Call forwarding · Google Voice

Google Voice call forwarding and AI receptionists

Google Voice forwards calls to your linked phones, but Google doesn't support forwarding to an automated system. Here's what that means, and what to do instead.

The short answer

Can I forward Google Voice calls to an AI receptionist?

Not in a way Google supports. Google Voice forwards calls by ringing your linked numbers alongside your other devices, and it has no option to forward only unanswered calls. Google's help says forwarding calls from your Google Voice number to an automated system is unsupported, and an AI receptionist is an automated system. To have an AI agent answer, give callers the agent's own number, or move your business line to a carrier or phone system that supports conditional call forwarding.

How Google Voice forwarding works

Google Voice doesn't use dial codes. On the Google Voice website you add a phone under Settings as a linked number and verify it with a code Google sends by text, or by a voice call for a landline. Calls to your Google Voice number then also ring on that phone, alongside your other devices. You can turn a linked number's forwarding off without removing it.

You can link up to 6 numbers.
A number already linked to another Google Voice number can't be linked again.
Linked numbers aren't available to SIP Link users.
There's no setting to forward only the calls you don't answer.

Google's help says: "Forwarding calls from your Google Voice number to an automated system is unsupported." For that need, Google suggests signing up for Google Workspace and using an auto attendant. That's why we don't recommend linking your AI agent's number to Google Voice.

Recommended: let the AI agent answer on a supported line

Two setups work without going against Google's guidance.

1Start Daber AI and describe your business. Your agent gets a US number right away.
2Test the agent in your browser before any customer calls it.
3Option A: give callers the agent's own number. List it on your website and in your listings as the number for bookings, questions or after-hours calls, and keep Google Voice for the calls you take yourself.
4Option B: move your business number off Google Voice to a carrier or phone system that supports conditional call forwarding, then forward only unanswered calls to the agent. Ask the new provider how to bring your number over; our AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and RingCentral guides show the forwarding step.

The options side by side

Setup	Your phone rings first	Callers use your current number
Agent on its own number	No: callers reach the agent directly	No: you publish a second number
Business line moved to a carrier with conditional forwarding	Yes	Yes, if the new provider can take your number over
Google Voice forwarding to the agent	Unsupported by Google	Unsupported by Google

Test it

Call the number your customers use from another phone and let it ring. If the agent has its own number, call that number directly; the agent should answer. After moving to a carrier with conditional forwarding, your phone should ring first and the agent picks up the calls you don't. Every call is saved in Daber AI as a recording, a transcript and a summary.

Turn Google Voice forwarding off

If you've linked a number you no longer want ringing, open Settings on the Google Voice website, go to Calls, and under Call forwarding turn that linked number off. The number stays on your account. To remove it entirely, go to Settings > Account and click Remove next to it.

Get the number your calls forward to

Start Daber AI for $3: describe your business, and your AI agent gets a US or Canada number right away. Keep the number your customers know and forward calls to it.

Start for $3

Questions

Can I forward only the calls I miss on Google Voice?

Google Voice's help documents no such option. Linked numbers ring alongside your other devices; they don't wait for you to miss the call.

Why doesn't Google Voice support forwarding to an AI receptionist?

Google doesn't give a reason. Its help states that forwarding calls from your Google Voice number to an automated system is unsupported, and suggests Google Workspace with an auto attendant for that need.

Does call forwarding cost extra on Google Voice?

Google's help articles on linked numbers don't mention a charge. Check your Google Voice plan for what applies to you.

Can I keep my Google Voice number and still use an AI receptionist?

Yes, if callers reach the agent on its own number: keep Google Voice for the calls you take yourself, and publish the agent's number for the rest. Having Google Voice pass calls to the agent isn't supported by Google.

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-11-05

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Updated: 2026-11-05