Phone numbers

Every Reception.ai account gets at least one dedicated US phone number. This is the number customers call to reach your AI receptionist.

During onboarding, you choose a preferred 3-digit area code (e.g., 415, 212). Reception.ai assigns an available number from the pool matching that area code.

Phone numbers are managed in Receptionists → select a receptionist → Call settings → Phone numbers section.

On higher-tier plans, you can claim additional phone numbers:

1. Click Add phone number
2. Optionally filter by area code
3. A number is assigned from the available pool
4. Assign it to a receptionist

Move a phone number from one receptionist to another:

1. Select the number
2. Choose a different active receptionist as the target

Release a number back to the pool when you no longer need it.

When a call arrives at your number, the system processes it in the following order:

1. Blocked number check — Rejected if the caller is on your block list.
2. Answering mode check — If staff-first is enabled and within schedule, the staff phone rings first.
3. Staff timeout — If staff does not answer within the configured ring time, the call continues to AI.
4. AI receptionist — Greets the caller and handles the conversation.
5. Entitlement check — Requires an active subscription or trial. Deactivated numbers do not accept calls.

Numbers can be deactivated (stop accepting calls) when:

• You manually deactivate the receptionist assigned to it
• Your subscription is cancelled or expires (14-day grace period before release)
• You exceed your plan's phone number limit after a downgrade

Deactivated numbers are reserved for you during the grace period — they can be reactivated by upgrading or renewing.