--- title: "Set up an Auto Attendant in 8x8 Admin Console" slug: "set-up-an-auto-attendant-in-8x8-admin-console" updated: 2026-09-11T14:38:38Z published: 2026-09-11T14:38:38Z canonical: "help.8x8.com/set-up-an-auto-attendant-in-8x8-admin-console" --- > ## 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. # Set up an Auto Attendant in 8x8 Admin Console ### Objective Create and configure an Auto Attendant in the 8x8 Admin Console to automatically answer and route incoming calls. ### Applies To - 8x8 Admin Console - Auto Attendant --- ## Overview An Auto Attendant acts as a virtual receptionist. It answers incoming calls and guides callers using menu options such as “Press 1 for Sales.”Auto Attendants can: - Route calls automatically - Replace or supplement a live receptionist - Route calls differently based on: - Business hours - After-hours - Weekends - Holidays - Special business exceptions (for example, company offsites) --- ## Plan Your Auto Attendant Before setting up your Auto Attendant, plan the following: ### 1. Identify Which Calls the Auto Attendant Will Handle - Will all inbound calls go to the Auto Attendant? - Or only calls that a live receptionist cannot answer? - Should call routing change based on time of day? ### 2. Define Menu Options - What options will callers hear? - Will you need sub-menus for more complex routing? ### 3. Decide Call Routing - Where should calls go when a key is pressed? - Individual users - Ring Groups - Call Queues - Voicemail - External phone numbers - What should happen if a call is not answered? ### 4. Prepare the Greeting Script - Write the spoken menu prompt. - Decide whether multiple languages are required. --- ## Pre-Configuration Requirements Before creating the Auto Attendant: 1. Log in to the [8x8 Admin Console.](https://sso.8x8.com/v2/login) 2. Set up any required: - User profiles - Ring Groups - Call Queues - Extension forwarding rules --- ## Create the Auto Attendant ### Step 1: Start the Auto Attendant Setup 1. In [Admin Console,](https://sso.8x8.com/v2/login) click **Auto Attendants**. 2. Click + **Create Auto Attendant**. --- ### Step 2: Enter Auto Attendant Details Complete the required fields: - **Name** - **Site** - **Extension number** - **Time zone** - **Language** --- ### Step 3: Configure the Schedule 1. Under **Business Hours**, select **Create new schedule**. 2. Click the **pencil icon** next to a day of the week to edit it. 3. Select whether the business is **Open** or **Closed**. 4. If open: - Set the **From** and **To** hours of operation. - Hours follow the Auto Attendant’s selected time zone. 5. Click **Save**. 6. Repeat these steps for each day of the week. 7. Click **Save** when finished. This schedule allows different call behavior during and outside business hours. --- ### Step 4: Select an Auto Attendant Greeting Choose one of the following greeting options: - **Text-to-Speech:** Type a prompt that is read by an automated voice - **Default Greeting** - **Upload a Pre-recorded Greeting** - **Record a Greeting by Phone** --- ### Step 5: Configure Auto Attendant Menu Rules 1. Create menu rules that define what happens when callers press specific keys. 2. Assign actions such as: - Ringing a user - Sending calls to a Ring Group or Call Queue - Forwarding calls to voicemail or an external number > [!NOTE] > Note: > > You must select a **Site** before you can create Auto Attendant menu rules. ### FAQ: **Q: Can I play a temporary message telling callers we are busy and will call them back?** A: No. Auto Attendants do not support temporary pause message **Workaround**: Forward calls to voicemail and record a custom voicemail message. **Q: Can I transfer a call from the Auto Attendant?** A: Auto Attendants do not support call transfer. **Alternative**: [Use call forwarding to route calls.](/support/docs/set-up-call-forwarding-in-8x8-admin-console) **Q: Can an Auto Attendant ring multiple users at the same time?** A: Yes. [Create a Ring Group](/support/docs/voicemail-set-up-ring-groups-in-8x8-admin-console) and route Auto Attendant calls to it. Ring Groups allow you to define: - Group members - Ring order or pattern **Q: Does an Auto Attendant require a license?** No. Auto Attendants do not use licenses. Licenses are assigned only to the extensions or users that receive the calls. **Q: Can the Auto Attendant answer after the first ring?** A: Yes. Adjust the [Ring Timer](/support/docs/increase-the-ring-timer-in-8x8-admin-console) on the destination extensions to control when calls are answered. **Q: Can the Auto Attendant send text or reservation messages?** A: No. Auto Attendants only route voice calls and do not send SMS messages. Refer to the [SMS FAQ](/support/docs/8x8-work-sms-faq) for messaging features. **Q: Can I give someone read-only access to the Auto Attendant?** A: No. Read-only access is not available in Admin Console. You can restrict access by adjusting [user permissions.](/support/docs/assigning-roles-to-an-x-series-user) **Q: Is there a limit to how many phone numbers can be assigned to an Auto Attendant?** A: No. There is no limit to the number of direct phone numbers that can be assigned to an Auto Attendant or IVR. **Q: How can I test my Auto Attendant?** A: Call the configured phone number to verify that calls route as expected. This is the recommended best practice. **Q: Will the browser version of VCC and the Admin Console automatically update?** A: Yes, any updates with Contact Center and Admin Console will automatically update. **Q: Can I get a transcript of the current Auto Attendant greeting?** A: No. 8x8 does not provide greeting transcripts. Alternative: Use a third-party transcription or AI tool to transcribe the audio. **Q: How to assign ring groups and auto attendants to a department?** A: Associating Ring Groups and Auto Attendants with departments is not a feature 8x8 Supports. However, you can have internal documentation for your company that defines which site, extension, etc., is associated with each department. **Q: Can I set up incoming call authentication to verify the caller's identity on the system?** A: No, this is not a supported feature in 8x8 for either the Auto Attendant. **Q: How can I transfer unanswered calls to the company directory?** A: You can alter the Ring No Answer Forward behavior to forward an Auto Attendant that goes to the company directory. However, this would disable voicemail.