Your AI receptionist needs a number to answer on. Every location gets one, and the first is included in your plan.
Get a number
- Open Settings → Phone & SMS. On the Calls tab click Set up a phone number (you land on the Connect Your Phone page; the dashboard's Connect phone number task takes you there too).
- Choose Get a New Number and click Continue. (Port Existing Number is for a number you already own; see Port your existing number.)
- Enter a three-digit area code, for example 415, and click Search Available Numbers.
- Pick a number and click Get This Number. The page shows the Monthly cost for it: Free for your first number, Included on a custom plan, or the add-on price.
The number is attached to the location you are currently viewing and answers calls within seconds. If you have several locations, switch location at the top of the page before setting up the next one.
Only an owner or admin who belongs to that location can buy a number, since it can be a monthly charge. Anyone else sees "Only an owner or admin can buy a phone number. Ask them to add one for this location."
Two things that can stop the purchase
- An unverified email. The page shows Verify your email to activate a phone number and the button reads Verify email to continue. Click the link in the email FrontDesk sent at signup, or click Resend email (available again after two minutes).
- No card on file, but only for an add-on number beyond your plan's allowance. The message reads "Add a payment method in Settings → Billing before purchasing a phone number." Your included number never needs a card.
Allowance and cost
| Plan | Numbers included |
|---|---|
| Free | 1 |
| Pro | 1 |
| Elite | 3 |
| Custom / Enterprise | as agreed |
One number per location, within that allowance. Add-on numbers beyond it are billed monthly at the price shown on the Monthly cost row. Trying to exceed the allowance shows "Your Plan plan includes N phone number(s). Upgrade your plan to add more numbers."
After activation
Calls are live immediately and the dashboard checklist ticks Connect phone number. Texting is not: the number is Voice ready until you complete texting registration on the Texting tab, which carriers take three to seven business days to approve; see Turn on texting. Your AI's greeting, voice and call handling live under Receptionist → AI Voice and on the Calls tab.
Releasing a number
Only the account owner can release a number. It is done in the Inbox: click the gear at the top right, choose Phone number & billing, then Release Number and Yes, Release.
The release isn't immediate. The number keeps working for 7 more days, and the panel says "This number will be released on [date]". Until then, Keep this number cancels the release. After that the number goes back to the carrier, anyone can take it, and it can't be recovered. Keep a number clients know unless you are certain.