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.
What is Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper screens incoming calls by asking unknown callers to state their name and reason for calling. You see this information before deciding to answer. Benefits:- Know who’s calling before answering
- Filter sales and spam calls
- Control your time
- Professional call screening
How it works
For you
- Call comes in - Your phone rings
- Caller announces themselves - You see their name and reason on screen
- You decide - Answer or decline
- Call connects - If you answer, caller hears nothing about screening
For the caller
- Call connects - Brief pause
- AI asks - “Please state your name and reason for calling”
- Caller responds - Speaks their name
- Waiting - Brief hold while you decide
- Call connects - If you answer, conversation begins normally
Callers hear professional AI voice. They don’t know you’re screening the call.
Setup Gatekeeper
Configure who to screen
Choose who gets screened:
- All callers
- Unknown numbers only
- Numbers not in contacts
Configuration options
- Bypass Rules
- Custom Messages
- Response Handling
Let important contacts skip
Allow certain people to bypass Gatekeeper entirely.All contacts:- Anyone in your Allo contacts
- Ring directly without screening
- Good for known relationships
- Only starred contacts bypass
- Most others still screened
- Best for VIP access
Mark favorites
- Open contact profile
- Tap star icon at top
- Contact now bypasses Gatekeeper
- Business hours restrictions
- IVR menu
- Do Not Disturb (on some setups)
See caller information
During screening
Your screen shows:- Caller’s stated name (transcribed)
- Their reason for calling
- Phone number
- Accept or Decline buttons
After the call
Call log includes:- What they said during screening
- Full recording if you answered
- Transcript if you answered
- Your decision (answered/declined)
Common use cases
Filter sales calls
Scenario:Multiple daily sales calls interrupting work. Setup:
- Enable Gatekeeper for unknown numbers
- Mark important contacts as favorites
- Decline obvious sales pitches
See “This is David calling about your extended car warranty” → Decline
Professional availability
Scenario:Need to know caller urgency before answering. Setup:
- Screen all callers
- Custom message asks for urgency
- Prioritize based on screening
Client emergency → Answer immediately
Routine question → Schedule callback
Focus time protection
Scenario:Deep work sessions, only answer critical calls. Setup:
- Gatekeeper on
- Only favorites bypass
- Decline non-urgent screenings
Maintain focus, catch up on calls later.
Best practices
When to use Gatekeeper
Good for:- High call volume
- Unknown callers
- Work-life boundaries
- Spam prevention
- Priority management
- Customer support lines (use IVR instead)
- Emergency services
- Sales teams (may lose leads)
- When you want all calls
Communication tips
Tell important contacts:- You use call screening
- Ask them to state name clearly
- Reassure it’s professional security
- Add them to favorites if needed
“For security, we screen incoming calls. Please state your name clearly when prompted.”
Combine features
Gatekeeper + Business Hours:- Gatekeeper during business hours
- Voicemail outside hours
- Best of both worlds
- IVR routes known callers
- Gatekeeper screens unknowns
- Professional multi-layer approach
- VIPs always get through
- Others must announce
- Balanced accessibility
Troubleshooting
Callers complain about screening
Callers complain about screening
Solutions:
Turn off Gatekeeper for main business line, keep it on personal line.
- Add frequent contacts to favorites
- Use “unknown numbers only” mode
- Customize message to be friendlier
- Explain it’s professional security
Turn off Gatekeeper for main business line, keep it on personal line.
Can't hear what caller said
Can't hear what caller said
Check:
Caller hangs up before speaking. They may not understand the prompt.Solution:
Use clearer custom message explaining what to do.
- Volume is up
- Transcription is working
- Caller actually spoke
- Not in silent mode
Caller hangs up before speaking. They may not understand the prompt.Solution:
Use clearer custom message explaining what to do.
Favorites still getting screened
Favorites still getting screened
Verify:
- Contact is marked with star (favorite)
- Bypass setting is “Favorites” or “All contacts”
- Contact is saved in Allo (not just phone)
- Using correct phone number
Gatekeeper not activating
Gatekeeper not activating
Check:
- Feature is toggled on
- Not overridden by business hours
- Caller is not a favorite
- Number is configured correctly
Conflicts with IVR
Conflicts with IVR
Important:
You cannot use Gatekeeper and IVR menu at the same time on the same number.Choose one:
Use IVR on main line, Gatekeeper on direct lines.
You cannot use Gatekeeper and IVR menu at the same time on the same number.Choose one:
- IVR for routing known callers
- Gatekeeper for screening unknowns
Use IVR on main line, Gatekeeper on direct lines.
Gatekeeper vs. other features
Gatekeeper vs. IVR
| Feature | Gatekeeper | IVR |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Screen individual calls | Route by department |
| Caller action | Speak name | Press number |
| Best for | Unknown callers | Known routing |
| Can combine | No | - |
Gatekeeper vs. Do Not Disturb
| Feature | Gatekeeper | Do Not Disturb |
|---|---|---|
| Calls ring | Yes | No |
| You decide | Per call | Blocks all |
| Caller knows | No | Possibly |
| Bypass option | Favorites | Favorites |
Gatekeeper vs. Business Hours
| Feature | Gatekeeper | Business Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Active when | Always | Time-based |
| Caller experience | Screen | Auto-route |
| You control | Each call | Schedule |
Related features
Business hours
Time-based call handling
IVR menu
Route calls by menu
Voicemail
Declined calls go to voicemail
Call routing
Team call distribution