How To Set up a VoIP Phone At Home – Complete Step By Step Guide

Last Updated on November 2, 2025

The landline network in the UK is changing fast.

BT is shutting down the old copper-based system and moving everything to digital lines.

If you want to keep your home or business landline active, you need to shift to a VoIP service. This guide explains exactly how to do it in simple steps.

You do not need technical knowledge or expensive hardware. You only need a stable internet or mobile connection and a VoIP provider like Air Landline.

You can keep your existing landline number and start receiving calls on your mobile, computer, or tablet. 

This guide will take you through the setup process, equipment needed, common questions, and how to get started with your home VoIP system.

If you prefer a quick solution, you can skip the hardware route and sign up online with Air Landline and Start Your Trial.

Digital phone service is already used by thousands of households and small businesses across the UK because it is cheaper, more flexible, and future-proof. 

You do not have to wait until your current landline stops working. Switching early gives you time to test the system, avoid disruption, and stay connected when the PSTN network is finally turned off.

Many people are searching for how to install a VoIP phone at home, but the process is easier than it sounds. With Air Landline, your number stays the same, but your calls become smarter and easier to manage.

It is a practical way to prepare for the BT Switch Off without stress or extra costs.

The Big BT Switch Off and How It Will Affect You 

BT is retiring the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and ISDN services by December 2025.

This means all traditional landlines will stop working. Every landline call will run over broadband or mobile data instead.

If your home phone, alarm system, card machine, or fax machine uses the old copper line, it will stop working unless you switch to digital voice or digital phone service.

This change affects both homes and small businesses.

VoIP is a digital phone service that uses the internet. Instead of plugging a landline phone into a wall socket, you make and receive calls using a router, mobile phone, or another device.

The good part is you can keep your existing number, reduce phone costs, and access features like voicemail, call forwarding, and call recording.

Services like Air Landline allow you to move your landline number to the cloud. You do not need physical phones or engineer visits.

You only need an account and an internet-connected device.

Can I have a VoIP phone at home?

Yes. You can use a VoIP phone at home even if you do not have a traditional landline. VoIP is a form of digital telephony that uses your internet connection instead of old copper lines.

You only need a stable internet or mobile connection for VoIP integration. Many people use mobile phones as their VoIP devices.

Others connect a VoIP phone to a router using an Ethernet cable.

You can also use a VoIP adapter to connect your old landline handset. In the UK, VoIP phones for home use are becoming common because of the BT Switch Off. 

If you do not want cables or equipment, you can move your number to Air Landline and answer landline calls on your mobile without hardware or contracts.

VoIP also gives you more freedom because you are not tied to one location or phone socket.

You can take calls while travelling, working from home, or even abroad as long as you have internet access. 

Unlike traditional landlines, VoIP services allow features like call recording, voicemail to email, and call forwarding without extra costs.

You can also add multiple users if you run a small business from home. This makes it a flexible option for homes, freelancers, and remote teams.

Getting started with a VoIP phone at home 

There are two main ways to install VoIP at home:

● The manual method using a VoIP desk phone, router, or digital adapter.
● The quick method using a VoIP service like Air Landline.

This section covers both approaches. 

Follow each step in order. If you want the simplest option, skip to Step 3, sign up below to start your 7-day trial.

Step 1 

Check your internet connection. VoIP calls need a stable broadband or fibre broadband connection.

A speed of 5 Mbps is usually enough for one or two calls at a time. If you do not have broadband, you can still use VoIP through mobile data.

Make sure your WiFi router or modem is working well. If your internet keeps dropping, fix that first.

VoIP works best with wired Ethernet cables rather than WiFi, but both can work. A wired connection reduces call drops, delays, and audio glitches.

You should also test your speed and latency using an online speed checker. If several devices are streaming or downloading at the same time, it may affect call quality.

For a smoother experience, keep your router in an open space and avoid using outdated equipment. Strong connectivity is the foundation of a good VoIP setup at home.

Step 2

Some people still prefer using VoIP equipment such as desk phones or a simple adapter, but with cloud phone solutions like Air Landline, it is completely optional.

Choose how you want to make VoIP calls at home:

● VoIP desk phone: A telephone designed to connect directly to your router using an Ethernet cable.
● VoIP adapter (ATA): A small box that lets you plug your old landline handset into your router.
● Smartphone or tablet: Install an app from your VoIP provider like Air Landline.
● Computer or laptop: Use a headset or microphone with a softphone app for home VoIP.

If you do not want equipment, Air Landline lets you receive landline calls directly on your mobile.

You keep your landline number, and all calls arrive on your phone.

For more details on setup, you can also visit Making Calls.

Step 3 

Select a VoIP provider. Look for features like number porting, call forwarding, voicemail, and low monthly costs.

Air Landline is designed for both homes and small businesses. You can keep your number, avoid hardware, and manage everything online.

To transfer your landline number, visit Landline Porting and submit your details. This process is called number porting.

Step 4 

If you are using a laptop, you can install VoIP software or a softphone app instead of physical hardware for home VoIP.

Configure your device or account:

If you are using Air Landline:

• Go to Air Landline
• Select your plan and start your 7-day trial
• If you want to keep your number, email us, and we will send you a link to upload your transfer documents

Once activated, your landline calls will ring on your mobile or desktop app.

If you are using a physical VoIP phone or adapter:

• Connect your VoIP phone to your router with an Ethernet cable
• Or plug your old phone into a converter and then into the router
• Log in to the phone or adapter using the details from your VoIP provider
• Enter your SIP username and password from your provider
• Save settings and restart the device

Step 5

Test your VoIP system. Make a test connection to a mobile or landline. Check if the audio is clear and there is no delay.

Ask someone to call your number and see if your device rings.

If you are using Air Landline, test incoming calls on your mobile.

If calls are not coming through, check the internet speed, router settings, or login details from your provider.

You can also review the App Troubleshoot guide for quick fixes.

Make sure your device stays connected to broadband or mobile internet to receive calls.

Try calling at different times of the day to see if network traffic affects the quality. You can also test features like voicemail, call forwarding, or call waiting to make sure everything is working as expected.

If there are still issues, restarting your router or device usually fixes most problems.

Step 6 

Cloud phone solutions like Air Landline let you forward calls, set hours, and manage everything from one dashboard. Activate useful features.

With Air Landline, you can:

• Forward calls to multiple mobile numbers
• Set working hours so calls only ring during business time
• Send voicemails to email
• Add a welcome greeting or menu
• View call logs and missed calls. Log in to your dashboard at Air Landline to manage these features.

Step 7 

Setting this up now makes your number future-proof and avoids issues when the Big Switch Off happens.

The Big Switch Off means copper lines will disappear. By setting up VoIP now, you avoid disruption.

If you plan to move homes or run a small business from home, a virtual landline keeps your number safe.

FAQ

Summary – How to set up a Voip Phone at Home

The landline network in the UK is moving from copper cables to digital systems.

To stay connected after the Big BT Switch Off, you need to use VoIP instead of traditional landlines. Setting up VoIP at home is simple.

Check your internet, pick your device or use your mobile, choose a provider, and test the service.

Many people want to know how to start using VoIP at home. It is often associated with complex guides, but with Air Landline, you can do it without any technical setup.

You keep your number, avoid engineer visits, and manage everything online.

You can choose to use VoIP equipment like adapters and phones, or skip hardware and use cloud telephony. You can either use equipment like VoIP phones and adapters or choose a virtual landline for easier use.

With features like voicemail to email, call forwarding, and number porting, Air Landline offers a future-proof solution for homes and small businesses.