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Overview

Call forwarding lets you redirect incoming calls from your existing phone number to your Tala number. Instead of giving customers a new number, they keep calling the number they already know, and your Tala voice agent picks up. Since Tala provides French +33 numbers, forwarding from any French operator works without international call charges.

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Forwarding Types

There are three main types of call forwarding. Choose the one that fits your use case:
For most Tala users, No Reply (CFNRy) is the best option. It lets you answer calls when you’re available, and forwards unanswered calls to your Tala agent after a few rings.

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Setup by Operator (France)

The instructions below cover French mobile and landline operators. Call forwarding uses standard GSM codes that you dial from your phone’s keypad. Replace +33XXXXXXXXX with your Tala phone number (found in Settings > Phone Numbers).

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Orange

1

Activate forwarding

Dial the code on your phone and press the call button:
  • All calls: *21*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • No reply: *61*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • Busy: *67*+33XXXXXXXXX#
You’ll hear a confirmation tone or see a message on screen.
2

Alternative: Orange et Moi app

Open the Orange et Moi app > My services > Call forwarding. Enter your Tala number and select the forwarding type.
3

Deactivate

  • All calls: ##21#
  • No reply: ##61#
  • Busy: ##67#
  • All types at once: ##002#

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SFR

1

Activate forwarding

Dial the code on your phone and press the call button:
  • All calls: *21*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • No reply: *61*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • Busy: *67*+33XXXXXXXXX#
2

Alternative: SFR Espace Client

Log into your SFR account at sfr.fr > My services > Call forwarding. Enter your Tala number.
3

Deactivate

  • All calls: ##21#
  • No reply: ##61#
  • Busy: ##67#
  • All types at once: ##002#

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Free Mobile

1

Enable in your account (if needed)

Some Free Mobile plans require enabling call forwarding first. Go to your Espace Abonne at free.fr > My Services > Call forwarding and make sure it’s enabled.
2

Activate forwarding

Dial the code on your phone and press the call button:
  • All calls: *21*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • No reply: *61*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • Busy: *67*+33XXXXXXXXX#
3

Deactivate

  • All calls: ##21#
  • No reply: ##61#
  • Busy: ##67#
  • All types at once: ##002#

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Bouygues Telecom

1

Activate forwarding

Dial the code on your phone and press the call button:
  • All calls: *21*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • No reply: *61*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • Busy: *67*+33XXXXXXXXX#
2

Alternative: Espace Client Bouygues

Log into your account at bouyguestelecom.fr > My line > Call forwarding. Enter your Tala number.
3

Deactivate

  • All calls: ##21#
  • No reply: ##61#
  • Busy: ##67#
  • All types at once: ##002#

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MVNOs (Sosh, RED by SFR, B&You)

Virtual operators use the same network as their parent company. The USSD codes above work identically:
  • Sosh uses Orange codes
  • RED by SFR uses SFR codes
  • B&You uses Bouygues codes

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Landline (Freebox)

Freebox landlines don’t use mobile USSD codes. There are two methods:
1

Option A: From your Freebox handset

Pick up your Freebox phone and dial:
  • Activate: *21*+33XXXXXXXXX#
  • Deactivate: #21#
  • Check status: *#21#
2

Option B: From your Subscriber Area

Log into your Espace Abonne at free.fr > Telephony > Call management > Call forwarding. Enter your Tala number and save.
Freebox call forwarding costs 0.05 EUR/min for calls redirected to French numbers.

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Quick Reference

To check if forwarding is active, dial *#21# (unconditional), *#61# (no reply), or *#67# (busy).

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Testing Your Forwarding

After activating call forwarding:
  1. Call your original number from a different phone
  2. Wait for your Tala agent to answer
  3. Have a brief test conversation to verify everything works
  4. Check your Tala dashboard for the test call log
If you used “No Reply” forwarding, let the phone ring without answering to test the redirect.

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Troubleshooting

  • Make sure you replaced the number with your actual Tala number (including country code +33)
  • Press the call button after dialing the code
  • Check with *#21# if forwarding is registered
  • On Free Mobile, verify the service is enabled in your Espace Abonne
Your operator’s voicemail may have priority over your forwarding rule. Try deactivating voicemail first, then set up forwarding:
  1. Dial ##002# to clear all forwarding (including voicemail)
  2. Set up your Tala forwarding with the appropriate code
  • Some phone interfaces (especially smartphones) may display “Connection problem” briefly before the code is processed. Wait a few seconds.
  • If the error persists, use your operator’s app or website instead
  • Contact your operator’s support to confirm call forwarding is included in your plan
The forwarding is working correctly but the issue is on the Tala side:
  • Verify your Tala number has an inbound workflow assigned
  • Check that your workflow is published (not in draft mode)
  • Try calling your Tala number directly to confirm it works

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Next Steps

Manage Your Numbers

Configure inbound workflows and add more numbers

Create a Voice Agent

Build the agent that will answer your forwarded calls