Conceptual model
Call forwarding preserves your existing public number (the one customers already know) while delivering audio to your AI business line (the Call 24/7 number that runs your agent). Customers dial the familiar number; their mobile or landline carrier forwards the call; the AI answers on your dedicated line.
Call 24/7 does not port your old number automatically when you enable forwarding. The divert happens entirely on your own phone or carrier — a one-time setting you configure yourself. The console records your intent and shows the setup guides; there is no charge.
Five-step overview
- Enter your existing public number: The regional number on Google and physical media, not the new AI line.
- Enable forwarding in Call 24/7: One click, free — just records the mode so the console can guide and track setup.
- Set the divert on your phone: Follow the iPhone or Android picture guide (or your carrier portal for landlines/PBX).
- Choose all-calls or missed-calls-only: Forward everything, or dial the “when busy / when unanswered” codes so the AI only catches calls you miss. Destination is always your AI line in full international format (+1, +44, +61, etc.).
- Test and confirm: Call your public number from another mobile; when the AI answers, mark setup complete in console.
Signal path diagram (logical)
Think of the path in three hops:
- Customer calls your existing business number.
- Carrier forwards the session to your AI line endpoint.
- AI answers using Agent Panel configuration (voice, script, menu).
Two-number discipline
Maintain mental separation between:
| Number role | Example label in UI | Who dials it |
|---|---|---|
| Public / customer-facing | Existing number customers call today | End customers from ads and signage |
| AI line | Forward to / agent_phone_e164 | Should receive forwarded traffic; can also be dialed directly |
Mixing these causes loops or wrong-number tests. Always test by dialing the public number after carrier changes.
Relationship to direct AI publishing
If you publish the AI line everywhere, forwarding adds little value. If you still display an old mobile on Google Business Profile, forwarding lets you adopt AI without losing that listing's number immediately.
Status panel copy
Intro text reminds you that the AI line is the Call 24/7 number for your region. Most businesses publish it directly. Enable forwarding only when customers already know a different number.