How to Forward Calls from a Virtual Number to Any Phone

Updated 2026-09-30 · By the ZuteSIP team (ZuteSIP Inc.)

Short answer: Call forwarding sends every call to your online number on to another phone, such as your mobile or office line, so you answer on a device you already carry. With ZuteSIP you turn it on from the number's page in the dashboard and enter the destination in international format. Forwarding is included with every number.

Forwarding is the simplest way to use a number from another country without installing anything. This guide covers setup, when to use forwarding instead of a SIP app or the web dialer, and how to fix common problems.

How call forwarding works

When someone dials your number, the call reaches our platform first. With forwarding on, the platform places a second call leg to the destination you chose and connects the two. The caller dials a number in your chosen country; you answer on your usual phone anywhere in the world.

Because the forwarded leg is a new call, what appears on your phone as the caller's number depends on the networks along the route. Many networks pass the original caller ID, but some replace or hide it. Your dashboard call log always records the incoming call.

Forwarding does not depend on any app on the destination phone. The call arrives as an ordinary phone call, so it works on a basic mobile, a desk phone, or a phone with a SIM from any country. That makes it a practical choice for people who do not want to install a softphone or keep a browser tab open, and for anyone who wants calls to reach them while their computer is off.

Forwarding vs SIP app vs web dialer

Option	Best for	Needs	Can you call out with the number?
Call forwarding	Answering on an existing phone with no setup	Only a destination phone number	No, forwarding is for incoming calls
Web dialer	Answering and calling from a computer	A browser and microphone	Yes, choose any of your numbers as caller ID
SIP softphone	Mobile or desktop app that rings like a phone	Zoiper, Linphone, MicroSIP, Bria or similar	Yes
PBX	Teams, queues and routing rules	3CX, FreePBX, Asterisk or similar	Yes

Set up forwarding step by step

Sign in to the ZuteSIP dashboard and open the number you want to forward.
Find the call forwarding setting on the number's page.
Enter the destination in full international format, starting with the country code, for example +44 followed by the number without its leading zero.
Save, then call the number from a different phone to test it.
Check the call log in the dashboard to confirm the call was received and forwarded.

Formatting the destination number correctly

Most forwarding problems come from the destination format. Use E.164 international format: a plus sign, the country code, then the national number without any trunk prefix. A UK mobile written locally as 07700 900123 becomes +447700900123; a German number 030 1234567 becomes +49301234567. Our phone number formatter tool can do the conversion for you.

Local:        07700 900123
International: +447700900123
Placeholder:   +<COUNTRY_CODE><NATIONAL_NUMBER>

Common forwarding scenarios

Business line abroad: a US or UK number for customers, forwarded to your mobile at home.
Moving countries: keep a number from your old country and forward it to your new mobile.
Out of hours: agents use the web dialer during the day and switch forwarding on to a duty phone at night.
Travel: keep taking calls on your home number while carrying a local SIM in the country you are visiting.
Privacy: give out an online number and forward calls without revealing your personal mobile.

What forwarding does not cover

Forwarding handles voice calls. SMS messages stay in the dashboard inbox, where you can read and reply to them. Voicemail and call recording are not part of the service, so if a forwarded call is not answered, whatever happens next depends on the destination phone's own settings. If you need queues, menus or recording, connect the number to a PBX using its SIP credentials; those features come from the PBX.

Emergency calls are not supported on ZuteSIP numbers, so never rely on a forwarded number for emergency services.

Combining forwarding with the web dialer

Many people use both. Forwarding makes sure incoming calls reach a phone in your pocket, while the web dialer handles outgoing calls, so the person you call sees your ZuteSIP number rather than your personal mobile. The web dialer runs in the browser with nothing to install, and you can pick any of your numbers as caller ID for each call. Each number includes 1,000 outgoing minutes and 500 outgoing SMS per month.

Teams can go one step further: register the number in a PBX with its SIP credentials, let the PBX ring several agents, and keep forwarding as a backup for off-hours.

Who benefits most from forwarding

Freelancers who want a client-facing number without a second phone.
Online sellers who list a local number in each marketplace country.
Recruiters and real estate agents who need a separate line that still rings their mobile.
Remote teams that share one public number and rotate who receives the calls.

Troubleshooting forwarded calls

Calls don't ring through: check the destination is in international format and that the phone has signal.
Wrong caller ID shown: this is set by the networks carrying the forwarded leg; check the dashboard call log for the original caller.
Calls cut after answering: test from a different caller network, and contact support with the time of the call from the call log.
Want to answer on a computer too: switch forwarding off and answer in the web dialer or a SIP app instead.
Still stuck: open a support ticket from the dashboard or email support@zutesipdialer.com.

Included on every plan

Unlimited incoming SMS
Unlimited incoming calls
500 outgoing SMS per month
1,000 outgoing minutes per month
SIP credentials, call forwarding and web dialer
Keep your number as long as you want
Works with WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, Telegram and thousands more
7-day replacement guarantee — free new number if it doesn't work for you
7-day money-back guarantee if the number is unused

Numbers from $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year). Pay with USDT or USDC.

Frequently asked questions

Can I forward calls from a virtual number to my mobile?

Yes. Every ZuteSIP number includes call forwarding to any phone; enter the destination in international format on the number's page.

Is call forwarding included in the price?

Yes, forwarding is included with every number along with the web dialer, SIP credentials and SMS inbox. See the pricing page for what is included each month.

Are SMS messages forwarded too?

No. Forwarding covers voice calls; SMS arrives in the dashboard inbox, where you can read and reply.

Will I see the original caller's number?

Often, but it depends on the networks carrying the forwarded call. The dashboard call log always shows the incoming call.

Can I make outgoing calls with a forwarded number?

Forwarding only handles incoming calls. To call out showing your number, use the web dialer or a SIP app.

Does forwarding work internationally?

Yes, you can forward to a phone in any country, for example a US number to a mobile in India.