LARA

Connect your first phone number to LARA

Use a fresh Laddr number, port your existing one, or forward your current line. Here's how each path works and how to pick.

Colin LawlessColin LawlessCo-founder, CTO5 min readUpdated Jun 9, 2026
On this page

We set this up with you

Connecting a number is part of LARA setup, and we handle the provisioning side with you rather than leaving you to wire up a carrier alone. You decide which of the three approaches below fits, and we get the number live. Until it's provisioned, your LARA dashboard shows a setup-in-progress panel.

Before you start

Decide whether you want LARA on a brand-new number, your existing main line, or as a fallback when your team can't pick up. Most businesses start with option 3 (forward) so nothing changes for callers, then graduate to option 1 or 2 once they trust LARA.

You'll need one of:

  • Your business address and service region, for a fresh number, or
  • A US or Canadian phone line you own, to port, or
  • Forwarding access on your current carrier, to forward.

Three ways to connect

Each option has trade-offs. Pick the one that matches your risk tolerance:

  1. A fresh Laddr number: quickest, lowest risk. LARA owns the number outright, nothing on your existing line changes.
  2. Port your existing number: keeps your printed marketing intact. Takes 5 to 10 business days.
  3. Forward to LARA: zero changes for callers. LARA only picks up when you don't.

Option 1: A fresh Laddr number

Best for new locations or trying LARA without touching your main line. Tell us the area code you want (we recommend matching your service region) and we provision the number on your account. Once it's live, it shows up under LARA → Phone Numbers and starts taking calls.

Option 2: Port your existing number

Keeps your printed marketing intact. Porting takes 5 to 10 business days because your current carrier has to release the number.

Don't cancel first

Do NOT cancel service with your current carrier before the port completes. If they release the number first, it goes back to the pool and you may lose it permanently.

Option 3: Forward to LARA

Use your carrier's conditional forwarding to send calls to LARA only when your team doesn't pick up after a few rings. Your real number stays your number: callers never see LARA's. See Conditional forwarding for the carrier-by-carrier setup.

Test the connection

Once your number is connected, place a test call from your personal phone:

  1. Dial your LARA number.
  2. LARA should answer in 1 to 2 rings with your greeting.
  3. Ask a question your business knows the answer to.
  4. Hang up and open LARA → Calls. The test call should appear within a minute, with a transcript.

Looking good

If the test call shows up with a transcript, you're done. From here, every missed call becomes a tracked, transcribed, follow-up-ready opportunity. See Review your call transcripts.

Troubleshooting

If LARA isn't picking up:

  • Open LARA → Phone Numbers: the number's status pill should be green.
  • If you're forwarding, confirm your carrier's forwarding rule is active. Not all carriers honor conditional forwarding.
  • Re-run the test call after a minute. Routing can take a moment to settle.
  • Still stuck? Contact support and we'll check the provisioning from our side.

Was this article helpful?

Keep going