If your business has recently switched to 3CX—or if your team could use a refresher on how to handle calls with confidence—this guide is for you. While 3CX is packed with great features, many users just need help with the essentials to keep things running smoothly day to day.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the most common phone tasks, explained in a simple, step-by-step format. We’ll also cover how to use Yealink handsets alongside 3CX for key functions.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• How to transfer a call (blind vs attended)
  
• How to set up a conference call
  
• How to park a call and retrieve it
  
• How to place a call on hold
  
• How to pick up another extension’s call
  
• How to check voicemail and record a greeting
  
• The preferred number format for dialling in 3CX
  
• What BLF (Busy Lamp Field) is and how to use it
  
• How to perform key functions using Yealink desk phones
  

Whether you’re answering phones, transferring calls across departments, or managing a recption, this guide will help you and your team get more out of 3CX with confidence.

📞 How to Transfer a Call in 3CX

Transferring calls correctly is important for keeping callers happy and avoiding confusion internally.

To do a Blind Transfer (quick handoff):

• While on a call, click the Transfer button 
• In the prompt, type the extension number or external phone number of the person you're transferring to.
  
• Select Blind Transfer (or just hit Transfer again, depending on the version).
  
• The call is immediately sent to the recipient without you announcing it.
  

To do an Attended Transfer (warm handoff):

• While on a call, click the Transfer button.
  
• Enter the extension or number of the recipient.
  
• Choose Attended Transfer.
  
• You’ll be connected to the recipient while the original caller is placed on hold.
  
• Let the recipient know who’s calling.
  
• Click Complete Transfer to connect the caller, or Cancel to return to the original call.
  

Why use each type:

• Blind Transfer is great for quick call routing when the person is expecting the call or when it’s a general line like reception.
  
• Attended Transfer is best for high-value or sensitive calls where context is important, like handing off a client or confirming someone is available.

👥 How to Start a Call Conference in 3CX

Perfect for team huddles, client meetings, or bringing multiple parties into one call.

To start a live conference call:

• While on a call, click the Conference button (usually a group icon).
  
• Enter the extension or phone number of the person you want to add.
  
• Click Add or Invite.
  
• Repeat to add more participants if needed.
  

To pre-schedule a conference:

• Go to the 3CX Web Client or Desktop App.
  
• Click Schedule Conference.
  
• Choose the date, time, and participants.
  
• 3CX will send invites and dial participants automatically when it starts.

🔦 What is BLF and How to Use It

BLF, or Busy Lamp Field, is a handy feature that shows you at a glance whether a colleague's phone line is free, ringing, or in use—right from your desk phone.

If you're using a Yealink handset with 3CX, BLF buttons can be programmed onto your phone’s side panel or display, typically as customisable line keys.

💡 What You Can Do with BLF Buttons

• See who’s on a call: A red light means they’re currently on a call.
  
• Know when someone’s phone is ringing: A flashing red light means their phone is ringing.
  
• See who’s available: A green light means the line is free.
  
• Speed dial or transfer calls: Press the BLF key to call the person directly or transfer a caller instantly.
  
• Park and retrieve calls: Some BLF keys can be assigned to shared park slots (like SP1 or SP2), letting you easily park or retrieve calls.
  

✅ How to Use BLF on a Yealink Phone

1. Look at your phone’s BLF panel (usually to the right of the screen or as soft keys).
   
2. Press a green-light BLF button to speed dial that person.
   
3. While on a call, press a BLF key to do a Blind Transfer directly to that colleague’s extension.
   
4. If the BLF is red, you’ll know they’re busy and may want to use an Attended Transfer instead.
   
5. If it’s flashing, they’re currently receiving a call—you might use Call Pickup (*20*ext) to grab the call if they’re away.
   

💡 Not seeing BLF keys on your phone? Let us know—we can configure them for your team with the names and extensions that make the most sense for your workflow.

🅿️ How to Park a Call in 3CX

Parking lets you hold a call in a shared "slot" that someone else can pick up from another phone.

To park a call:

• While on a call, click the Transfer button.
  
• Instead of typing an extension, type a shared parking slot like SP1 or SP2.
  
• Click Transfer again to confirm.
  
• The call is now parked and waiting.
  

To retrieve a parked call:

• Dial the park slot number (e.g. SP1) from any 3CX-connected phone or softphone.
  
• The call will be picked up immediately.
  

💡 Park is especially useful in reception or warehouse setups, where someone might need to take the call from a different phone.

⏸️ How to Put a Call on Hold in 3CX

Use this when you need a moment without handing the call off.

• During a call, click the Hold button (usually shown as a pause icon).
  
• The caller will hear your hold music or a recorded message.
  
• Click Resume or Unhold to continue the conversation.
  

📣 How to Pick Up Another Extension’s Call

This is handy if a colleague's phone is ringing but they’re away from their desk.

To pick up a call ringing at a specific extension:

• Dial *20* followed by the extension number (e.g. *20*102).
  

To pick up any ringing call in your call group:

• Dial *20* (just that) to grab the first ringing call in your pickup group.
  

💡 Pickup groups are set by your system administrator so that only certain teams can answer each other’s calls.

📬 How to Check Your Voicemail in 3CX

Voicemail is accessible from the app, your handset, or by dialling in. From the app or web client:

• Click the Voicemail tab or icon.
  
• New messages will be listed—you can play, delete, or save them.
  

By dialling manually:

• Dial 999 from your phone or softphone.
  
• Follow the voice prompts to listen to, delete, or save messages.
  

🗣️ How to Record a New Voicemail Greeting

A professional voicemail greeting lets callers know they’ve reached the right person.

To record directly from your phone:

• Dial 999 to access your voicemail menu.
  
• Press 9 for options.
  
• Follow the prompts to record your name or a full greeting message.
  
• Press # to save.
  

To upload a greeting from a file (optional):

• Log in to the 3CX Web Client.
  
• Go to Settings > Voicemail or Greetings under your extension profile.
  
• Upload your WAV/MP3 file or record directly in the browser (if supported).
  

💡 Consider including your name, company, and instructions in your message—for example: “You’ve reached Alex at FortiTech. I’m currently unavailable, but please leave your name and number, and I’ll get back to you shortly.”

🖐️ Using Yealink Phones with 3CX: Key Call Features

If your office is equipped with Yealink handsets (such as the T4 or T5 series), you can perform common tasks like transfers, conferencing, and parking calls directly from the phone—no computer required. Here’s how to handle each of the essentials:

🔁 How to Transfer a Call Using a Yealink Phone

You can choose to do a Blind Transfer or an Attended Transfer directly from the handset.

For a Blind Transfer:

• While on a call, press the Transfer button (usually a physical button or soft key).
  
• Dial the extension or external number you want to transfer the call to.
  
• Press the Transfer button again to complete.
  
• The call will go through immediately without any introduction.
  

For an Attended Transfer:

• Press the Transfer button during a call.
  
• Dial the recipient’s extension or number.
  
• Press OK or Send to call the recipient.
  
• Once they answer, let them know who is on the line.
  
• Press the Transfer button again to connect the original caller.
  

💡 Attended Transfers are useful when handing over VIP clients or confirming availability before transferring.

👥 How to Start a Conference Call on a Yealink Phone

Conference calls can be created quickly and on the fly—no scheduling needed.

• While on a call, press the Conference or Conf button.
  
• Dial the extension or number of the second participant.
  
• Press OK or Send to call them.
  
• Once they answer, press Conference again to join all parties into a single call.
  
• Repeat the process to add more participants if needed.
  

💡 The display screen will show all participants, and you can manage or remove attendees if required.

🅿️ How to Park a Call Using a Yealink Phone

Yealink phones work seamlessly with 3CX’s shared call parking system.

To park a call:

• While on the call, press the Transfer button.
  
• Dial a parking slot number such as SP1, SP2, etc. (some handsets may have these as pre-programmed keys).
  
• Press Transfer again to park the call in that slot.
  

To retrieve a parked call:

• From any Yealink phone, press the corresponding SP1/SP2 button if programmed, or:
  
• Dial the slot number manually (e.g. SP1) and press Send/OK.
  
• You’ll be connected to the parked caller.
  

💡 If you don’t see parking buttons on your phone, we can program them for you as quick-access keys.