How to Forward Salon Calls to an AI Receptionist (*72, *71, *73 Guide)
Setup guides · September 12, 2026 · 7 min read
Your salon number is on your window, your Google Business Profile and every card you ever handed out, so changing it is never an option. Call forwarding lets you keep that number and still have every call answered: when your team cannot pick up, the call rolls to an AI receptionist that quotes your prices, books the appointment and texts you the details. This guide walks through the exact codes, the settings that suit a nail salon or spa, and how to test everything before your next busy Saturday.
Why call forwarding beats changing your salon number
Your phone number is a marketing asset. It is indexed on Google Maps, printed on gift cards and saved in thousands of customer phones. Forwarding keeps that asset intact while quietly changing what happens when nobody can answer.
Forwarding is also reversible in seconds. Two taps put calls back on the salon handset, so you are never locked into anything.
The three call forwarding codes every salon should know
Dial these from the salon line you want to forward. They work on most US landline and mobile carriers.
- *72 — unconditional forwarding. Dial *72, then your CALLALL number, then call. Every caller reaches the AI receptionist immediately.
- *71 — forward when busy or unanswered. Dial *71, then your CALLALL number. The salon phone rings first; the AI takes over only when nobody picks up.
- *73 — cancel forwarding. Dial *73 and calls ring at the salon again.
Which forwarding setting fits a nail salon or spa?
Most shops start with *71 so the front desk still gets first chance. Within a week, salons with no dedicated desk person usually switch to *72 — the AI answers faster than a technician can take off gloves and dry their hands.
Spas with treatment rooms often use *72 during service hours and *73 in the evening if they prefer live calls only during quiet times.
Forwarding from a mobile phone or VoIP system
If your salon line is a mobile number, use the Call Forwarding menu in your phone settings instead of the star codes: iPhone under Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, Android under Phone app > Settings > Calls > Call forwarding.
On VoIP platforms such as RingCentral, Ooma, Grasshopper or Google Voice, set the AI number as the final ring destination or the no-answer destination in your call-handling rules.
Set your receptionist up before you forward
Forwarding only pays off when the receptionist knows your shop. Before you flip the switch, add your full service menu with prices and durations, your opening hours for each weekday, your greeting in your own words, and answers to the questions callers ask most: parking, walk-ins, kids, gift cards, deposits and cancellations.
Test your setup in five minutes
Call your salon number from your own mobile. You should hear your greeting with your salon name. Ask the price of a service you entered, then ask to book a time this week.
Check three things afterwards: the appointment appears in your dashboard, you received the owner text, and the caller received a confirmation text. If any is missing, review your hours and your owner mobile number in settings.
Common forwarding mistakes to avoid
- Forwarding to a number you have not tested first.
- Leaving opening hours blank, so the receptionist has no slots to offer.
- Entering prices without durations, which makes availability inaccurate.
- Forgetting to dial *73 before a day when you want live calls only.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a new phone number to use an AI receptionist?
- No. You keep your existing salon number and forward it to your AI receptionist number using *71 or *72. Customers keep dialling the number they already know.
- What does *72 do on a salon phone?
- *72 forwards every incoming call to another number immediately. Dial *72, then the destination number, then press call. Dial *73 to turn it off.
- Can I forward only the calls we miss?
- Yes. Dial *71 followed by your AI receptionist number. The salon phone rings first and the AI answers only if nobody picks up.
- Does call forwarding cost extra?
- Most US carriers include basic call forwarding with business lines, though some charge per forwarded minute. Check your plan before forwarding all calls.
Never miss another booking call
CALLALL answers, quotes your prices, books the slot and texts you. From $49 a month.
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