Forwarding your existing number to Milo
Keep your printed business number — let Milo answer it via call forwarding.
You don't have to change your business number. Set up call forwarding on your existing number and Milo handles every call as if it were its own — callers are none the wiser.
Two options
There are two ways to forward calls to Milo, and they suit different situations:
Always-on forwarding routes every call — immediately, unconditionally — to Milo. Your existing phone will never ring. Best for businesses that want Milo to be the first and only point of contact.
Conditional forwarding only sends calls to Milo when you're busy, unanswered after a few rings, or your phone is off. Your phone rings first; Milo is the backup. Best for businesses where the owner still wants to take some calls personally.
Always-on forwarding
To enable unconditional forwarding, you dial a short code from your existing business phone. Once enabled, every call to your number goes straight to Milo without your phone ringing.
The forwarding number to use is your Milo number — find it on the Numbers page in your dashboard.
Conditional forwarding (only when you're busy)
Conditional forwarding activates Milo only when a call goes unanswered. Your phone rings as normal; if you don't pick up within a set number of rings (or if your line is busy), the call forwards to Milo automatically.
This is the most common setup for solo operators who still handle some calls directly.
Carrier-specific codes
These codes vary by carrier and country. The codes below are common examples — confirm the exact code with your carrier before relying on them. Using the wrong code may fail silently without any error message.
| Situation | Common code format |
|---|---|
| Always forward | **21*+[Milo number]# (then call) |
| Forward when busy | **67*+[Milo number]# |
| Forward when unanswered | **61*+[Milo number]# |
| Cancel all forwarding | ##21# |
Replace +[Milo number] with your full Milo number including country code (for example, +97144001234). Dial the code as if you were making a call — your phone should play a confirmation tone or show a status message.
For specific carrier instructions, search your carrier's name plus 'call forwarding setup' — most carriers have a step-by-step guide on their support site.
Verifying it works
After setting up forwarding, call your existing business number from a different phone. Milo should answer within two rings. If it doesn't:
- Double-check the forwarding code and the Milo number you entered.
- Confirm the Milo number is active (check the Numbers page in your dashboard).
- Call your Milo number directly to confirm Milo itself is answering correctly.
If everything looks correct but forwarding still isn't working, contact your carrier — some require forwarding to be enabled on the account level before the codes will work.
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