# 8x8 Call Forwarding Rules to an AI Receptionist

Source: https://insertchat.com/call-forwarding/8x8

> Point 8x8 call forwarding rules at InsertChat’s AI receptionist: forward all calls, unanswered and busy calls, or a recurring after-hours rule in Admin Console.

8x8 forwards calls through call forwarding rules in 8x8 Admin Console. Forward all calls, send unanswered and busy calls, or add a recurring after-hours rule. Each rule points to your InsertChat routing number, entered with its country code, and the AI receptionist answers whatever the rule sends.

## 8x8

Available for numbers in the United States. In dial codes, XXXXXXXXXX stands for the 10 digits of your private routing number.

### Forward all calls

1. In 8x8 Admin Console, click Users, then Edit next to the extension.
2. Select Call forwarding rules and click Edit.
3. Under Forward all Calls, choose Selected User or Service and enter your private routing number, including the country code.
4. Click Save, then save the user profile.

### Forward unanswered or busy calls

1. In 8x8 Admin Console, click Users, edit the extension, and open Call forwarding rules.
2. Under When User does not Answer the Call, set the ring time and choose Forward Directly To your private routing number.
3. Under When User is Busy, choose Forward Directly To your private routing number.
4. Click Save, then save the user profile.

### Forward calls after hours

1. In 8x8 Admin Console, open the extension’s Call forwarding rules and click Add New Rule.
2. Apply the rule to Anyone on a Recurring Schedule that covers your closed hours.
3. Under Forward the Calls to, choose Forward Directly To your private routing number.
4. Click Save, then save the user profile.

### Turn forwarding off

- Open the extension’s Call forwarding rules in 8x8 Admin Console.
- Change or delete every rule that targets your private routing number, then save the user profile.

Source: [8x8 documentation](https://help.8x8.com/docs/set-up-call-forwarding-in-8x8-admin-console), reviewed 2026-10-13.

## Finish the setup in InsertChat

1. **Enter your business number.** In your assistant’s phone settings, choose Forward my existing number, enter it, and check compatibility. Confirm the provider you pay for phone service.
2. **Forward to your routing number.** Choose when calls forward, then follow your provider’s steps to send them to the private routing number InsertChat creates. Never publish that number.
3. **Verify with a test call.** InsertChat places a verification call. For unanswered-or-busy forwarding, let it ring without answering so your provider’s rule can forward it.

## Do I need the country code for an 8x8 external number?

Yes. 8x8 asks you to include the country code when you forward to an external number, so enter the routing number with +1 in front of its 10 digits.

## Who can create an 8x8 after-hours rule?

8x8 marks Add New Rule as admins only. End users can change their own forwarding settings, but an administrator creates the recurring schedule that forwards closed-hours calls to the routing number.

## Can 8x8 ring my team before the AI receptionist?

Yes. Use the When User does not Answer the Call rule: set how many seconds the extension rings, then forward directly to the routing number so the AI receptionist answers only the calls your team misses.

## Does forwarding my number cost extra?

The first active line is included with your InsertChat plan; additional lines are $10 per month plus voice minutes. Your phone provider may also count forwarded calls against your plan, so check your plan with them.

## What if my provider is not listed?

Choose Another provider during setup. Ask your provider to forward all calls, or unanswered and busy calls, to your private routing number, keep caller ID passthrough on when offered, and make carrier voicemail ring longer than the forwarding timeout.