Browser calling allows your team to make and receive calls directly within Aptly using Twilio—no separate phone or softphone required. This turns your browser into a fully functional phone line, helping your team stay responsive and keep all communication centralized.
You can enable browser calling when creating a new Twilio account or update an existing one at any time. A Premium Subscription is required.
Before You Begin
- Browser calling must already be enabled on your Twilio line
- Your team must have access to the Inbox associated with that line
- Users must have their browser open to receive incoming calls
Accessing Twilio Line Settings
To configure browser calling:
- Go to the Inbox tied to your Twilio line
- Open Settings for that inbox
- Locate the Ring Configuration section
This is where you’ll control how incoming calls are routed.
Updating Ring Configuration to Browser
Previously, calls may have been routed to a phone number. With browser calling enabled, you now have a new option:
- In Ring-To Settings, select Browser
- Click the + (plus) icon to choose who should receive calls
- Select:
- Individual users, or
- Teams
These users will have their browsers ring when a call comes in.
If no users are selected, calls will ring for everyone with access to the inbox.
Why This Matters for Property Management
Browser routing gives you flexibility in how calls are handled:
- Route leasing inquiries to your leasing team
- Send maintenance calls to coordinators or vendors
- Allow shared visibility while controlling who is actively answering calls
This ensures the right person answers the call without limiting access to communication history.
Setting Up Voicemail for Browser Calls
Browser voicemail is available when Browser is selected as the ring destination.
To enable voicemail:
- Toggle on Voicemail
- Set the ring duration (in seconds) before voicemail picks up
- Enter your voicemail greeting (automated text-to-speech)
How it works:
- If multiple users are ringing, voicemail will only trigger if no one answers
- Voicemails are automatically logged in the Inbox
- Each voicemail includes:
- Call details (time, duration)
- Recording
- Transcript
Users will also receive notifications when a voicemail is left.
Enabling Call Recordings
If voicemail is not triggered, you can still capture call details by enabling:
- Call Recordings – records active calls for reference and training
This is especially helpful for:
- Reviewing leasing conversations
- Training new team members
- Documenting resident or vendor communication
Managing Inbox Permissions
You can grant multiple users access to a Twilio inbox. These users can:
- Send and receive SMS
- Make outbound calls
- View call and message history
However, only selected users in the Ring Configuration will receive incoming call alerts in their browser.
Setting Up Notifications
To ensure users are alerted to missed activity:
- Go to My Settings → Notifications
- Select your phone line
- Enable notifications for:
- Voicemail left on a browser call
This ensures your team stays informed, even if a call is missed.
Using Ring Schedules with Browser Calling
You can combine browser calling with ring schedules to control availability:
- Set a default ring group using browser users
- Create custom schedules (e.g., after-hours routing)
- Route calls to:
- Different users
- External phone numbers
- Alternate lines
This is especially useful for:
- After-hours emergency maintenance
- Rotating on-call staff
- Managing business hours vs. off-hours communication
Ringing to Browser + Phone Numbers
Browser calling can be used alongside traditional phone routing.
For example:
- Ring leasing agents in-browser
- While also ringing a backup phone number
This ensures calls are answered quickly, even if someone isn’t actively in Aptly.
Enabling Microphone Access for Browser Calling
To use browser calling in Aptly, you’ll need to allow your browser to access your microphone. Without this permission, you won’t be able to make or receive calls.
How to Enable Microphone Access
- When prompted, click Allow when Aptly requests microphone access
- If you previously blocked access:
- Click the lock icon in your browser’s address bar
- Locate Microphone permissions
- Set it to Allow
- Refresh your browser to apply the changes
If you’re having trouble with audio:
- Double-check that the correct microphone is selected in your browser settings
- Ensure no other applications are actively using your microphone
- Refresh your browser after updating permissions
Summary
With browser calling configured for Twilio in Aptly, you can:
- Turn your browser into a fully functional phone line
- Control exactly who receives incoming calls
- Enable voicemail with transcripts and recordings
- Maintain full visibility into communication across your team
- Customize routing for business hours, teams, and workflows
Pro Tip
Think of browser calling as an additional “virtual phone line” for your team. It’s ideal for centralizing communication while still giving you flexibility in how calls are routed and handled.