Call forwarding or an AI answering service?
Call forwarding sends a call to another number. An AI answering service answers it. How they differ, and how to use them together to catch missed calls.
The short answer
Call forwarding only moves the call to another number; somebody still has to answer there. An AI answering service is the somebody. They work together: forwarding sends the call, the agent answers it.
What call forwarding does
It is a setting with your carrier: calls go to another number always, when you are busy, when you do not answer, or when your phone is unreachable. It does not answer the call.
What an AI answering service does
It answers the call: it says it is your assistant, finds out what the caller needs, replies from what you have taught it and sends you a summary and a transcript.
Use them together
- Get your agent's number (Premium).
- Turn on forwarding for unanswered calls with your carrier, to that number.
- Missed calls are answered; calls you pick up ring as usual.
Questions
Do I need both? To answer the calls you miss on your own number, yes: forwarding with your carrier plus an agent to answer. Calls to your fone.me number or link need no forwarding.
Does forwarding cost extra? That depends on your carrier. Check before turning it on.
Can I ring my phone first? Yes. Say "ring my phone first" in the chat and confirm your phone; if you do not take the call, your agent answers.