Before you start
Make sure Rylo has notification permissions on your device, otherwise you won't receive alerts for incoming calls.
To enable notifications: open your device Settings > find Rylo > turn on Notifications.
Or see the full guide: "How to enable notifications for Rylo".
Receive calls on your existing phone number
This is the most seamless option. By activating call forwarding, all calls to your regular number are automatically routed through Rylo and captioned.
How to activate:
1. Launch the Rylo app.
2. Tap the Settings tab.
3. Tap the yellow banner: Use Rylo for Incoming Calls.
4. Choose your carrier and follow the on-screen prompts.
Once incoming calls are enabled, all your calls will automatically be captioned — no extra steps needed each time.
If your carrier isn't listed or you get an error
1. Confirm your plan includes call forwarding.
2. Use your carrier's own instructions to activate call forwarding manually.
Need help? Contact support from within the app: Settings > Get Support. Include your carrier name so we can assist you faster.
💡 To make outgoing calls from your existing number too, go to Settings > Phone Number and toggle on Caller ID.
Receive calls on your Rylo number
If you prefer not to set up call forwarding, you can still use Rylo for incoming calls — just share your Rylo number with the people you want to receive calls from.
How it works
- Give callers your Rylo number (find it in Settings > Phone Number).
- When someone calls your Rylo number, you'll receive a captioned incoming call in the app.
Note: Calls to your original phone number will not be captioned unless you activate call forwarding.
Which option should I use?
- Want captions on all calls without changing anything? → Use Receive calls on your existing phone number
- Only want captions for specific callers, or not ready to set up forwarding? → Use Receive calls on your Rylo number
- Want the full replacement experience? → See "How to make Rylo your default phone app" for complete setup.