Frequently Asked Question

FreePBX Feature Codes
Last Updated about an hour ago

FreePBX feature codes are short dial strings used from an extension to control PBX functions such as call forwarding, Do Not Disturb, call pickup, voicemail access and queue membership.

Important notes

  • Some codes only work during an active call. These do not normally clash with the same digits dialled when the phone is idle.
  • Some codes are prefixes, which means extra digits are dialled after the code.
  • Not every code is available on every system. Codes appear only if the relevant FreePBX module or feature is installed and enabled.
  • Codes can be changed to avoid conflicts with:
  • handset star codes
  • carrier star codes
  • internal numbering plans
  • custom dial-plan logic

Quick reference by category

In-call control and call pickup

Code Feature What it does Typical use
** Directed Call Pickup Picks up a specific ringing extension. Usually dial ** followed by the ringing extension number. Example: dial **201 to answer a call ringing on extension 201.
## In-Call Asterisk Blind Transfer Performs a blind transfer while already on a call. Transfer a caller without speaking to the destination first.
** In-Call Asterisk Disconnect Code Disconnects the current call leg during an active call. Used while already connected to a call.
* Direct Dial Prefix Legacy direct-dial prefix used to force direct internal dialling in some setups. Rarely used on modern systems. Mainly relevant on older or specially configured systems.
*1 In-Call Asterisk Toggle Call Recording Starts or stops on-demand recording of the current call. Useful when ad-hoc recording is allowed.
*2 In-Call Asterisk Attended Transfer Starts an attended transfer while already on a call. Speak to the destination before completing the transfer.
*8 Asterisk General Call Pickup Picks up a ringing call from the same pickup group or a permitted ringing extension. Useful in shared office or reception areas.
*80 Intercom Prefix Prefix before an extension to place an intercom or auto-answer call, if supported by the phone and enabled on the extension. Example: dial *80201 to intercom extension 201.
*85 Pickup ParkedCall Prefix Retrieves a parked call, usually by dialling the code plus the park slot. Example: dial *85701 to retrieve a call parked in slot 701.

Personal call handling

Code Feature What it does Typical use
*21 Find Me/Follow Me Toggle Enables or disables Find Me/Follow Me for the current extension. Toggle follow-me without using the web interface.
*52 Call Forward No Answer/Unavailable Activate Enables forwarding when the extension is not answered or unavailable. Send missed calls to another extension or number.
*53 Call Forward No Answer/Unavailable Deactivate Disables no-answer/unavailable forwarding. Return the extension to normal ringing.
*70 Call Waiting Activate Enables call waiting for the extension. Receive a second call while already on a call.
*71 Call Waiting Deactivate Disables call waiting for the extension. Prevent call waiting interruptions.
*72 Call Forward All Activate Enables immediate forwarding of all calls. Forward all calls to reception, mobile or voicemail.
*73 Call Forward All Deactivate Disables immediate forwarding of all calls. Restore normal direct ringing.
*74 Call Forward All Prompting Deactivate Interactive version of deactivating Call Forward All. Useful where the prompting versions are preferred.
*76 DND Toggle Toggles Do Not Disturb on or off. Quick status change from the handset.
*78 DND Activate Enables Do Not Disturb. Send calls away without ringing the extension.
*79 DND Deactivate Disables Do Not Disturb. Return the extension to normal call handling.
*90 Call Forward Busy Activate Enables forwarding only when the extension is busy. Forward busy calls to another destination.
*91 Call Forward Busy Deactivate Disables busy forwarding. Restore normal busy behaviour.
*92 Call Forward Busy Prompting Deactivate Interactive version of disabling busy forwarding. Useful where prompted control is required.
*93 Call Forward All Prompting Activate Interactive version of enabling Call Forward All. The system prompts for the destination. Often the easiest user-friendly way to set unconditional forwarding.
*94 Call Forward Busy Prompting Activate Interactive version of enabling busy forwarding. The system prompts for the destination. Set a busy-only diversion from the handset.
*95 Call Forward No Answer/Unavailable Prompting Activate Interactive version of enabling no-answer/unavailable forwarding. The system prompts for the destination. Set forwarding without using the portal.
*96 Call Forward Toggle Toggles call forwarding on or off for the extension. Quick switch where forwarding is already configured.

Intercom and user permissions

Code Feature What it does Typical use
*54 User Intercom Allow Allows the extension to receive intercom or auto-answer calls. Enable paging/intercom to the handset.
*55 User Intercom Disallow Prevents the extension from receiving intercom or auto-answer calls. Useful for privacy or shared offices.

Voicemail and notifications

Code Feature What it does Typical use
*56 Missed Call Notification Activate Enables missed call notifications for the extension. Receive notification of unanswered calls.
*57 Missed Call Notification Deactivate Disables missed call notifications. Stop notification messages or alerts.
*58 Missed Call Notification Toggle Toggles missed call notifications on or off. Quick handset control.
*97 My Voicemail Opens the voicemail box for the current extension, usually without asking for a mailbox number. Most common voicemail access method for users.
*98 Dial Voicemail Opens the voicemail system and typically allows entry of any mailbox number. Used for shared phones, administration or checking another mailbox with permission.

Contact management, lists and caller controls

Code Feature What it does Typical use
*10 Contact Manager Speed Dials Accesses Contact Manager speed-dial entries. Dial centrally managed speed-dial contacts.
*30 Blacklist a Number Adds a number to the blacklist. Block nuisance or unwanted callers.
*31 Remove a Number from the Blacklist Removes a number from the blacklist. Unblock a previously blocked number.
*32 Blacklist the Last Caller Adds the most recent caller to the blacklist. Quick nuisance-call blocking after a call ends.
*38 Add a Number to the Allowlist Adds a number to the allowlist. Permit trusted numbers through allowlist filtering.
*39 Remove a Number from the Allowlist Removes a number from the allowlist. Revoke allowlist permission.
*40 Add the Last Caller to the Allowlist Adds the most recent caller to the allowlist. Useful after screening or temporary blocking rules.
*41 Pause or Unpause Allowlist Checking Temporarily suspends or restores allowlist enforcement. Useful for testing or temporary relaxed filtering.
*69 Call Trace Records details of the last inbound call for tracing or investigation, where supported. Often used for nuisance or abusive calls.

Dictation, testing and utility services

Code Feature What it does Typical use
*34 Perform Dictation Starts the dictation feature. Record a spoken note for later review or transcription workflow.
*35 Email Completed Dictation Marks dictation as complete and sends it by email. Finish and send a dictated recording.
*43 Echo Test Plays back what is spoken into the phone. Test handset audio, latency and one-way audio issues.
*60 Speaking Clock Announces the current system time. Check PBX time configuration from a handset.
*65 Speak Your Exten Number Announces the extension number of the phone being used. Useful on hot-desks or newly deployed handsets.
*68 Wake Up Calls Programmes, checks or cancels a wake-up call, depending on module behaviour. Common in hospitality or shared accommodation environments.
666 Dial System FAX Routes the call to the system fax service if configured. Used where inbound or manual fax handling is still required.
7777 Simulate Incoming Call Generates a simulated inbound call for testing. Useful for testing inbound routes, IVRs and announcements.

Queue and conference features

Code Feature What it does Typical use
*45 Queue Dynamic Member Login/Logout Logs a dynamic queue member in or out of assigned queues. Agents use this to start or finish queue work.
*46 Queue Pause Toggle Pauses or unpauses an agent in the queue without logging out. Temporarily stop receiving queue calls.
*47 Playback Queue Caller Count Announces how many callers are waiting in the queue. Agents or supervisors can quickly check queue load.
*87 Conference Status Announces or reports conference-room status, depending on the conferencing module in use. Check whether a conference is active or how many users are present.

Special cases and behaviour

The code ** appears twice

This is normal because FreePBX can treat the same digits differently depending on call state:

  • When the phone is idle, is commonly used for Directed Call Pickup**
  • When the phone is already on a call, can be the in-call disconnect** code

Prefix codes need extra digits

The following usually need more input after the code:

  • ** for directed pickup, usually followed by an extension
  • *80 for intercom, followed by an extension
  • *85 for parked-call retrieval, followed by a park slot
  • * direct dial prefix, where used
  • forwarding codes may prompt for a destination, depending on how they are configured

Prompting vs non-prompting call forward codes

FreePBX often provides both:

  • standard activation/deactivation codes
  • prompting versions

The prompting versions are usually easier for users because the PBX asks for the forwarding destination or confirms the action with prompts.

Where to edit feature codes in FreePBX 17

In FreePBX 17, feature codes are edited in the Feature Codes module.

Typical steps

  1. Sign in to the FreePBX Administration GUI.
  2. Use the menu search and open Feature Codes.
  3. If your menu layout shows classic navigation, it is usually under:
   Admin > Feature Codes
  1. Expand the relevant module section, such as:
  • Core
  • Voicemail
  • Queues
  • Call Forward
  • Dictation
  • Contact Manager
  1. For each code, you can usually:
  • enable or disable it
  • change the dial string
  • review which module provides it
  1. Click Submit.
  2. Click Apply Config to reload the dial plan.

Good practice when changing feature codes

  • Avoid using codes that clash with:
  • external dial prefixes
  • handset local star codes
  • SIP phone programmable services
  • carrier supplementary-service codes
  • Keep a consistent pattern for users, for example:
  • *7x for DND and call waiting
  • *9x for forwarding
  • Update any user guides, wall charts or BLF keys after making changes.
  • Test from a real handset after applying changes.
  • If a code is missing, check whether the related module is installed and enabled.

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