---
title: "Get a Business Phone Number for calls and texts"
description: "Get a Business Phone Number in AI Receptionist for $39.95 a month on any paid plan; US texting needs a one-time registration."
canonical: "https://www.buildy.ai/docs/agents/business-phone-number"
last_updated: "2026-10-28"
---

# Get a Business Phone Number for calls and texts

A Business Phone Number gives your project calls and texts. Your AI Receptionist answers calls to it, follow-ups and broadcasts text and call from it, and customers can text you back. Get it in **AI Receptionist > Business Phone Number**. It is on every paid plan.

## Steps

1. Open **AI Receptionist** and click **Business Phone Number**.
2. Pick the **Number country**. For a US number you can enter a **Preferred area code (optional)**. Click **Find numbers**, pick a number, and click **Subscribe**.
3. Calls work right away. Your [AI Receptionist](/docs/agents/ai-receptionist) answers them while **Answer calls** is on.
4. For US texting, complete the three steps under **Enable SMS texting**: **Connect a business email**, **Register your business** (**Registered business**, or **Just me (sole proprietor)**), and **Submit your campaign**. Carrier approval can take several business days.
5. Once texting is active, SMS appears as a channel in broadcasts and follow-ups.

UK and Australian numbers need a short review of your business details before you get the number. Texting is included, with no registration.

## Answer calls in your browser

Once your Business Phone Number is ready for incoming calls, the phone button shows **Available** or **Unavailable** beside its icon. On a computer, it is in the project header. On a phone, open the navigation menu at the top left to find it.

Click the button and select **Available** to take calls in Buildy. Allow microphone access when asked. When a call rings, click **Answer** to speak to the caller. Select **Unavailable** when you cannot take calls.

## Prices

| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Phone number | $39.95 per month, includes $25 of calls and texts balance each month |
| Extra number in another country | $29.95 per month |
| Balance top-up | $50 |
| US brand registration | $9.95 one time |
| US campaign registration | $49.95 one time |

Calls and texts are billed from your calls and texts balance as you use them. The Max plan includes a coupon for the first month free. Registration fees are not refunded.

## Add funds and auto top-up

Your **Phone balance** shows on the page. Click **Add $50** to add funds. Turn on **Auto top-up** to add $50 when you are running low.

## Where texts and calls can go

- A US number texts the US and Canada.
- A UK number texts the UK.
- An Australian number texts Australia.

By default, texts send only in the contact's daytime hours: 8am to 8pm in the US and Canada, 9am to 8pm in the UK, and noon to 8pm Sydney time in Australia. Calls can reach the countries you turn on under **Calling destinations**. Click **Save destinations** after a change.

## Cancel the number

Click **Cancel number and release it**. Calls, call steps and texts stop. The remaining balance is lost, and you cannot get the same number back.

## Common problems

### My registration was rejected

The page shows the reasons from the carriers. Carriers check that your business name, website and sample messages match. Fix the details, then click **Fix & resubmit brand** or **Fix & resubmit campaign**. A brand resubmission is free. A campaign resubmission costs $19.95.

### Texts are not sending

Texting is not active until the registration is approved. The page shows the status. Also, texts only go to contacts who agreed to receive them.

### "SMS marketing is available on paid plans"

Choose a plan on **Billing & Upgrades** to get a Business Phone Number.

### Calls are not answered

Check that your balance is above zero and that **Answer calls** is on in **AI Receptionist**.

## Related

- [Set up your AI Receptionist](/docs/agents/ai-receptionist)
- [Set up follow-ups](/docs/agents/follow-ups)
- [Send email and SMS broadcasts](/docs/marketing/email-sms-broadcasts)
- [Auto-replies for email, SMS and calls](/docs/marketing/auto-replies)