> ## 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. # Gatekeeper (Call Screening) > Screen calls before answering to know who's calling and why ## 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 **Also known as:** Call screening, pre-answering, whisper *** ## How it works ### For you 1. **Call comes in** - Your phone rings 2. **Caller announces themselves** - You see their name and reason on screen 3. **You decide** - Answer or decline 4. **Call connects** - If you answer, caller hears nothing about screening ### For the caller 1. **Call connects** - Brief pause 2. **AI asks** - "Please state your name and reason for calling" 3. **Caller responds** - Speaks their name 4. **Waiting** - Brief hold while you decide 5. **Call connects** - If you answer, conversation begins normally Callers hear professional AI voice. They don't know you're screening the call. *** ## Setup Gatekeeper Go to Settings in Allo app Tap "Spam Blocker" option Toggle "Activate Gatekeeper" at the top Edit the message callers hear (optional) Choose who gets screened: * All callers * Unknown numbers only * Numbers not in contacts Choose who can bypass screening: * All contacts * Favorites only *** ## Configuration options ## 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 **Favorites only:** * Only starred contacts bypass * Most others still screened * Best for VIP access ### Mark favorites 1. Open contact profile 2. Tap star icon at top 3. Contact now bypasses Gatekeeper Favorites also bypass: * Business hours restrictions * IVR menu * Do Not Disturb (on some setups) ## Personalize screening message **Default message:**\ "Please state your name and reason for calling." **Custom examples:** **Professional:**\ "Thank you for calling \[Your Name]. Please state your name and the purpose of your call." **Brief:**\ "Please say your name." **Detailed:**\ "You've reached \[Company]. To help us direct your call, please state your name and how we can help you today." **Setup:** 1. Gatekeeper settings 2. Tap "Customize message" 3. Write your message 4. AI reads it automatically 5. Test by calling yourself ## What happens after screening **If you answer:** * Call connects immediately * Caller doesn't hear screening process * Conversation begins naturally **If you decline:** * Call goes to voicemail or virtual receptionist * Caller can leave message * You receive notification **If you don't respond:** * After 20 seconds, goes to voicemail or virtual receptionist * Timeout is adjustable * Same as normal missed call **If caller hangs up:** * Logged as missed call * You receive notification * No voicemail recorded *** ## See caller information ### During screening **Your screen shows:** * Caller's stated name (transcribed) * Their reason for calling * Phone number * Accept or Decline buttons **Example display:** ``` Incoming Call 📞 +1 (555) 123-4567 "Hi, this is John from ABC Company calling about your recent inquiry." [Accept] [Decline] ``` ### 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 **Result:**\ 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 **Result:**\ 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 **Result:**\ 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 **Not ideal for:** * 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 **Professional message:**\ "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 **Gatekeeper + IVR:** * IVR routes known callers * Gatekeeper screens unknowns * Professional multi-layer approach **Gatekeeper + Favorites:** * VIPs always get through * Others must announce * Balanced accessibility *** ## Troubleshooting **Solutions:** * Add frequent contacts to favorites * Use "unknown numbers only" mode * Customize message to be friendlier * Explain it's professional security **Alternative:**\ Turn off Gatekeeper for main business line, keep it on personal line. **Check:** * Volume is up * Transcription is working * Caller actually spoke * Not in silent mode **Common issue:**\ Caller hangs up before speaking. They may not understand the prompt. **Solution:**\ Use clearer custom message explaining what to do. **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 **Refresh:** Remove star and re-add to refresh settings. **Check:** * Feature is toggled on * Not overridden by business hours * Caller is not a favorite * Number is configured correctly **Test:** Call from unknown number to verify. **Important:**\ 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 **Alternative:**\ 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 | - | **Choose:** IVR for routing, Gatekeeper for screening ### 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 | **Choose:** Gatekeeper for selective screening, DND for no calls ### Gatekeeper vs. Business Hours | Feature | Gatekeeper | Business Hours | | ----------------- | ---------- | -------------- | | Active when | Always | Time-based | | Caller experience | Screen | Auto-route | | You control | Each call | Schedule | **Choose:** Both - Gatekeeper during hours, auto-route outside hours *** ## Related features Time-based call handling Route calls by menu Declined calls go to voicemail Team call distribution