> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.withallo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Business Hours
> Set when you're available and what happens outside hours
## What are business hours
Business hours define when you're available to take calls. Outside these hours, calls automatically route to voicemail, your AI Receptionist, or another destination.
**Benefits:**
* Professional boundaries
* Automatic after-hours handling
* No missed calls
* Work-life balance
***
## Setup business hours
Go to Settings in the Allo app
Tap "Business Hours" option
Toggle "Activate Business Hours" at the top
For each day:
* Toggle day on/off
* Set opening time
* Set closing time
* Repeat for all days
Choose what happens when you're unavailable:
* Send to voicemail
* Forward to another number
* Route to AI Receptionist (Business plan)
* Play custom message
Changes apply immediately
***
## How it works
### During business hours
**Calls ring normally:**
* Your phone rings as usual
* You can answer or decline
* Standard call handling applies
### Outside business hours
**Calls route automatically:**
* No ringing on your phone
* Caller hears your message
* Call goes to chosen destination
* You receive notification
**Caller experience:**
1. Dials your number
2. Hears greeting message
3. Routed to voicemail or other destination
4. Can leave message or follow instructions
***
## Configuration options
## Set different hours per day
Configure each day independently.
**Example schedule:**
| Day | Status | Hours |
| --------- | ------ | ----------------- |
| Monday | Open | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Open | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Open | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | Open | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday | Open | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed | - |
| Sunday | Closed | - |
*You can also set split shifts if needed.*
## Send to voicemail
Default option for outside hours.
**What happens:**
* Caller hears greeting
* Prompted to leave message
* Voicemail transcribed automatically
* You receive notification
**Customize greeting:** "You've reached \[Your Name]. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Please leave a message and we'll return your call during business hours."
[Customize voicemail message](/en/features/voicemail)
## Forward to another number
Route calls to mobile, home, or colleague.
**Setup:**
1. Choose "Forward to another number"
2. Enter destination number
3. Include country code
4. Test forwarding
**Use cases:**
* Forward to personal mobile
* Route to on-call team member
* Send to answering service
* Redirect to home office
Forwarded calls use the destination carrier. Standard rates may apply.
## AI Receptionist (Business plan)
Intelligent after-hours handling.
**What it does:**
* Answers calls professionally
* Provides business information
* Takes messages
* Qualifies urgency
* Schedules callbacks
**Configure:**
1. Enable AI Receptionist
2. Add after-hours instructions
3. Specify emergency handling
4. Test with sample call
**Example script:**\
"Thank you for calling \[Company]. Our office is currently closed. I can help answer questions about our services or take a message for our team."
[Setup AI Receptionist](/en/features/virtual-receptionist)
## Play announcement only
Inform callers without taking messages.
**What happens:**
* Caller hears your message
* Call ends automatically
* No voicemail option
* No recording
**Use cases:**
* Closed for holidays
* Emergency closure
* Temporary unavailability
* Directory information only
**Example message:**\
"Thank you for calling \[Company]. We're closed for the holiday and will reopen on Monday, January 6th at 9 AM."
***
## Special configurations
### Holidays and exceptions
**Temporary closures:**
Close for specific dates without changing weekly schedule.
**How to handle:**
1. Create custom voicemail message
2. Temporarily disable business hours
3. Re-enable after holiday
Dedicated holiday calendar coming soon.
### Multiple time zones
**For distributed teams:**
Each team member sets their own business hours on their own phone numbers based on local time zone.
**Best practice:**
* Document team coverage hours
* Use cascade routing across time zones
* Set main number business hours to longest coverage window
***
## Bypass options
### Allow favorites through
Let important contacts reach you anytime.
**Setup:**
1. Business Hours settings
2. Scroll to "Who can bypass"
3. Choose bypass level:
* All contacts
* Favorites only
* No one
**Mark favorites:**
1. Open contact
2. Tap star icon
3. Now they bypass business hours
[Learn about favorites](/en/features/gatekeeper#bypass-gatekeeper)
### Emergency access
**For critical situations:**
Provide an emergency bypass number.
**Use IVR option:**\
"If this is an emergency, press 9 to reach on-call support."
[Setup IVR menu](/en/features/ivr)
***
## Troubleshooting
**Check:**
* Business hours are activated (toggle at top)
* Schedule is saved
* Time zone is correct
* Current time falls outside set hours
**Test:** Temporarily set hours to closed now and call yourself.
**Verify:**
* Contact is marked with star
* Bypass setting is "Favorites only" or "All contacts"
* Contact is saved in Allo (not just phone)
**Re-add:** Remove star and re-add to refresh.
**Check:**
* Business hours show as "open" for current day/time
* Phone is not on Do Not Disturb
* You're not on another call
* Internet connection is active
[Connection troubleshooting](/en/support/common-issues#connection-problems)
**Verify:**
* Destination number is correct
* Includes country code
* Number can receive forwarded calls
* No typos in number
**Test:** Call destination number directly first.
**Allo uses your device time zone:**
* Check phone Settings > General > Date & Time
* Enable "Set Automatically"
* Restart Allo app
**For teams:** Each member's hours use their local time zone.
***
## Related features
Customize your voicemail greeting
Intelligent after-hours handling
Route calls to team members
Create press 1 for sales menu