How to forward calls on Dialpad
Dialpad handles forwarding from the same app you make calls in. You can forward your personal line, a main office number, or only after-hours calls.
The quick version
In the Dialpad app or dialpad.com/app, go to Your Settings → Routing Options (or Office Settings for the main number), and add your forwarding destination.
Step-by-step: set up call forwarding in Dialpad
Alternative: Forward only outside business hours
Dialpad has a clean "Business Hours" feature. Set your business hours on your user profile, then set the after-hours routing to forward to your AI. During business hours the call rings Dialpad; after hours it goes straight to the AI.
Things worth knowing
- Dialpad's AI features (transcription, sentiment analysis) continue to work on forwarded calls up until the call leaves Dialpad. Once the external forward picks up, Dialpad is out of the picture.
- You can forward to any US number included on your Dialpad plan's outbound allowance.
- For Dialpad Support/Sell (the contact-center products), forwarding lives under Admin → Contact Centers → Queue Settings rather than the standard phone-number settings.
The whole reason you're reading this is probably to stop missing calls. If you're setting up call forwarding to send calls to a voice assistant, an answering service, or an AI, the steps above are the same — you just enter their number as the forward-to destination. Human Add AI gives you a dedicated AI receptionist that answers 24/7, captures every caller's intent, and texts you the details. Try it free for 7 days →
Troubleshooting
- Calls still ring the old way. Most VoIP systems take 30–60 seconds to apply forwarding changes. Wait and test again. If it still doesn't work, sign out and back in, or restart the desk phone.
- You saved the rule but don't see it. Dialpad usually applies rules to one specific number or extension. Make sure you're editing the right one — business accounts often have multiple numbers on the same login.
- Callers hear "number not in service." Double-check the destination number you entered. Dialpad often requires the full 10-digit US format, sometimes with a +1 prefix.
- You want some calls to stop forwarding. Most Dialpad plans support conditional rules (forward only after X rings, forward only from Y caller ID, etc.). Look for "Advanced" or "Rules" in the forwarding settings.