---
title: "How to Use 8x8 Work for Desktop as a Softphone"
slug: "how-to-use-8x8-work-for-desktop-as-a-softphone"
updated: 2026-05-19T11:55:19Z
published: 2026-05-21T21:27:46Z
canonical: "help.8x8.com/how-to-use-8x8-work-for-desktop-as-a-softphone"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.8x8.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Use 8x8 Work for Desktop as a Softphone

## Objective

Use 8x8 Work for Desktop as a softphone for 8x8 Contact Center.

## Applies To

- 8x8 Work for Desktop
- 8x8 Contact Center

## Procedure

8x8 Work for Desktop is available as a softphone option for 8x8 Contact Center. This allows the agent to use 8x8 Work for Desktop instead of a physical phone. Calls to the user's extension can be directed to 8x8 Work for Desktop.

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> Before you begin, ensure that your system meets the 8x8 Work for Desktop and Contact Center technical requirements. See [X Series Technical Requirements](/support/docs/x-series-technical-requirements).

### Things to Know

- Dedicated Agent Extension Mode cannot be used while using 8x8 Work for Desktop as a softphone.
  - If you wish to use Contact Center in Dedicated Agent Extension Mode, a Poly desk phone or a softphone must be used by the 8x8 Work for Desktop extension.
- Users log in to 8x8 Work for Desktop and Contact Center with the same credentials.
- Check that the **Interaction Time Out** in Contact Center is shorter than **Number of Rings** before the call is routed to voicemail.
  - If the **Number of Rings** is longer than the **Interaction Time Out**, then callers that are routed to voicemail are never routed back to the Call Queue.

### Set up 8x8 Work for Desktop as a Softphone in Configuration Manager for Contact Center

1. Log in to Configuration Manager for Contact Center.
2. Select **Agents**.
3. Click **Edit** to the right of the designated user.
4. Click the **Phone** tab.
5. Enter the user's full 8x8 Work for Desktop phone number as their **Workplace Phone**.
6. Click **Save**.

### Usability

- Agents using 8x8 Work for Desktop must log in before they can receive calls from Contact Center.
- Agents must set their status to **Available** to make and receive calls in their assigned queues in Contact Center.
- Agents must transfer calls within Contact Center or the calls will be dropped on the Contact Center side.

### Additional Information

For further information on how to configure the phone settings, refer to the [user guide](/documentation/docs/configure-phone-settings).