Phorest AI receptionist: answer calls and book into Phorest

What does CallPad do in Phorest?

CallPad answers your salon's phone and works inside your Phorest account:

• Answers every call, 24/7, including when you're with a client and after you've closed.
• Books, moves and cancels in real time with the stylist the client asks for, and the right service length.
• Books consultations, such as colour or extension consultations, as consultation appointment types, under your rules.
• Takes deposits. CallPad can take a deposit on the call, either by texting a payment link or using a card on file in your booking system. You set the policy.
• Books packages as well as single services.
• Gets the right calls to a person. For anything it can't handle, CallPad can transfer the call to a team member or take a message. With a message, you get an email that says what the caller wanted.
• Answers texts and email too. Phone, SMS and email are live. WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and TikTok are coming soon.

Why does answering the phone matter?

Few callers leave a voicemail. In a 2026 YouGov survey of UK adults for Answer4u, just 6% said they would leave a voicemail rather than wait for a business to answer (YouGov for Answer4u, 2026). In UK small-business call data from 2016, 69% of callers who reached voicemail hung up without leaving a message (Moneypenny, 2016).

How do Front Desk AI and CallPad compare?

They cover different channels, so they work well together. As of October 2026, Phorest says Front Desk AI "handles scheduling requests and FAQs via SMS & Whatsapp", and that it "responds to and actions booking, rescheduling, and rebooking requests" (Phorest AI features, checked 16 October 2026).

• Phorest Front Desk AI: SMS and WhatsApp. Acts on booking, rescheduling and rebooking requests by message.
• CallPad: phone calls (plus SMS and email). Books, moves and cancels in Phorest in real time during the call.

You can keep Front Desk AI for messages and use CallPad for calls.

How do you set it up?

It takes about 10 minutes. CallPad works with Phorest on any plan:

1. Request an API key from Phorest. CallPad connects with it.
2. Check that your services, staff and booking rules are right.
3. Forward your calls to CallPad. You can forward every call, or only the ones you don't answer, when the line is busy or after hours. Your salon number stays the same. Our call forwarding guide shows how, network by network.
4. Make a test call.

Who builds CallPad?

CallPad also powers the AI receptionists built into SalonIQ (IQ Connect), Shortcuts and Salon Manager, so the same technology already answers calls for salons on those platforms. Our published case studies are UK salons, though not Phorest salons.

For the other systems CallPad works with, see booking software integrations, or read about CallPad for UK salons.

Is CallPad available outside the UK and Ireland?

Yes. Phorest salons are mostly in the UK and Ireland, but Phorest is also used in the US, Canada and Australia. CallPad serves the US, the UK, Australia and Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Does Phorest have an AI receptionist that answers calls?

As of October 2026, Phorest's Front Desk AI handles booking requests and questions by SMS and WhatsApp. We found no native AI phone receptionist.

Can an AI book phone callers straight into Phorest?

Yes. CallPad books, moves and cancels in Phorest in real time with the stylist the client asks for.

Can I keep Front Desk AI?

Yes. Front Desk AI covers SMS and WhatsApp; CallPad covers calls.

Does it handle colour and extension consultations?

Yes, as consultation appointment types, under your rules.

Can I use it only after hours or when we're busy?

Yes. You can forward only unanswered calls, calls when the line is busy, after-hours calls, or every call.

Which Phorest plan do I need?

Any plan. You request an API key from Phorest, and CallPad connects with it.

How long does setup take?

About 10 minutes.

Hear it for yourself

Book a demo, or hear CallPad take a call.