Setting Up Call Forwarding for Your AI Receptionist

Valid for IONOS AI Receptionist

This article explains how to configure delayed call forwarding on your mobile device. This ensures a seamless handover where your phone rings briefly (approx. 10 seconds) before the call is automatically transferred to your AI Receptionist.

How It Works

Incoming Call: Your phone rings twice (approx. 10 seconds).
Automatic Transfer: If you do not answer, the call is forwarded to the AI Agent.
Resolution: The AI Employee answers on the third ring and assists the caller.

Requirements

Before you begin, please ensure you have the following:

AI Receptionist Number: The specific phone number assigned to your AI assistant. You will need to enter this during the setup.
Compatible Mobile Plan: A mobile plan that supports call-forwarding via MMI codes (Man-Machine Interface).

Note

Most major carriers support MMI codes. However, steps may vary depending on whether your provider uses a GSM or CDMA network.

Configuration for GSM Networks

(e.g., T-Mobile, AT&T, Mint, US Mobile, Google Fi)

For most GSM networks, you can use standardized dial codes to control call forwarding.+

To set up the service, open your phone's dialer (keypad) and enter the codes below (then press the call button). Replace [ASSISTANT_NUMBER] with your actual AI Receptionist phone number.

Action	Dial Code	Example
Activate delayed forwarding (10 sec)	*61[ASSISTANT_NUMBER]**10# → Press Call	*61+15551234567**10# → Press Call
Disable delayed forwarding	##61# → Press Call	N/A
Check current status	*#61# → Press Call	N/A
Reset all forwarding settings	##002# → Press Call	N/A

Tip: You can adjust the delay time by changing the last two digits of the code. Valid options are 5, 10, or 15 seconds.

Configuration for Verizon (CDMA)

Verizon does not support the standard delayed forwarding dial codes used by GSM networks. Please choose one of the following options.

Option A: Immediate Forwarding (Dial Code)

This method forwards calls instantly; your phone will not ring.

Action	Dial Code	Example
Activate	*72[ASSISTANT_NUMBER] → Press Call	*72+15551234567 → Press Call
Disable	*73 → Press Call	N/A

Option B: Delayed Forwarding (My Verizon)

To enable the "ring then forward" feature, you must configure it through your Verizon account settings.

Log in to your My Verizon account.
Navigate to the Call Forwarding section.
Configure the setting to forward calls to your AI Receptionist number if there is no answer after 10 seconds.

Note

If you cannot find this setting, please contact Verizon support at +1 (800) 922-0204.

Testing Your Setup

Once you have entered the codes or updated your settings, we recommend testing the configuration:

Call your mobile number from a different phone.
Allow the call to ring twice.
Confirm that the AI Receptionist picks up on thethird ring.

If the AI Receptionist does not answer:

Check the Number: Verify that you entered the correct AI Receptionist phone number.
Check the Delay: Ensure the delay is set to 10s.
Verify Activation: Dial *#61# (for GSM) to see if forwarding is currently active.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, please refer to the solutions below.

Symptom	Possible Cause	Solution
Calls never forward	Forwarding is not activated.	Re-enter the activation dial code and press Call.
Forwarding is instant (no rings)	Immediate forwarding was used instead of "Delayed."	Deactivate forwarding (##61# or *73) and re-configure using the delayed forwarding steps.
Error: "Connection problem or invalid MMI code"	Carrier does not support MMI codes.	Configure call forwarding directly via your carrier's mobile app or web portal.