Clara can answer a landline or office phone just as easily as a mobile. The difference is in how you set it up: a landline can’t run the Clara app, so you turn on forwarding through your phone line itself or your provider’s account, rather than from inside Clara.
Once forwarding is on, every call to your landline is sent to Clara automatically. It runs on your provider’s network, so a new setup can take a few minutes to take effect.
Before you start: find your Clara number
You’ll forward your landline to your Clara NumberIn the Clara app, go to Business → Phone Setup and tap your number to copy it , so grab it first.
The Clara app runs on a phone or tablet, even if the line you’re forwarding is a landline. Open the Clara app and go to Business → Phone Setup → Clara Number, then tap to copy it.
If you don’t have the app installed yet, set it up on any mobile device first. Your landline forwards to the Clara number regardless of which device the app is on.
Option 1: Dial a forwarding code on your landline
This is the most reliable method for traditional landlines. Pick up the handset, listen for a dial tone, then enter the code below. Replace NUMBER with your Clara number, typed with no spaces.
You’ll usually hear a confirmation announcement or two short beeps to confirm it worked.
| Action | What to dial on a UK landline |
|---|---|
| Turn forwarding on | *21*NUMBER# |
| Check it’s on | *#21# |
| Turn forwarding off | #21# |
For example, if your Clara number is 020 7123 4567, dial *21*02071234567#.
BT and most UK landlines support these codes (BT calls this Call Diversion). If yours doesn’t respond, the feature may need adding to your line first. Call your provider and ask them to enable call forwarding.
Calling from another country?
The codes on this page are for UK landlines. US and Canadian lines work differently: dial *72 then the number to turn forwarding on, and *73 to turn it off. TELUS home phone lines in Canada use 72# and 73# instead.
Option 2: Set it up through your provider’s account
Many modern business lines are VoIP or run through a digital provider, where forwarding is controlled online rather than by a dialling code. Providers like BT, Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk and Vonage all let you manage this from your account.
The exact menus differ, but the path is almost always the same:
- Sign in to your provider’s account or admin portal
- Find your phone line, then look for Call Diversion, Call Forwarding or Call Rules
- Choose to forward all calls (sometimes called Always or Unconditional)
- Enter your Clara number and save
If you can’t find the setting, search your provider’s help site for “call forwarding” or call their support line and ask them to forward all calls to your Clara number.
Choosing which calls to forward
Most setups forward every incoming call to Clara, which is what you want if Clara is answering your line. Some providers also offer conditional forwarding:
- Always forward sends every call to Clara. Best for letting Clara answer your line full time.
- When busy or unanswered sends a call to Clara only if you don’t pick up. Useful if you still answer some calls yourself.
Confirm it’s working
Once forwarding is set up:
- Call your landline number from a different phone
- If Clara answers, you’re all set
If nothing happens right away, give it a few minutes. Forwarding is activated on your provider’s side, so it isn’t always instant.
If it’s not working
A few quick things to check:
- Re-enter your Clara number. Dial
*21*NUMBER#again and make sure the number is correct, with no spaces. - Network voicemail. Many landlines send unanswered calls to a network answering service (such as BT 1571) before Clara can pick up. Ask your provider to switch it off for the line.
- Forwarding not on your plan. Some landline plans don’t include call forwarding by default. Your provider can add it.
- Forwarding charges. A few plans bill for forwarded calls. Check this with your provider if forwarding is active but calls drop.
- Give it time. A new setup can take a few minutes to take effect across the network.
To switch forwarding off, follow turn call forwarding off below.
Turn call forwarding off
To stop Clara answering your landline, cancel the forwarding on the line itself. Calls ring your handset again as soon as it clears.
Pick up the handset, wait for the dial tone, then dial the cancel code that matches the forwarding you switched on. You’ll usually hear a confirmation announcement or two short beeps.
| Forwarding you turned on | What to dial on a UK landline |
|---|---|
All calls (*21*) | #21# |
When unanswered (*61*) | #61# |
When busy (*67*) | #67# |
Not sure whether forwarding is still on? Dial *#21# and your line reads its current status back to you.
If you set up more than one type of forwarding, cancel each one separately. Dialling #21# on its own leaves a “when unanswered” or “when busy” rule running, and those calls keep reaching Clara.
If you set forwarding up through your provider’s account rather than a dialling code, cancel it in the same place: sign in, find your line, then switch Call Forwarding off (BT labels it Call Diversion) or delete the rule pointing at your Clara number. A cancel code won’t clear a rule your provider is holding in their portal.
Turning forwarding off doesn’t change anything inside Clara. Your Clara number keeps working, so anyone who rings it directly still gets Clara. If you’d rather leave forwarding on and just stop Clara answering for a while, pause it instead.
Forwarding a mobile or a VoIP number as well? Those are switched off in their own settings, covered in how to stop Clara from picking up your calls.
Forwarding a mobile instead?
If the phone you want Clara to answer is a mobile, follow setting up call forwarding for step-by-step codes and phone settings for every major network and device.
Still need help?
If forwarding still isn’t working after the steps above, your phone line provider can fully check and reset it on their end. You can also reach us at [email protected] and someone from our team will help you out.