How to forward calls from Aircall

There are many reasons you might want to forward calls from your Aircall number: maybe you’re using Upfirst’s AI answering service, heading out of the office, or just want to make sure you never miss an important call. This page will walk you through how to set up different types of call forwarding on Aircall, so you can stay connected wherever you are.

How to forward all calls from Aircall

Forwarding all calls from your Aircall number is useful if you want every incoming call to go directly to another phone number—like your cell, a team member, or a service like Upfirst. Here’s how to do it using the Aircall dashboard (web app):

1. Log in to your Aircall dashboard: Go to dashboard.aircall.io and sign in with your admin or user credentials.
2. Select the number to forward: On the left-hand menu, click “Numbers” and choose the Aircall number you want to forward.
3. Go to Call Distribution: In your number settings, find the “Call Distribution” or “Call Routing” section.
4. Add a new user or external number: Click “Add user or team,” then select “External Number.”
5. Enter the phone number: Type in the new phone number you want to forward calls to (make sure to include the country code if it’s international).
6. Set as first in line: Drag the external number to the top of the distribution list so it receives calls first.
7. Save your changes: Click “Save” or “Update” to apply the new call forwarding rules.

Now, all calls to your Aircall number will be sent to the number you specified.

How to forward only missed calls (conditional call forwarding) on Aircall

Conditional call forwarding means forwarding calls only if you don’t answer, if your line is busy, or after a certain number of rings. This way, you get a chance to answer first, but calls are automatically sent elsewhere if you’re unavailable.

To set up conditional call forwarding on Aircall:

1. Log in to your Aircall dashboard: Open dashboard.aircall.io and sign in.
2. Select the number: Click “Numbers” and choose the Aircall number you want to set up.
3. Navigate to Call Distribution or Call Routing: Go to the call handling section for that number.
4. Add an external number as fallback: In the “After missed call” or “No answer” section, add the external phone number you want to forward missed calls to (such as Upfirst, your mobile, or a colleague).
5. Set the ring time: Choose how long Aircall should ring your device before forwarding (for example, 15 seconds).
6. Save your changes: Click “Save” or “Update” to activate conditional forwarding.

Calls will now only be forwarded if you don’t answer within the chosen time.

How to turn off call forwarding on Aircall

If you want to stop forwarding calls to another number, you can easily turn off call forwarding in Aircall:

1. Log in to your Aircall dashboard: Go to dashboard.aircall.io and sign in.
2. Find the number with forwarding: Click “Numbers” and select the number you want to update.
3. Edit call distribution or routing: Go to the section where you added the external number.
4. Remove the external number: Click the delete (trash bin) icon next to the forwarded number, or drag it out of the call distribution list.
5. Save your changes: Click “Save” or “Update.”
6. Repeat for any conditional forwarding: If you set up conditional forwarding, make sure to clear the “after missed call” or fallback number as well.

Call forwarding will now be disabled, and calls will ring your Aircall app or device as usual.

FAQs about call forwarding on Aircall

Does Aircall charge for call forwarding?
Aircall charges the standard outbound call rates when forwarding calls to external phone numbers. That means you’ll pay per minute for calls forwarded to mobiles, landlines, or international numbers, according to your Aircall plan.

Can I forward calls internationally with Aircall?
Yes, you can forward calls from Aircall to international numbers. Just make sure to enter the full number with the country code, and be aware that international forwarding may incur higher per-minute rates.

Will my phone still ring when call forwarding is enabled?
If you set up call forwarding to another number as the first (or only) destination, your Aircall app or device will not ring. However, if you use conditional forwarding, your Aircall number will ring first, and only forward if unanswered.

Can I forward text messages too?
No, Aircall does not currently support forwarding SMS or text messages—only voice calls can be forwarded.

How is immediate forwarding different from conditional forwarding?
Immediate forwarding sends every call straight to the forwarded number, so your Aircall app won’t ring at all. Conditional forwarding only sends calls onward if you don’t answer within a set time, so you still have a chance to pick up first.

Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?
Aircall allows you to set up call routing to ring multiple users or external numbers in sequence or simultaneously, depending on your distribution settings. However, each forwarded call is treated as a separate outbound call for billing.

Never miss another important call—even when you can’t answer! Forward your Aircall number to Upfirst, the AI answering service that gives you a virtual receptionist 24/7. Upfirst can answer questions, collect caller info, and send you a quick summary by email or SMS. Try Upfirst free for 14 days and see how easy it is to stay connected, even when you’re away.