Your phone numbers live on the Phone Numbers page of the web dashboard. There are two kinds:
Numbers your receptionist answers — SkipCalls numbers. Give one out, or forward your business line to it.
Your numbers for calling out — your own business numbers that you verified, so people see them when your receptionist calls.
To add any kind of number, use the Add a number panel on the right side of the page, or the Get Number button at the top.
Get a new number
Click Get Number at the top of the page, or Get a new number in the Add a number panel.
Pick Local or Toll-Free (where both are offered).
Type the digits you want — an area code like 415, a lucky ending like 8888, or any digits you'd like in the number. You can also pick how to match them: Auto, Area code, Starts, Contains, or Ends.
Click Get next to the number you like. It's ready in seconds.
Your new number is connected to one of your receptionists right away. You can switch it to a different one at any time (see below).
Where numbers are available
United States and Canada — Local or Toll-Free
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Israel — Local
Estonia — Local or Mobile
The number needs to be in the same country as your account. If you need a number in another country, message our support team.
Good to know: toll-free numbers can't send or receive text messages. If texting your customers matters, pick a Local number.
How many numbers you can have
Your plan includes a set number of phone numbers. The search window shows how many you have left. If you've used them all, you'll see an option to upgrade instead of the Get button. You can get one new number every 30 minutes.
Choose which receptionist answers
Each number is answered by one receptionist.
Find the number under Numbers your receptionist answers.
Pick a receptionist from the menu next to it.
The change works right away. A paused number has to be unpaused before you can change its receptionist.
Forward your business line to SkipCalls
Keep your existing number and send its calls to your receptionist. It takes about two minutes and nothing changes with your carrier.
Click Forward my calls next to your SkipCalls number.
Pick your phone carrier.
Choose when calls should go to your receptionist:
If no answer (recommended) — your phone rings first, and the receptionist picks up only if you don't.
When busy — when you're already on a call.
When unreachable — when your phone is off or has no signal.
Forward all calls — every call goes straight to your receptionist and your phone won't ring.
Dial the code shown on screen from your phone and press Call. The wizard also shows the code to turn forwarding off later.
iPhone users: turn off Live Voicemail (Settings → Apps → Phone → Live Voicemail). Otherwise it catches calls before they can be forwarded.
Optional: test it. We'll call your phone — don't answer, and if your receptionist picks up, you're all set.
For internet phone services, the wizard shows step-by-step instructions for that service's settings instead of a dial code.
Pause a number
Pausing stops a number from answering calls without giving it up.
To pause: click the ⋯ menu next to the number and choose Pause answering.
To turn it back on: click Unpause.
Paused numbers show Paused · not answering calls. The number stays yours, isn't charged while paused, and doesn't use a slot on your plan.
Remove a number
Click the ⋯ menu next to the number.
Choose Remove number and confirm.
When you remove a number, we give it back and you stop paying for it. It disappears from your list right away.
Please be sure before you remove a number: you can't get the same number back later. If you want a number after that, you'll need to pick a different one.
Numbers you transferred to SkipCalls from another carrier can't be removed from the page. Message our support team if you want to give one up.
Move your number to SkipCalls
Most businesses don't need to move their number — forwarding (above) does the job in two minutes. If you'd rather move the number itself:
Click Move your number here in the Add a number panel.
Choose Transfer the number.
Enter the number and check that you own it and can sign in to your current carrier account.
Click Start the transfer with support. Our team takes it from there.
A transfer takes about a week. Your number keeps working with your current carrier until it's done. Once a transfer starts, it can't be cancelled.
Call out from your own number
When your receptionist calls someone, it can show your business number instead of a SkipCalls number. Click Call out from your own number in the Add a number panel. Full steps: Use your own phone number for outbound caller ID.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my number back after removing it?
No. Once a number is removed, you can't get that same number again. Pause it instead if you might want it later.
What's the difference between pausing and removing?
Pausing stops calls but keeps the number on your account, so you can unpause it anytime. Removing gives the number up for good.
Can I use the mobile app to get a new number?
Getting, pausing, and removing numbers is done on the web dashboard. The app shows your SkipCalls number and walks you through forwarding.