voicemail or Call Catcher only, while plan customers can forward to standard Australian mobile and landline numbers.
Official Vodafone mobile instructionsOther Australian mobile providers
Smaller mobile providers usually run on Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone networks, but support for forwarding to another number can vary by plan. If the code fails, use your carrier app or support chat and ask them to set no-answer, busy, or unreachable forwarding to the FrontDesk AI number.
Boost Mobile, Belong, Woolworths Mobile
usually Telstra network codes
Amaysim, Moose Mobile, Dodo Mobile
usually Optus network codes
TPG, iiNet, Lebara, Felix
usually Vodafone network codes
iPhone and Android settings
iPhone
- Open Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding.
- Turn Call Forwarding on.
- Tap Forward To and enter the FrontDesk AI number.
This usually turns on all-call forwarding only. Use carrier dial codes for missed, busy, or unreachable forwarding.
Android
- Open Phone app → menu → Settings → Call settings → Call forwarding.
- Choose Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered, or Forward when unreachable.
- Enter the FrontDesk AI number and tap Enable or Turn on.
Samsung, Pixel, and other Android phones label menus differently. Search Settings for “Call forwarding” if you cannot find it.
Landline, office phone, or VoIP
Telstra landline
Immediate/all calls: dial *21, key the FrontDesk AI number, then press #. No answer: dial *61, key the number, then press #. Busy: dial *24, key the number, then press #.
Optus landline
All calls often uses *72[FrontDesk AI number]. To cancel, dial *73. Confirm with Optus if your landline plan differs.
VoIP / PBX
In systems like 8x8, RingCentral, 3CX, or Vonage, add the FrontDesk AI number as the forwarding destination under call routing rules. For receptionist backup, forward after 4–5 rings.
How to test it
- 1. Ask someone else to call your number. Some carriers do not forward a call from your own phone back to itself.
- 2. For missed-call forwarding, do not answer. Let it ring. After roughly 15–30 seconds, the call should reach FrontDesk AI.
- 3. For busy forwarding, keep your line busy. Call another phone, then ask the test caller to ring your number.
- 4. Check the lead arrived. You should receive the job details by SMS and email with name, number, job type, suburb, and urgency.
Troubleshooting
The code gives an error tone
Check the number has no spaces, dashes, or +61 country code. Use the full Australian number we provide. Prepaid plans may need active credit. If the dial code fails, try the carrier app or call carrier support.
Calls still go to voicemail
Voicemail may be answering before forwarding kicks in. You may need to disable voicemail or extend ring time to around 30 seconds so forwarding wins the race.
There is a delay before FrontDesk AI answers
That is normal for missed-call forwarding: the phone rings you first, then redirects. If the wait feels too long, shorten the ring time or use all-call forwarding for after-hours.
Forwarded calls might cost extra
Most Australian plans treat forwarding to local/national numbers as standard calls, but older or prepaid plans can differ. Check your carrier if you are unsure.