Available for incoming calls
Set your PIN available in the app or desktop, receive rings, and know the OS limits of background ringing.
Available for incoming calls
With Available in Call (app or desktop) you register your PIN for incoming calls via CallMerlin. A colleague or Front desk can later transfer to you. With availability off, nothing rings.
This is not a classic phone line on your mobile number. It is CallMerlin Call on the device where you are signed in.
Extension on your PIN
- Admin: PIN users → open or create a PIN
- Enter Extension (2 to 6 digits, unique per account, e.g.
101) - Save
Without an extension you can still set available, but transfer callers have no number to pick. See PIN users. Front desk says staff names aloud, not the extension number.
How to set available
- Sign in with your PIN in the CallMerlin app, desktop or browser (intranet Call)
- Open Call
- Turn on Available for incoming calls
- Wait until the status is truly active (the device must finish connecting)
- When it rings: Answer or Decline
A heartbeat keeps your status fresh (about every 20 seconds). After ~45 seconds without a heartbeat you are offline for transfers. Front desk only sees you as available when you are truly reachable (connection ready or push-wake active).
What works
| Situation | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Desktop open or minimised (Windows tray) | Stays reachable; OS notification on ring |
| Browser tab open (desktop Chrome/Edge) | Reachable while the tab stays open |
| Android: Available on | Rings even when the app is minimised (notification / call UI) |
| iPhone: Available on | System call screen for inbound, even if the app is not open |
| Multiple devices | Only the device that last set available is active |
OS limits (honest, per platform)
| Platform | Works | Does not work |
|---|---|---|
| Windows desktop | App open or in the system tray (minimised); Quit = offline | App fully quit; deep sleep without a waking process |
| macOS desktop | App open or minimised | App Quit; some energy-saving modes |
| Browser (desktop) | Tab open (also backgrounded); browser notification if allowed | Tab or browser closed; mobile browsers often unreliable |
| Android | Available on + app not force-stopped; notification on transfer | Force-stopped; aggressive battery kill on some brands |
| iPhone | Available on + system call screen on inbound | Available off; no promise if iOS refuses push/call UI |
In practice: turn Available on only when you want to ring. Turn it off when you leave.
What this is not yet
- No promise of ringing without Available
- Not a replacement for your mobile operator number
- Not a full phone system (PBX)
Transfer from the public line: see Front desk.
Related
- Front desk: public VA + transfer + Call back
- Calling with recording: dial out yourself
- Calling from chat: call suggestion from Merlin
- PIN users: set an extension