In FreePBX 17, a blind transfer sends the caller to another destination immediately, without first speaking to the person or service receiving the call. The default in-call feature code for this is ##. This code is normally used during an active call, from a desk handset or a softphone keypad.

What ## does

A blind transfer with ##:

• moves the current caller to another extension, ring group, queue, voicemail access point or external number
• disconnects the transferring user from the call as soon as the transfer is completed
• does not wait for the destination to answer
• relies on the destination’s normal behaviour if unanswered, such as voicemail, forwarding or timeout rules

This is different from an attended transfer, where the recipient is spoken to before the call is passed on.

When to use it

Blind transfer is useful when:

• the caller already knows who they need
• the destination is a department, queue or ring group
• no introduction is needed
• speed is more important than confirming the recipient is available

Standard blind transfer steps using ##

Use these steps for the most common FreePBX 17 setup:

1. Be on an active call.
2. Open the phone keypad or softphone dial pad.
3. Dial ##.
4. Dial the destination number exactly as it would normally be dialled from the extension.
5. If the device requires it, press Dial, Send, Call, Transfer or # to submit the digits.
6. The call is passed away from the extension and the transferring user is disconnected from it.

Examples

Transfer to another extension

To transfer a live caller to extension 203:

• dial ##203

If the phone waits for more digits, use:

• ##203#

Transfer to a ring group or queue

To transfer a live caller to ring group 600:

• dial ##600

To transfer to queue 500:

• dial ##500

Transfer to an external number

To transfer a live caller to an outside number, dial it in the same format normally used from the extension.

Examples:

• ##01234567890
• ##901234567890

The exact format depends on the system’s outbound dialling rules.

Using ## from a desk handset

On most physical IP handsets:

1. Answer or make the call.
2. While connected, use the numeric keypad.
3. Dial ##.
4. Dial the destination.
5. Press Send, Dial or # if the handset does not automatically process the digits.

Important note about the handset Transfer button

Many desk phones have a dedicated Transfer key. That key may use the phone’s own transfer method rather than FreePBX’s ## feature code.

For the specific FreePBX ## method, the most reliable approach is usually:

• stay on the active call screen
• use the keypad/dial pad
• enter ## and the destination manually

If pressing the handset’s Transfer button opens a transfer dial screen, entering ## followed by the destination there may also work, but behaviour varies by manufacturer and model.

Using ## from a softphone

On most desktop or mobile softphones:

1. During the live call, open the in-call keypad or dial pad.
2. Enter ##.
3. Enter the destination.
4. Tap Send, Call, Transfer or # if needed.

If the softphone has both:

• a built-in transfer function, and
• an in-call keypad

the ## method should normally be entered through the in-call keypad, not through the app’s own transfer wizard, unless the app is known to support PBX feature-code transfers in that screen.

What the caller experiences

During a blind transfer, the caller may hear:

• a brief pause
• hold music
• ringing
• the destination greeting or voicemail

The exact experience depends on what they are transferred to.

What happens if the destination does not answer

Because this is a blind transfer:

• the transferring user is no longer on the call
• the caller follows the destination’s normal no-answer handling

That may include:

• voicemail
• call forwarding
• queue timeout handling
• ring group failover
• an announcement or busy tone

Points to remember

• ## is usually the default blind transfer code in FreePBX, but it can be changed by system configuration.
• It normally only works while already on a call.
• The destination must be dialled in the same way it would normally be dialled from the extension.
• Some phones need a final # or a Send/Dial press to stop waiting for extra digits.
• Blind transfer is immediate; there is no opportunity to speak to the recipient first.

Common problems

Nothing happens when ## is dialled

Possible causes:

• the device is not sending DTMF correctly
• the softphone keypad is not the in-call keypad
• the phone is intercepting the digits with its own transfer feature
• the feature code has been changed from ##

The phone’s Transfer key behaves differently

This usually means the handset is using its own SIP transfer function instead of the FreePBX feature code. Use the live-call keypad and dial:

• ## plus the destination

The transfer does not complete until extra input is given

Some devices wait to see if more digits are coming. In that case:

• press # after the destination, or
• press the device’s Send or Dial key

Internal transfers work but external ones do not

This is usually related to outbound dialling permissions or number format. The external number must be entered exactly as permitted for the extension.

Quick reference

During a live call:

1. Open keypad
2. Dial ##
3. Dial destination
4. Press # or Send if needed

Examples:

• ##203
• ##600
• ##01234567890
• ##901234567890

That is the standard end-user method for blind transfer with ## in FreePBX 17.