Intro to Shared Lines
=====================

This article provides an overview of the Shared Lines Group feature and discusses the availability, features, benefits, how it can be accessed and managed by administrators.

The **Shared Lines** feature allows calls made to one phone number to be answered by multiple phone devices. Answered calls can be handed off to other phones sharing the same phone number. This feature is a commonly required function in many industries, such as retail, restaurant, warehouse, etc.

Availability
------------

This feature is available to all <var class="keyword">
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RingEX
</div></var> Standard, Premium, and Ultimate accounts based in the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia. Additional costs may apply for a new phone line and device purchases.

Features
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* Allow calls and lines to be shared among multiple desk phones; answer calls on any phone.
* Place a call on hold then pick up from another phone.
* Supports up to 8 lines with 16 phones with any combination between (1 x 1) and (8 x 16).
* Compatible with all <var class="keyword">
  <div style="display: inline;">
  RingCentral
  </div></var> Polycom phone devices.
* Forward incoming calls to a specified extension after two (2) to sixteen rings.
* Caller ID name is shown on hard phones when a call on hold is picked up via Presence or Shared Line Group.
* Compatible with all <var class="keyword">
  <div style="display: inline;">
  RingCentral
  </div></var> Mitel, Poly, and Yealink phones.

Benefits
--------

* Included for **free** with <var class="keyword">
  <div style="display: inline;">
  RingEX
  </div></var> subscribers.
* Efficiently distribute incoming calls within a specific group.
* Easily reach a person on different phones without the need for call transfers.
* Eliminate any missing calls. Simply answer calls on any phone.
* Easy to add and modify a Shared Lines group over the cloud, anywhere, anytime.
* All outbound calls from a Shared Lines group will have a consistent phone number instead of individual numbers or extensions.
* The ability to see the Caller ID name beforehand allows Users to greet customers in a more personalized way.

Accessing and managing Shared Lines
-----------------------------------

* Sign in to the [<var class="keyword">
  <div style="display: inline;">
  Admin Portal
  </div></var>](https://service.ringcentral.com "").
* On the Admin Portal, go to **Phone System \> Groups \> Shared Lines** tab. The panel automatically displays all the Shared Lines groups in the company.

Administrators can perform the following:

* Search for a particular Shared Lines group and filter it by Site (when Multi-Site Support is enabled).
* Create or add a new Shared Lines group.
* View the Shared Lines groups' **Status** (Enabled, Not Activated), **Name** , **Site** , **Numbers** , **Extension** , and **Messages**.
* Change the site assignment of Shared Lines group/s by selecting group/s from the list, then clicking **Change Site**.
* Resend email invitation for Shared Lines group activation.
* Edit Shared Lines group settings, such as **Shared Line Details** , **Direct Numbers** , **Greeting** , **Call Handling** , **Outbound Caller ID** , and **Messages \& Notifications**.