How VoIP forwarding differs from mobile forwarding
On a mobile line, you dial a code such as *71 on Verizon to forward unanswered calls; our carrier forwarding codes guide covers those. VoIP and virtual phone systems handle it in software instead, and usually offer more control:
- Ring order: ring several phones at once, or one after another
- Missed-call handling: what happens when nobody answers — voicemail, a message, or forwarding to another number
- Schedules: different rules for business hours and after hours
The key question for any business is the same: can you forward only the calls nobody answers, so your team still picks up when they can?
Google Voice
Google Voice forwards calls by ringing linked numbers alongside your other devices. According to Google’s help pages:
- Add a linked number in Google Voice under Settings → Account → Linked numbers → New linked number.
- Every linked number must be verified with a code, sent by text message to a mobile or by a phone call to a landline. That means you need access to the destination number to receive the code.
- You can link up to 6 numbers, and you can turn forwarding on or off for each one.
- A number already linked to another Google Voice number can’t be linked again.
- Custom forwarding rules let you send calls from particular contacts or groups to particular linked numbers.
The catch: forwarding only unanswered calls
Linked numbers ring along with your devices, so a linked number can pick up a call before you do. Google’s help pages don’t describe a setting that forwards only unanswered calls. If that’s what you need, a common workaround is to have Google Voice ring your mobile, then set conditional forwarding with your mobile carrier so unanswered calls move on. Because that chains two services together, test it carefully with real calls before relying on it.
Sources: Set up your phone to make & receive Google Voice calls and Use custom call forwarding with Google Voice.
RingCentral
RingCentral handles forwarding through call-handling rules in the RingCentral app:
- Open Settings → Phone, scroll to Call handling and click Edit.
- Choose whether your forwarding phones ring in order (one at a time) or ring all at once.
- Under missed-call handling, choose what happens when nobody answers: send to voicemail, play a message and disconnect, forward to an extension, or forward to an external number.
- Set work hours and after hours separately if you want different behavior at night and on weekends.
“Forward to external number” for missed calls is the setting that sends only unanswered calls onward — for example to an answering service or an AI receptionist — while your team still gets the first chance to pick up.
Source: Setting up user call forwarding in the RingCentral app.
Grasshopper
In Grasshopper, incoming calls are routed to extensions, and each extension has its own forwarding settings. Grasshopper’s support pages describe forwarding an extension to one or more phone numbers, setting schedules for when each number is used, and sending calls to voicemail when no forwarding numbers are set or all of them are turned off. The admin portal layout has changed over time, so follow the steps for the version you see.
Sources: Forward incoming calls for an extension and Set up a call forwarding schedule for an extension.
Any other VoIP system: what to look for
Most business phone systems have the same building blocks under different names. Look for:
| Setting | Often called | What you want |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to unanswered calls | Missed-call handling, no-answer rule, failover | Forward to an external number instead of voicemail |
| How long before a call counts as missed | Ring time, timeout, number of rings | Long enough for your team to answer, short enough that callers don’t hang up |
| Which phones ring first | Ring order, ring group, hunt group | Your team first, then the forwarding number |
| Different rules by time | Business hours, schedules, after hours | Forward everything after hours if nobody is on the phones |
If you can’t find a missed-call forwarding option, ask your provider’s support team specifically for “forward unanswered calls to an external number.”
Testing your setup
- Call your business number from a phone that isn’t on your system and let it ring out.
- Confirm it reaches the forwarding number, not voicemail.
- Answer a test call on your own phone to make sure your team still gets the first chance.
- Repeat outside business hours if you set an after-hours schedule.
- Check what caller ID the forwarding destination sees, so callbacks go to the right person.
This is the same routing Voxenara customers use to keep their existing number. We confirm the details with your phone provider during setup — see how setup works, or compare options in AI receptionist vs. answering service.
Frequently asked questions
Can Google Voice forward only unanswered calls?
Google Voice's help pages describe linked numbers that ring along with your other devices, not a setting that forwards only unanswered calls. If you need unanswered-only forwarding, a common approach is to have Google Voice ring your mobile and set conditional forwarding with your mobile carrier, then test it end to end.
How many numbers can I link to Google Voice?
Google's help page says you can link up to 6 numbers. Each one has to be verified with a code sent by text message (mobiles) or a phone call (landlines), and a number already linked to another Google Voice number can't be linked again.
How do I forward missed calls in RingCentral?
In the RingCentral app, go to Settings, then Phone, then Call handling, and click Edit. Missed-call handling includes options to send calls to voicemail, play a message, forward to an extension, or forward to an external number. Work hours and after hours can be set up separately.
Is VoIP call forwarding different from carrier forwarding codes?
Yes. Mobile carriers use dial codes such as *71 on Verizon. Most VoIP and virtual phone systems set forwarding in a web portal or app instead, and often add options such as ring order, schedules and what happens to missed calls.