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How to add a translator to an existing call

Keep your current call connected, use your phone’s Add call control to dial your active TalkTool line, connect the interpreter, then choose Merge. Everyone hears the original speech and its translation, so take turns and pause.

Watch this scenario’s narrated walkthrough, then follow the written instructions below. The demo stops before a live call or number activation.

Use your regular phoneAutomatic language detectionNo app for the other caller

How do I add a translator to an existing call?

Keep your current call connected, use your phone’s Add call control to dial your active TalkTool line, connect the interpreter, then choose Merge. Everyone hears the original speech and its translation, so take turns and pause.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Keep the original caller connected

    Tell the other person you are adding translation. Keep the call connected while you find your TalkTool number.

  2. Add a second call to TalkTool

    Use Add call on your phone. Depending on your iPhone version, this may be under More → Add People. Dial your active Auto Connect number. The original caller waits on hold.

  3. Connect the interpreter

    For a line configured as Just connect an interpreter, wait for it to connect. If Include dial-out is enabled, press 2. On the shared conference line, first enter your organization and language codes from My Translators, then press 2.

  4. Merge the calls

    Return from the keypad to your call controls and select Merge or Merge Calls. Swap changes which caller you hear; it does not join the calls.

  5. Speak in short turns

    Confirm everyone can hear, say one or two sentences, and let the translation finish before the next person speaks. End the conference when you finish.

A practical example

A customer has already called your mobile and speaks Spanish. Keep them on hold, add your Auto Connect line, press 2 if prompted, and merge. You speak English; TalkTool plays the Spanish translation to the call.

Common questions

Why can everyone hear both languages?

A merged conference shares the call audio with everyone. TalkTool works in interpreter mode, playing translations into the conversation. For separate listening languages, start a new call through TalkTool dial-out or Browser Call.

What if Merge is unavailable?

Wait until the TalkTool call connects, hide the keypad, and check your call controls. Your phone and carrier must support conference calling. If they do not, use TalkTool dial-out for a new call.

Does the other person need the TalkTool app?

No. The other person stays on their existing phone call.

Written by TalkTool. Instructions checked against the setup wizard and product documentation. See the detailed product guide.

Choose your next calling scenario

How to call a customer with translation enabled

Call a customer from the TalkTool dashboard. Choose both languages, enable translation before dialing, and follow the bilingual conversation.

How to make outgoing calls with a translator on the line

Use a mobile, desk phone or landline to call through TalkTool. Enable dial-out, press 1 and enter the recipient’s number for live translation.

How to receive incoming calls with translation enabled

Set up a TalkTool incoming number, choose language detection or a language menu, and answer translated calls in the dashboard or on your phone.

How to set up automatic language detection for phone calls

Set up an Auto Connect line with automatic language detection. Choose optional language hints, enable dial-out and review a phone number before activation.

How to receive translated calls on your existing business phone

Route incoming TalkTool calls to your existing business phone. Configure the caller’s language and forwarding destination, then test live translation.

Watch the full setup demo and read the walkthrough

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Add TalkTool to an existing call, or call someone through your translator line.

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