> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tala-assistant.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Call Forwarding Setup

> Forward calls from your existing French phone number to your Tala number

## 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.

## Forwarding Types

There are three main types of call forwarding. Choose the one that fits your use case:

| Type                    | What It Does                         | Best For                                                       |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Unconditional (CFU)** | All calls are forwarded immediately  | Businesses that want Tala to handle every call                 |
| **No Reply (CFNRy)**    | Forwards after a set number of rings | Answering calls yourself when available, Tala handles the rest |
| **Busy (CFB)**          | Forwards when your line is busy      | Catching overflow calls                                        |

<Note>
  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.
</Note>

## 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**).

### Orange

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Alternative: Orange et Moi app">
    Open the Orange et Moi app > **My services** > **Call forwarding**. Enter your Tala number and select the forwarding type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deactivate">
    * All calls: `##21#`
    * No reply: `##61#`
    * Busy: `##67#`
    * All types at once: `##002#`
  </Step>
</Steps>

### SFR

<Steps>
  <Step title="Activate forwarding">
    Dial the code on your phone and press the call button:

    * **All calls:** `*21*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
    * **No reply:** `*61*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
    * **Busy:** `*67*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Alternative: SFR Espace Client">
    Log into your SFR account at sfr.fr > **My services** > **Call forwarding**. Enter your Tala number.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deactivate">
    * All calls: `##21#`
    * No reply: `##61#`
    * Busy: `##67#`
    * All types at once: `##002#`
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Free Mobile

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate forwarding">
    Dial the code on your phone and press the call button:

    * **All calls:** `*21*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
    * **No reply:** `*61*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
    * **Busy:** `*67*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deactivate">
    * All calls: `##21#`
    * No reply: `##61#`
    * Busy: `##67#`
    * All types at once: `##002#`
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Bouygues Telecom

<Steps>
  <Step title="Activate forwarding">
    Dial the code on your phone and press the call button:

    * **All calls:** `*21*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
    * **No reply:** `*61*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
    * **Busy:** `*67*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Alternative: Espace Client Bouygues">
    Log into your account at bouyguestelecom.fr > **My line** > **Call forwarding**. Enter your Tala number.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deactivate">
    * All calls: `##21#`
    * No reply: `##61#`
    * Busy: `##67#`
    * All types at once: `##002#`
  </Step>
</Steps>

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

<Note>
  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
</Note>

### Landline (Freebox)

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Option A: From your Freebox handset">
    Pick up your Freebox phone and dial:

    * **Activate:** `*21*+33XXXXXXXXX#`
    * **Deactivate:** `#21#`
    * **Check status:** `*#21#`
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Freebox call forwarding costs 0.05 EUR/min for calls redirected to French numbers.
</Note>

## Quick Reference

| Operator          | All Calls  | No Reply   | Busy       | Deactivate All |
| ----------------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | -------------- |
| Orange            | `*21*num#` | `*61*num#` | `*67*num#` | `##002#`       |
| SFR               | `*21*num#` | `*61*num#` | `*67*num#` | `##002#`       |
| Free Mobile       | `*21*num#` | `*61*num#` | `*67*num#` | `##002#`       |
| Bouygues          | `*21*num#` | `*61*num#` | `*67*num#` | `##002#`       |
| Freebox (handset) | `*21*num#` | N/A        | N/A        | `#21#`         |

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

## 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.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Forwarding not activating">
    * 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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Calls going to voicemail instead of Tala">
    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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="USSD code returns an error">
    * 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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Forwarding works but Tala doesn't answer">
    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
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Manage Your Numbers" icon="gear" href="/phone-numbers/managing-numbers">
    Configure inbound workflows and add more numbers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create a Voice Agent" icon="robot" href="/workflows/creating-workflows">
    Build the agent that will answer your forwarded calls
  </Card>
</CardGroup>