How do you forward your business calls to an AI receptionist?
Set up call diversion on your business line so calls go to your AI receptionist’s number: on most mobiles, **61* followed by the number and # diverts the calls you don’t answer, and **21* diverts every call. Customers keep calling the same number, and you can cancel the diversion at any time with ##002#.
The standard divert codes
These are the standard GSM codes that most mobiles and networks accept. Replace “number” with your AI receptionist’s number, then press call.
| When the call is diverted | To switch on | To switch off |
|---|---|---|
| Every call | **21*number# | ##21# |
| When you don’t answer | **61*number# | ##61# |
| When your phone is off or has no signal | **62*number# | ##62# |
| When you’re on another call | **67*number# | ##67# |
| The three above at once | **004*number# | ##004# |
| Every diversion | Use the codes above | ##002# |
To check which diversions are on: *#21#, *#61#, *#62# or *#67#.
##21# erases a diversion; #21# switches it off but keeps the number saved. The same works for 61, 62 and 67.
On many networks you can choose how long your phone rings before an unanswered call is diverted, by adding the seconds to the code: for example, **61*number**20# for 20 seconds, usually in steps of 5 up to 30.
Networks, landlines and phone systems
Each provider can have its own steps. Before you start, check your provider’s help pages or ask them.
Mobile
BT, EE, O2 and Vodafone may have their own steps and, depending on your plan, charge for diverted calls. Your network’s help pages or app usually explain how.
Landline
On many landlines, call diversion is a feature of the line: sometimes with codes like the mobile ones, sometimes from your online account. Ask your provider which diversions your line has.
Cloud phone system
Cloud phone systems usually have forwarding rules in their web portal: when busy, when unanswered or outside your hours. Point those rules at your Zatio number.
Test it
With the diversion on, ring your business number from another phone and let it go unanswered. Your AI receptionist should pick up.
When Zatio answers: your team first
There are two ways to let your team answer first and have Zatio pick up the calls they can’t take.
Option 1: divert only unanswered calls
Use **61*, **62* and **67* (or **004*) on your mobile. Your phone rings as usual, and the calls you can’t take go to Zatio.
Option 2: send every call to Zatio
Divert every call (**21*) and switch on “When Zatio answers” in your dashboard. During your hours your team’s phone rings first, for 10 to 40 seconds, and if nobody picks up or the line is busy, Zatio answers. Out of hours it answers straight away.
A separate phone for your team
With option 2, set your team’s phone to a line that isn’t itself diverted to Zatio, so the call can ring there first.
Included in all 3 plans
By default Zatio answers every call. With “When Zatio answers” you choose its hours.
How Zatio does it
You keep your number
You forward calls to your Zatio number and customers keep calling the one they know. Your Zatio number arrives when your plan starts.
Answers, books and hands over
It answers with your business’s information, books into Microsoft Bookings, Calendly or Cal.com, transfers the call to your team when it should and leaves a summary of every call.
Price
From £69 a month excluding VAT, with 400 voice minutes, plus WhatsApp and website chat.
Questions
What code do I dial to forward calls to an AI receptionist?
On most mobiles, **21*number# diverts every call and ##21# cancels it; **61*, **62* and **67* divert only the calls you don’t answer, when you have no signal or when you’re busy. Networks differ, so check the exact steps with your provider.
Can my phone ring first before the AI answers?
Yes. With conditional diversion (**61*, **62* and **67*) your phone rings first. And with “When Zatio answers”, during your hours your team’s phone rings first for 10 to 40 seconds, and if nobody picks up, Zatio answers.
How do I turn call diversion off?
On most mobiles, ##002# cancels every diversion at once; ##21#, ##61#, ##62# or ##67# cancel just one. On a landline or phone system, follow your provider’s steps or its online portal.
Do I keep my business number?
Yes. Customers keep calling the number they know: diversion only changes where the calls go. Your Zatio number arrives when your plan starts.
Will my provider charge for diverted calls?
It depends on your plan: some include call diversion and others charge for the diverted part of the call. Ask your provider before you switch it on.
Does Zatio answer straight away out of hours?
Yes. With “When Zatio answers”, outside the hours you set it answers straight away, at any time. It’s included in all 3 plans.
Zatio in your industry
How Zatio works in each industry: what it asks, what it books and what it passes to your team.
Hear how Zatio would answer your phone
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