How to Forward Calls from 8x8 to Ringing.io
Use 8x8 Admin Console call-forwarding rules to send your extension to Ringing.io — always, on no-answer, on busy, or on a recurring schedule.
8x8 forwarding is per-user (per-extension) and configured in the 8x8 Admin Console under each user's "Call forwarding rules". The default rule set includes four built-in conditions (Forward all calls, Internet connection down, User is busy, User does not answer) and supports custom rules with recurring time-of-day schedules. External numbers must be entered with the country code (1 for US/Canada).
Forward every call to Ringing.io
Edit the "Forward all calls" rule for your user so 100% of incoming calls go straight to your Ringing.io number.
- 1
Sign in to the 8x8 Admin Console
Open admin.8x8.com and sign in as an administrator (or a user with permission to edit your own forwarding rules).
- 2
Open the user
In the left nav click Home > Users, find the user whose extension you want to forward, and click Edit (pencil icon).
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Scroll to Call forwarding rules
Inside the user profile, scroll to the "Call forwarding rules" section. You will see four default rules: Forward all calls, When internet connection is down, When user is busy, and When user does not answer the call.
- 4
Edit "Forward all calls"
Click Edit next to "Forward all calls". In the "Forward the calls to" dropdown choose "External number" (or "Custom number") and enter +1 followed by your 10-digit Ringing.io number. Save the rule.
- 5
Enable the rule and save the user
Tick the checkbox next to "Forward all calls" to enable it, then click Save at the bottom of the user profile.
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Test
Call the user's 8x8 number from an outside line. It should ring through to Ringing.io and the AI receptionist should pick up.
How to undo: Go back to Home > Users > the user > Call forwarding rules, untick "Forward all calls" (or change its destination back to voicemail), and Save.
After-hours only — Ringing.io covers nights and weekends
Add a custom recurring-schedule rule that forwards to Ringing.io only outside your business hours.
- 1
Open the user in 8x8 Admin Console
admin.8x8.com > Home > Users > select the user > Edit. Scroll to Call forwarding rules.
- 2
Click "+ Add new rule"
Below the four default rules click "+ Add new rule" and give it a clear name (e.g. "After-hours to Ringing.io").
- 3
Set the schedule to recurring
Under "When", choose "Recurring schedule". Select the days and time ranges that should be considered after-hours. 8x8 lets you stack several day/time entries — add separate entries for nights, weekends, and any other off-hours.
- 4
Set the destination
Under "Forward the calls to", choose "External number" and enter +1 + your 10-digit Ringing.io number.
- 5
Order the rule above the defaults
Make sure your new rule sits above the default "Forward all calls" rule in the list — 8x8 evaluates rules top-down and uses the first match. Tick its checkbox to enable.
- 6
Save and test
Click Save on the user. Temporarily widen the schedule to the current time and place a test call — it should route to Ringing.io. Then narrow the schedule back to your real off-hours.
How to undo: Open the user > Call forwarding rules, untick or delete the after-hours rule, and Save. The default rules will resume.
Forward only when you do not answer or are busy
Use the built-in "When user does not answer" and "When user is busy" rules to send missed and busy calls to Ringing.io.
- 1
Open the user > Call forwarding rules
admin.8x8.com > Home > Users > select the user > Edit, then scroll to Call forwarding rules.
- 2
Edit "When user does not answer"
Click Edit next to that rule. Set the timeout (default 15 seconds — choose how long your phone rings before forwarding) and set "Forward the calls to" to External number with +1 + your Ringing.io number. Save the rule.
- 3
Edit "When user is busy"
Click Edit next to "When user is busy" and set the destination the same way: External number, +1, Ringing.io. Save the rule.
- 4
Enable both rules
Tick the checkboxes for both rules in the list. Make sure "Forward all calls" is unticked so your devices ring first.
- 5
Save and test
Click Save on the user. Call your 8x8 number and let it ring without answering — after the timeout the call should arrive at Ringing.io. Repeat while on another call to test the busy condition.
How to undo: Untick the two conditional rules (or reset their destination to Voicemail) and Save.
Note: The "Forward all calls" rule overrides the conditional rules when enabled, so make sure it is unticked for this scenario to work.
Official 8x8 documentation
Provider settings change over time. If something on this page does not match what you see on 8x8, the official sources below are the source of truth.
Related forwarding guides
Switching providers, or just configuring more than one line? These are the most common neighbours of 8x8.
Google Voice
Forward your Google Voice number to Ringing.io by adding it as a linked number, or use a custom call-forwarding rule. No star codes.
RingCentral
Forward your RingCentral extension to Ringing.io using the app or Admin Portal. Native work-hours and after-hours rules supported.
Vonage Business
Forward your Vonage Business Communications extension to Ringing.io from the Admin Portal. Includes Follow Me and Simultaneous Ring options.
Grasshopper
Forward your Grasshopper extension to Ringing.io from Settings > Call Forwarding. Native time-of-day schedules and call blasting supported.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I configure call forwarding in 8x8?
In the 8x8 Admin Console at admin.8x8.com. Open Home > Users, edit a user, and scroll to "Call forwarding rules". Individual users can also customize their own forwarding from the 8x8 Work for Desktop app under Settings.
Does 8x8 support time-of-day schedules natively?
Yes. When you add a custom rule under "Call forwarding rules", choose "Recurring schedule" and pick the days and time ranges. You can also use "Specified Date/Time Period" for one-off windows like an event or holiday week.
How do I forward to an external number like Ringing.io?
In the rule editor, choose "External number" (or "Custom number") under "Forward the calls to" and enter the full number with country code — +1 followed by the 10-digit Ringing.io number for US and Canada.
Why is my rule being ignored?
Two common causes: (1) "Forward all calls" is enabled, which overrides the conditional rules — untick it; or (2) your custom rule is sitting below another matching rule in the list. 8x8 evaluates rules top-down and uses the first match, so drag your priority rule to the top.
Can a regular user set this up or does it require an admin?
Both. Admins set forwarding from the Admin Console. End users can set their own custom forwarding from the 8x8 Work for Desktop app at Settings > Call forwarding, which writes to the same rule set.
What happens if my internet drops?
8x8 has a dedicated rule "When internet connection is down" — set its destination to your Ringing.io number to make sure callers always reach the AI even during a local outage. This is one of the four default rules in every user profile.
Will SMS / chat be forwarded too?
No. Call forwarding rules redirect voice calls only. SMS to your 8x8 number continues to arrive in the 8x8 Work app. Configure SMS or messaging routing separately if needed.
Don't have a Ringing.io number yet?
Get one in five minutes, set up your AI receptionist, then come back to this page to forward 8x8.
Last verified against 8x8's official documentation: 2026-05-20. Provider procedures change over time — if this guide is out of date, email support@ringing.io and we will refresh it.