Call Forwarding
Short answer: Call forwarding is a telephony feature that automatically redirects incoming calls from one phone number to another phone or line. Callers dial your published number, and the call rings wherever you choose, such as your personal mobile in another country.
Forwarding lets one number follow you across devices and borders without handing out your personal number.
How it works
The provider receiving the call checks a forwarding rule for the dialed number and places a second leg to the destination, bridging the caller through. Rules can be unconditional or apply only when busy or unanswered. In SIP, a redirect can also be signaled with a 3xx response defined in RFC 3261.
Forwarding rule types
| Rule | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Unconditional | Every call is forwarded |
| Busy | Only when the line is busy |
| No answer | Only when the call is unanswered |
| SIP redirect (3xx) | Signalled with a 3xx response defined in RFC 3261 |
How it applies to ZuteSIP
Every ZuteSIP number includes call forwarding to any phone, alongside unlimited incoming calls. You can instead answer on a SIP app such as Zoiper or in the browser web dialer, and all calls appear in the dashboard call log.
Related terms
- DID
- Caller ID
- SIP
- Softphone
Frequently asked questions
Can I forward to a number in another country?
Yes, ZuteSIP call forwarding works to any phone.
Does forwarding hide my personal number?
Callers only see and dial your ZuteSIP number, not the destination.
Can I answer in an app instead?
Yes, use the SIP credentials in any SIP app or the web dialer.
Related pages
- DID numbers
- caller ID
- SIP
- forward calls from a virtual number
- second number for business
- travelers use case
- Web Dialer
Sources
- IETF: RFC 3261, SIP: Session Initiation Protocol (as of September 2026)