If your SkipCalls receptionist isn't answering calls to your iPhone, the cause is almost always call forwarding or an iPhone feature that grabs the call first. Work through these steps in order.
How SkipCalls answers your calls
Your mobile carrier forwards calls to your SkipCalls number, and your receptionist answers them there. With the recommended setup, your phone rings first, and the call goes to your receptionist only if you don't answer. If you chose to forward all calls, every call goes straight to your receptionist and your phone doesn't ring.
For this to work, forwarding must be turned on with your carrier using the steps the SkipCalls app shows for your carrier.
Step 1: Check that your receptionist answers directly
Go to Settings → Receptionist Settings and tap Talk to followed by your receptionist's name. This calls your SkipCalls number.
Your receptionist answers: it's working. The problem is forwarding. Continue to Step 2.
It doesn't answer: check that your subscription is active, then contact support.
Step 2: Check the message after dialing the forwarding code
When you dial the forwarding code from the SkipCalls setup, your iPhone shows a message from your carrier.
Failed message
Forwarding was not turned on.
Success message
Forwarding was turned on. Skip to Step 3.
If you got a failed message
Turn off Wi-Fi: Settings → Wi-Fi.
Turn off Wi-Fi Calling: Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling (on newer iOS: Settings → Apps → Phone).
Make sure you have cellular signal, then dial the same code again from the SkipCalls setup.
Use the code the app shows for your carrier. Codes differ between carriers, so a code copied from somewhere else may not work.
To redo the setup, go to Settings → Receptionist Settings → Setup & Help → Show Setup Instructions.
Step 3: Turn off Live Voicemail
If forwarding succeeded but your receptionist still doesn't answer, iPhone's Live Voicemail is the most common cause. It answers missed calls itself before they can be forwarded to SkipCalls.
Open Settings → Phone (on newer iOS: Settings → Apps → Phone).
Tap Live Voicemail.
Turn it off.
Tip: you can also type "Live Voicemail" in the search bar at the top of Settings.
Step 4: Test the right way
From another phone, call your iPhone number.
Don't answer, and don't decline. Let it ring until it stops by itself. Declining isn't a reliable test of missed-call forwarding.
Your receptionist should pick up, and the call should appear in the Reception tab.
You can also use the built-in test: Settings → Receptionist Settings → Setup & Help → Test Call Forwarding. See How to test your receptionist after setup.
Use the SkipCalls codes, not iPhone's Call Forwarding switch
The Call Forwarding switch in your iPhone's Phone settings sends every call away, so your phone never rings. Unless the SkipCalls setup tells you to use it for your carrier, use the codes from the SkipCalls app instead. They forward calls only when you don't answer, are busy, or can't be reached.
Still not working?
Go to Settings → Receptionist Settings → Setup & Help → Get Live Support. Tell us your carrier and the exact message your iPhone showed after dialing the code, and we'll help you finish setup. For the full setup guide, see Set Up Your AI Receptionist and Call Forwarding.