3CX call forwarding

Forward calls from your 3CX phone system to Tinylawn. Set forwarding rules per status profile — Tinylawn catches unanswered calls during the day and all calls after hours automatically.

All call-forwarding guides

Business Phone System

Before you start

Forwarding keeps the number your customers already have. You choose which calls go on to the answering service, so nothing changes on your website, truck wraps, or Google listing.

You need the Tinylawn number assigned to your account. Wherever a step shows [Your Tinylawn Number], enter that number in its place.

3CX offers 2 ways to forward. Most service businesses start with forwarding unanswered calls during the day, then forward all calls after hours.

When Unanswered (Available Status)

Your phone rings first. Calls you cannot pick up on a job go to Tinylawn instead of voicemail.

Turn it on

  1. In the 3CX Web Client, go to Settings > Call Forwarding.
  2. Click the "Available" status profile.
  3. Set the unanswered timeout (e.g. 20 seconds) — how long the phone rings before forwarding.
  4. Under "Unanswered calls," select "External number" from the dropdown.
  5. Enter your Tinylawn number with country code (e.g. +15551234567).
  6. Under "Busy or Not Registered," also select "External number" and enter the same Tinylawn number.
  7. Click Save.

Turn it off

  1. Go to Settings > Call Forwarding > Available status.
  2. Change the "Unanswered calls" and "Busy or Not Registered" dropdowns back to "Voicemail" or your preferred option.
  3. Click Save.

All Calls (DND / Away Status)

Every call goes to Tinylawn. Turn it on at the end of the day for after-hours coverage, or leave it on if Tinylawn is your front desk.

Turn it on

  1. In the 3CX Web Client, go to Settings > Call Forwarding.
  2. Click the "Do Not Disturb" or "Away" status profile.
  3. Under "Unanswered calls," select "External number" and enter your Tinylawn number.
  4. Set the timeout to 0 seconds so calls forward immediately.
  5. Under "Busy or Not Registered," also select "External number" with your Tinylawn number.
  6. Click Save.
  7. Switch your status to "DND" or "Away" to activate — all calls go straight to Tinylawn.

Turn it off

  1. Switch your status back to "Available" from the 3CX client, desktop app, or mobile app.
  2. Calls will follow your Available profile rules instead.

Good to know

  • You can also configure forwarding rules from the 3CX desktop app or smartphone app under Settings > Call Forwarding. Changes sync across all your devices.
  • Enter your Tinylawn number with the country code (e.g. +1 for US numbers).
  • 3CX has 5 status profiles: Available, Away, Do Not Disturb, and two customizable ones (e.g. Lunch, Business Trip). Set different forwarding rules for each.
  • Use the Schedule feature to automate status switching — 3CX can set your status to "DND" outside office hours and "Away" during breaks, forwarding to Tinylawn automatically.
  • You can set up Exceptions so VIP callers (e.g. your biggest accounts) get forwarded differently even when you're in DND.
  • Check "Also ring my mobile" under the Available status if you want both your mobile and Tinylawn as a backup.

Test it before you rely on it

Call your business number from a different phone and let it ring through. Then try the cases you care about: a call while you are already on the line, a call you decline, and a call after hours. Our seven test calls to make before forwarding your number cover the rest.

Not sure which coverage you need? See how overflow answering and after-hours answering work.

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