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 Settings → Call Handling 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 Settings → Call Handling → 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 diversion 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 |
|---|---|
| Turn diversion on | *21*NUMBER# |
| Check it’s on | *#21# |
| Turn diversion off | #21# |
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 diversion.
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 divert 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 diversion” or call their support line and ask them to divert all calls to your Clara number.
Choosing which calls to forward
Most setups divert every incoming call to Clara, which is what you want if Clara is answering your line. Some providers also offer conditional diversion:
- Always divert 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.
If you want Clara to answer only outside your opening hours, set diversion to always and use scheduling call hours in the app instead.
Confirm it’s working
Once diversion 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. Diversion is activated on your provider’s side, so it isn’t always instant.
If calls aren’t reaching Clara
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.
- Diversion not on your plan. Some landline plans don’t include call diversion by default. Your provider can add it.
- Diversion charges. A few plans bill for diverted calls. Check this with your provider if diversion is active but calls drop.
- Give it time. A new setup can take a few minutes to take effect across the network.
To switch diversion off, dial #21#, or see 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 diversion 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 sort it out.