You can check that CareCalls can reach a cell phone or landline in two stages: send a free instant demo to the number in question, then — if you need to hear what a call screener or answering machine does on that line — use inbound diagnosis after CareCalls support has set permission.
This guide is for the repeat reminder and wellness-check service and one-time reminders (phone or text). It does not cover live professional calls. If you are still choosing how to try the service, see three ways to try CareCalls before you subscribe.
| Scope | Applies to |
|---|---|
| Repeat reminders and wellness checks | Yes — phone and/or SMS |
| One-time reminders | Yes — phone and/or SMS |
| In-person care | No — see our services page |
How do I test delivery with an instant demo?
The quickest check is the live demo on /demo. It uses the same delivery infrastructure as a paid service, so if the demo reaches the line, scheduled reminders and wellness checks are much more likely to work too.
- Open /demo.
- Enter the phone number you want to test (the line that should receive the real service).
- Choose phone or SMS to match how the service will deliver.
- Pick any sample message (for example a medication reminder or a wellness check that asks for a response).
- Submit the form. You should receive the demo within a few minutes.
Phone demos come from the same type of outbound number your service will use. SMS demos confirm that texts arrive and can be replied to where a response is required.
If the demo rings through and can be answered (or a text arrives and can be read), delivery to that number is working at a basic level. If it does not, work through the sections below before relying on a live schedule.
For an existing service, you can also open View report on the manage dashboard after the first delivery has run, to see how recent reminders and wellness checks were received. Log in via the link in the next section if you already have a service set up.
What should I check if the demo fails?
Common causes are not about CareCalls being “down” — they are about the line, handset, or settings:
- Call blockers or robocall screening — screened calls may never ring. See nuisance call blockers for allowing the CareCalls delivery number or using inbound diagnosis.
- Wrong or missing delivery number saved — confirm the number on delivery factors matches the handset you tested. See which number CareCalls delivers from.
- Ring time too short — voicemail may answer before anyone reaches the phone. See how long the phone rings.
- Terms, personalized recordings, or account review — these can delay the first live delivery even when the demo works; see how quickly CareCalls starts delivering.
If the service delivers by text only, run an SMS demo rather than a phone demo.
How does inbound diagnosis help?
Inbound diagnosis lets you call through CareCalls’ delivery number and listen to what happens when that number tries to reach the line you are troubleshooting — useful when call screening asks callers to identify themselves, or when you need to hear an answering machine or busy signal.
Permissions are not automatic. Support must register an inbound diagnosis permission for:
- Requester phone — the number you will call from (must not be the handset you are testing).
- Diagnosis phone — the call receiver’s number that should receive reminders and wellness checks.
Each permission has an expiry date and a limited number of uses. The voice menu may ask you to press 5 (or follow other live prompts), then enter the access details support gave you, then enter the diagnosis phone number carefully.
Before you call
Contact us with:
- The diagnosis phone (the line you are testing),
- The requester phone you will call from,
- When you plan to run the test,
and we will confirm when permission is active and what to enter at the menu.
Call steps (after permission is active)
- Find your CareCalls delivery number on delivery factors — see which number CareCalls delivers from. For a service that is already running:
- From your requester phone (not the diagnosis handset), call that delivery number.
- Follow the voice menu for inbound diagnosis (live prompts may ask you to press 5 to start).
- Enter the access details CareCalls support provided, then enter the diagnosis phone number.
- If permission is valid, you are connected to that line. Listen to call screening, busy signals, or voicemail — and complete whatever the far-end system asks so the call is accepted if someone can answer.
- Run another /demo to confirm scheduled-style deliveries can get through.
Full detail on call blockers, allow lists, and teach-through limits is in nuisance call blockers.
When should I contact support?
Contact us if:
- The demo never arrives after several minutes (check the number format and country on the demo form),
- Inbound diagnosis will not connect (expired permission, wrong requester number, or use limit reached),
- Deliveries used to work and stopped — include what you hear on diagnosis and any dashboard notifications you see when logged in.
We can renew diagnosis permission or help interpret what you heard on the line.
Related guides
- What to do when deliveries are failing — if you were notified that most recent attempts failed
- How repeat reminders and wellness checks work — retries, second numbers, and alerts
- Try CareCalls before you subscribe — demo, one-time, and 30-day trial
- How quickly deliveries start — setup delays separate from reachability tests