Inbound and outbound calling, routing, caller ID and the browser dialer

Outbound needs a number and working credentials. Inbound needs the number pointed back at the app and a rule for who picks up. The browser dialer additionally needs microphone permission, which is the failure people never guess.

Who this is for

Admins configure routing. Every agent has to grant their own browser microphone permission.

Before you begin

  • Telnyx connected and at least one voice-capable number.
  • Calling needs the Voice Connection / Call Control App ID as well as the API key. Texting works without it; the dialer does not.
  • A browser that can use your microphone, on a secure connection.

Outbound

When you place a call the system picks which of your numbers to call from. Matching the lead's area code where it can, and keeping the same number sticky to the same lead. If you only have one number, that's the one it uses.

Inbound

For an inbound call to reach the app, the number has to be pointed back at us. That happens automatically when you connect your carrier. Then the app decides who it belongs to: a known lead routes to whoever owns that lead; an unknown caller needs a fallback rule, or it has nowhere to go.

This is the part most setups skip, and it stays invisible until the first callback from someone not in your database.

The browser dialer and microphone permission

The dialer runs in your browser, which means your browser has to let it use your microphone. The first time you dial, your browser asks. If you dismiss that prompt, or you previously blocked it, calls will appear to connect while nobody can hear you.

This is browser-level and per-device, so it is not something an admin can fix for you, and it comes back if you switch computers or browsers.

How to check it worked

  • Call your own mobile from the dialer. Confirm you can hear each other, not just that the call connects.
  • Call one of your numbers from a phone that is NOT in your lead database, and confirm it goes somewhere sensible rather than nowhere.
  • Call from a phone that IS a known lead and confirm it routes to the agent who owns that lead.

Common mistakes

  • Testing outbound only. Inbound is a separate path and fails separately.
  • Never testing an unknown inbound caller, so the first real one is a live discovery.
  • Blocking the microphone prompt and then reporting the dialer as broken.
  • Assuming a setup that texts can also call. Calling needs the Voice Connection / Call Control App ID too.

Troubleshooting

Call connects but nobody can hear meBrowser microphone permission was denied or dismissed.
Open your browser's site permissions for this site, set Microphone to Allow, and reload. Re-check after switching browser or computer.
Texting works but the dialer will not place a callThe Voice Connection / Call Control App ID is missing. The API key alone covers texting, not calling.
Add it on the Phone numbers page, in the Connect your carrier card, and save.
Inbound calls go nowhereNo fallback rule for callers who aren't a known lead.
Set a fallback agent so unknown inbound has an owner.

Related

Where this lives in the app

This is documentation for Virtual Closer. Book a walkthrough or sign in.