RingFree Call Forwarding: Forward Calls From a Phone Number or an Extension
Forward a specific phone number to an external number (great for forwarding your main line)
Forward calls at the extension level using forwarding rules (best when a specific user is unavailable)
This guide walks you through both methods, step by step, with clear screenshot suggestions.
What you will learn
By the end of this guide, you will know how to:
Forward a RingFree phone number to a 10 digit external number
Understand what “Route to: External Number” does
Forward calls for a specific PBX extension using call handling rules
Use different forwarding conditions like Unconditional, Busy, and Not Connected
Before you start
Make sure you can log in to the RingFree Customer Admin Portal
Have the external 10 digit number ready (the number you want calls forwarded to)
Decide if you want forwarding to apply to a phone number, an extension, or both
Option 1: Forward a RingFree phone number to an external number
This option is best when you want a main company number to automatically redirect to a different phone number until you change it back manually.
Step 1: Open your phone numbers
In your phone system, locate your list of phone numbers
Find the RingFree phone number you want to forward
Step 2: Edit the phone number
On the right side of the phone number row, click the Edit pencil icon
Scroll to the Route to section
Step 3: Set “Route to” as External Number
In Route to, select External Number
In the external number field, enter the desired 10 digit number
Click Save
What happens after you save
Anytime someone calls this RingFree phone number, the system will automatically redirect the call to the external number you entered. This stays in effect until you change the routing back manually.
Option 2: Forward calls at the PBX extension level
This option is best when you want calls to a specific extension (example: extension 101) to forward under certain conditions like busy, do not disturb, or not connected.
Step 1: Open PBX Extensions
From the left menu, click PBX Extensions
Select the extension you want to set forwarding for (example: Extension 101)
Step 2: Go to Call Handling
On the extension page, scroll down to Advanced Configuration
Click Call Handling
Step 3: Turn on a forwarding rule condition
To enable forwarding, you must turn on at least one forwarding rule.
RingFree provides different conditions you can enable. Each one controls when calls should be forwarded.
Forwarding rule: Unconditional forwarding
What it means
Unconditional forwarding sends every call to the alternate destination no matter what.
When to use it
You want all calls to go somewhere else right away
The extension holder is away for a long period
Forwarding rule: Busy forwarding
What it means
Busy forwarding sends calls to an alternate destination when the extension is busy.
What counts as “busy”
The person is already on a call
Do Not Disturb is active
Any state where the extension cannot take another call
When to use it
You want to avoid missed calls while the user is on another call
Forwarding rule: Not Connected (extension not active)
What it means
Not connected forwarding sends calls to an alternate destination if the extension is not reachable.
Examples of not connected
Desk phone loses internet
App is not registered
Mobile app has no cellular access or data connection
When to use it
This is especially helpful if calls must always be answered for that extension, even if the user’s device is offline.
Step 4: Choose the forwarding destination
After enabling your rule, select the alternate destination where calls should go.
Depending on your system options, this could be:
An external phone number
Another extension
Voicemail
Another routing destination supported in your portal
Step 5: Save your changes
Always click Save after setting forwarding rules.
Video reference
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