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

# Call forwarding to your Rivet number

> Two patterns for routing your existing line to Rivet — toggle on with *72 when you step away, or replace your carrier's voicemail so missed calls automatically forward.

You don't have to give clients a new number to use Rivet. The
practice you've been running with your existing line keeps running —
you just route the calls that would have rolled to your voicemail
over to your Rivet number instead. Every missed call lands in the
Rivet inbox with transcription + auto-reply firing within seconds.

There are two patterns for setting this up. The right one depends
on how often you want to think about it.

## Pattern 1 — Forward when away

You toggle forwarding on when you step away and off when you're
back. Lunch breaks, end of day, weekends, vacations, between
sessions. The desk phone keeps ringing during the times you're
willing to pick up.

**To turn it on** (do this from your office phone):

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick up your office phone">
    Most carriers want you to dial these codes from the line you're
    forwarding. Cell forwarding works too, but the dial pattern is
    the same.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Dial *72">
    You'll hear a tone or some beeps. That's the carrier confirming
    it's listening for the destination number.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Dial your Rivet number">
    Use the 10-digit form (no `+1` prefix needed). You'll find your
    Rivet number on the welcome screen, in Settings → Phone, or in
    the inbox header.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the line to answer, then hold for 5 seconds">
    The Rivet line picks up and plays your greeting. Don't hang up
    immediately — the carrier needs the connection to hold for a
    moment to register the forwarding rule.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Hang up — forwarding is active">
    From now until you cancel it, every call to your office phone
    goes straight to Rivet. Your desk phone won't ring.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**To turn it off:** pick up the office phone, dial `*73`, listen for
two beeps. Calls ring your desk normally again.

This pattern works with every Canadian carrier. No special features
required. The tradeoff: you have to remember to toggle.

## Pattern 2 — Replace your voicemail

Rivet becomes your voicemail system. Calls ring your desk phone
first; if nobody picks up within 4–5 rings, the carrier automatically
forwards to Rivet. Nothing to toggle.

This is the right pattern if you want the experience to be permanent
— callers always get either you on the line, or Rivet. Your carrier's
old voicemail goes away.

The setup is carrier-specific — different providers use different
codes (`*92`, `*004*`, online portals). Rivet's in-app forwarding
guide has the exact steps for your phone system. Open the app → Call
Forwarding → "Replace Your Voicemail" tab → pick your provider from
the dropdown. The codes are pre-filled with your Rivet number so you
can read them off the screen as you dial.

Providers Rivet has detailed step-by-step instructions for:

* Bell business + home phone
* Rogers
* TELUS (mobile + landline)
* Cogeco
* Shaw
* Nortel office systems
* Mitel office systems
* Generic VoIP / hosted PBX

If your phone system isn't listed, the underlying pattern is the
same. Look for "Call Forward No Answer" (CFNA) in your provider's
calling features. The destination number is your Rivet line.

### The voicemail gotcha

There's one thing worth knowing before you start Pattern 2: **most
carriers' voicemail intercepts calls before conditional forwarding
can trigger.** That means if you have your carrier's voicemail
turned on AND CFNA set up, callers still hit the carrier voicemail,
not Rivet.

You usually need to **disable your carrier's voicemail** before
"Replace Your Voicemail" actually works. The in-app guide flags
this for the specific providers where it matters (Rogers is the
strictest about it). If you're not sure, call your carrier and ask:
*"If I set up Call Forward No Answer to forward to an external
number, will your voicemail still intercept?"*

If yes — disable your carrier voicemail. Rivet is your voicemail now.

## Which pattern should you pick?

| If you…                                                                          | Pick                                           |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Want to keep using your carrier's voicemail for some calls (e.g. internal lines) | Pattern 1 — toggle when away                   |
| Want every missed call to land in Rivet without thinking about it                | Pattern 2 — replace voicemail                  |
| Don't have a desk phone and just use your cell                                   | Either works; Pattern 2 is simpler once set up |
| Have a multi-line office and only want SOME lines forwarded                      | Pattern 1 per line                             |

Most solo practitioners end up on Pattern 2 — set it once, forget
it. Group practices with shared lines often start with Pattern 1 so
the front desk keeps answering during business hours.

## When forwarding is on, auto-reply still fires

This is the part that makes Rivet feel different from a regular
voicemail. The caller leaves a message, hangs up, and within seconds
a text arrives back on their phone — *"Got your message about
booking, we'll be in touch by end of day"* or similar, based on what
they said. They're not staring at a black hole; they have a
confirmation in their pocket before they put the phone away.

Make sure Auto-Reply is switched on under Settings before you start
forwarding, otherwise callers hit Rivet but get no reply text. See
[How auto-reply works](/practice-phone/auto-response).

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="How voicemail works" icon="voicemail" href="/practice-phone/voicemail">
    The lifecycle of a voicemail once it reaches Rivet.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How auto-reply works" icon="message" href="/practice-phone/auto-response">
    What the caller sees within seconds of leaving a voicemail.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Receiving calls on Rivet" icon="phone" href="/practice-phone/receiving-calls">
    When forwarding is OFF and someone dials Rivet directly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test your line" icon="check" href="/getting-started/test-your-line">
    The 5-minute verification loop to confirm forwarding works end-to-end.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
