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Do agents in Retell handle DTMF press-1 prompts on...
# ❓・ai-evy-support
b
@AI Evy Do agents in Retell handle DTMF press-1 prompts on inbound transferred calls?
a
Thanks for tagging me @Bangash. I'll look through relevant sources and get back to you shortly.
### Answer Yes, Retell AI agents can handle DTMF (digit-press) inputs during calls, including on transferred calls [(1) ]() . The Press Digit tool enables agents to navigate IVR systems that require pressing digits on the phone keypad . To set this up, you add a Press Digit Tool to your agent, which gives it the ability to press digits . You can provide navigation prompts with instructions on when and what digits to press . The tool supports DTMF input IVR systems that require pressing digits on the phone keypad . For warm transfers specifically, you can configure "Navigate IVR" settings, which provide a prompt to help the agent navigate if the transfer target is an IVR system [(2) ]() . This works when the agent is transferring calls to destinations that have IVR menus requiring digit inputs .
​ To learn more, see the sources I considered: [[1] Press digit (IVR navigation)](https://docs.retellai.com/build/single-multi-prompt/press-digit) [[2] Transfer call tool for single & multi-prompt agents](https://docs.retellai.com/build/single-multi-prompt/transfer-call) ​
Feel free to tag @AI Evy with additional questions. I also appreciate feedback, it helps me improve.
b
@AI Evy I need to confirm a specific telephony capability Scenario: A third-party system (Spruce Health) forwards inbound calls to our Retell agent's number. Before bridging the caller through, Spruce plays an automated prompt to the receiving party (our agent) that says "press 1 to accept this call." The transfer only completes once a DTMF "1" is sent back. If no digit is sent, Spruce treats it as unanswered and the transfer fails. So the requirement is: our agent, when it answers an inbound transferred call, must send a DTMF digit ("1") in response to an automated prompt at the very start of the call — before any normal conversation begins. Specific questions: - Can a Retell agent send (output) DTMF tones during a call? Not detect caller key-presses — actually send a digit out itself. - If yes, can it send the digit automatically right at the start of an inbound call (e.g. on answer / before the conversation flow begins), so it can respond to a "press 1 to accept" prompt? - Is there a "send DTMF" tool/function/node, or a way to trigger it automatically on answer? - Is DTMF sending supported on inbound calls specifically, and does it depend on the telephony provider (e.g. our Twilio number vs. Retell-managed)? Any provider/config requirements? - Is there any built-in support for press-to-accept / confirmed (attended) transfer handling, where the agent needs to acknowledge a transfer prompt before the caller is connected? - If this isn't natively supported, is there a recommended workaround (Twilio-level, SIP-level, etc.)?
a
Thanks for the follow-up, @Bangash. I'll get back to you soon.
### Answer Can Retell agents send DTMF tones? Yes, Retell agents can send DTMF tones during a call [(1) ]() . When using the LLM WebSocket, you can include a
digit_to_press
field in response events to trigger DTMF tones . Sending DTMF at call start for "press 1 to accept": Based on the available sources, DTMF sending is triggered through the agent's response flow, not automatically on answer . The
digit_to_press
field is set within response events after content is spoken . This means the agent would need to "hear" the prompt first, then respond with the digit. For your specific scenario where the prompt plays immediately on answer (before normal conversation) , this presents a challenge since the DTMF capability is designed to work after the agent speaks content . Inbound vs. provider support: The sources confirm DTMF functionality works with SIP trunking setups [(2) ]() . Retell's SIP server supports DTMF, and the sources indicate you can press digits using SIP trunking . However, the sources don't explicitly detail automatic DTMF on inbound call answer before any agent speech. Built-in press-to-accept handling: The available sources don't describe a built-in feature specifically for handling "press to accept" prompts that occur before the caller is bridged through. Recommendation: I don't have documentation covering automatic DTMF sending on inbound call answer before conversation begins. For your Spruce Health scenario, you may need to explore telephony-level solutions (handling the "press 1" at the Twilio/SIP layer before routing to Retell) or contact Retell support for guidance on this specific use case.
​ To learn more, see the sources I considered: [[1] LLM WebSocket](https://docs.retellai.com/api-references/llm-websocket) [[2] Custom Telephony Overview](https://docs.retellai.com/deploy/custom-telephony) ​
Feel free to tag @AI Evy with additional questions. I also appreciate feedback, it helps me improve.