Webex Calling virtual lines
Verified 2026-09-25 · 54 sources · tier 2–4
Also known as multi line support in Webex Calling, virtual line.
Webex Calling virtual lines let administrators give a Webex Calling user more than 1 line, enabling the user to place and receive calls across different assigned directory numbers 41. Creating a virtual line does not require an additional license, user ID, or email address 36.
How it works
Virtual lines are not a separate Webex Calling license type, but are listed as a feature entitlement of the Webex Calling Professional license 38. Virtual lines are entitled at a 1:1 ratio per Webex Calling Professional license and can be assigned only to users and workspaces holding a Professional license 4024. WarmTransfer's reading of the sources is that because a virtual line cannot be a primary line and requires a Professional-licensed user or workspace device to host it, a common-area phone whose only number is the shared number requires a workspace, whereas a virtual line suits adding that number as an extra line on existing phones and applications 53. Additionally, a Webex Calling virtual extension maps an internal extension to an external phone number, such as a remote worker on another system, and is a distinct feature from a virtual line 52.
Cisco names 4 use cases for virtual lines: support staff handling high call volume across several queues and hunt groups, regional workers seeking numbers in several local area codes, administrative staff handling executive calls on shared lines, and executives requiring separate private and public lines 49.
A virtual line cannot serve as the primary line of a user or workspace device; it can only be assigned as a secondary line 43. A single virtual line can be assigned to at most 36 devices 28. By comparison, the shared line documentation for Cisco Desk Phone 9800 and Video Phone 8875 notes that a shared number can appear on at most 35 devices, which represents the shared-line limit rather than the 36-device virtual-line limit 44. On a physical device, the number of virtual lines is limited by the available line keys, and the same virtual line or shared line can be assigned to several line keys on 1 phone 2730.
Provisioning and administration
Only a full administrator or a user and device administrator can configure virtual lines in Control Hub 1.
Administrators can provision virtual lines using manual or bulk methods:
- Manual creation: Go to Control Hub > Services > Calling > Virtual Lines and enter the first name, last name, display name, location, phone number, and extension 19.
- Bulk creation: Download a CSV template from Control Hub and upload it with columns for first name, last name, display name, location, phone number, extension, and an Outgoing TRUE/FALSE field 12.
To assign a virtual line to a physical device, administrators can navigate either through the Devices section or through the Calling section via Services > Calling > Virtual Lines > select line > Devices > Assign device 10. To assign a virtual line to a user's Webex App, the path is Management > Users > user > Calling > User call experience > Application line assignment > Configure additional lines 9.
In Cisco Calling Plan PSTN locations, a virtual line must have the outbound calling plan enabled before it can make outgoing calls 39. When the Cisco Calling Plan toggle is enabled in Outgoing Call Permissions, the virtual line consumes 1 Cisco Calling Plan license 18. Cisco technotes count Cisco Calling Plan usage on virtual lines by checking the Cisco Calling Plan toggle within each virtual line's Outgoing Call Permissions page 17.
Endpoint and client support
Virtual lines are supported across several device types and soft clients, subject to specific restrictions: 29215446637
| Device / Client type | Support scope and requirements | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Multiplatform (MPP) phones | Supported on all MPP models except excluded devices 29 | Excludes models 7811, 7832, and 8832 29 |
| Wireless and DECT handsets | Supported on Webex Wireless Phone 840 and 860 54 | On DECT handsets, assignable only as line 2 21 |
| Third-party devices | Supported on Cisco-managed third-party IP phones eligible for Webex Calling 4647 | Not supported on third-party ATAs or third-party DECT handsets 46 |
| Webex App (Desktop & Mobile) | Supported starting on version 42.12 on desktop and version 45.3 on mobile and tablet 6 | Browser web client does not support multiple lines; assigned virtual lines do not appear there 37 |
Control Hub permits configuring up to 15 lines, including the primary line, on Webex App, though the application currently displays 10 of them 5. The end-user Webex App documentation states that a Webex Calling user can have 1 primary line and up to 9 shared lines, and administrators can also configure dedicated virtual lines 7. In Webex App, users can change the active line for outgoing calls, such as to place a call from a front desk line or an alternate caller ID 8.
Features and limitations
Each virtual line maintains its own call settings, including caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, and voicemail 14. A virtual line can also be added to auto attendants, call queues, call pickup, call park groups, hunt groups, paging groups, and monitoring lists 15.
Virtual lines have the following functional constraints:
- Call center soft keys appear on a virtual line only if the line is an assigned member of a call queue 16.
- Virtual lines cannot be assigned to executive or executive-assistant roles 31.
- A virtual line cannot be associated as a hoteling guest on a workspace device 32.
- A virtual line cannot monitor other numbers or call park extensions 33.
- Users cannot manage virtual line call settings via User Hub 35.
- Virtual line presence is not visible to other users inside Webex App 34.
Cross-location calling and survivability
Virtual lines created in 1 Webex Calling location can be assigned to devices and Webex App clients residing in a different location, such as assigning a UK virtual line to a US device 20. When placing calls, the call routing profile of the line's location governs the call, meaning PSTN calls follow the PSTN configuration of the virtual line's location rather than the physical device's location 42. Similarly, emergency calls route according to the location settings of the line chosen to place the call, which determines call routing and the Emergency Callback Number 22.
Regional and network limitations apply to cross-location deployments:
- A line in an Indian Webex Calling location cannot be assigned to a device in another location, and a line outside India cannot be assigned to a device inside an Indian location 25.
- When operating in survivability mode, virtual lines and shared lines originating from a different Webex Calling location do not register to the Survivability Gateway 45.
See also
- Webex Calling license types and entitlements
- Webex Calling supported devices and MPP firmware
- Webex Calling PSTN options and selection
- Webex Calling Site Survivability Gateway
- Webex Calling Call Queue as a product
Applicability
Applies to: Cisco Webex Calling and Cisco Webex App. Deployments: multi-tenant. Sources checked 2026-09-25. Support for assigning virtual lines to supported Cisco-managed third-party IP phones was announced in What's new in Webex Calling on 24 September 2026 47. Desktop Webex App deployments require version 42.12 or higher, and mobile or tablet deployments require version 45.3 or higher 6. Cross-location line assignment is restricted for locations in India, where cross-border assignment between Indian and non-Indian locations is not supported 25.
What remains uncertain
Pricing or add-on SKUs for virtual lines beyond the 1:1 Professional license entitlement are not covered by the sources below. Emergency calling behavior for virtual lines on Webex App and nomadic devices, including RedSky or dynamic location support, is not covered by the sources below. Virtual line support and line-key behavior on PhoneOS 9800 and 8875 devices are not covered by the sources below. Control Hub behavior when virtual lines exceed the 1:1 entitlement is not covered by the sources below. Verification of virtual line API paths, scopes, and creation fields against developer.webex.com is not covered by the sources below. Reconciliation between Webex App line limits (15 configured in Control Hub with 10 displayed versus 1 primary plus 9 shared lines) is not covered by the sources below. Whether same-location virtual lines register to the Survivability Gateway during survivability mode is not covered by the sources below. The complete list of per-virtual-line call settings, including call recording procedures, is not covered by the sources below.
See also
Related to
- Webex Calling call recording — Call recording is exposed as a per-virtual-line call setting; a reseller training page claims otherwise (recorded as disputed)
- Webex Calling device onboarding and activation codes — Virtual lines are assigned to MPP phones and Webex App only as non-primary lines after the device is onboarded
Referenced by
- Webex Calling call recording — Virtual lines carry their own recording settings; the recording article says a virtual line assigned to a Webex App user currently supports only the Always recording mode
Sources
- 1Only a full administrator or a user and device administrator can configure virtual lines in Control Hub.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Before you begin / Create a virtual line · Checked 2026-09-25
- 2Virtual lines are managed through the Webex Calling provisioning API under /v1/telephony/config/virtualLines, which supports list, get, create, update and delete plus per-line settings such as call forwarding and voicemail.inferredwxc_sdk.telephony.virtual_line package · VirtualLinesApi class; base path telephony/config/virtualLines · Checked 2026-09-25
- 3Creating a virtual line through the API requires first name, last name and location ID, plus either a phone number or an extension.inferredwxc_sdk.telephony.virtual_line package · VirtualLinesApi.create docstring · Checked 2026-09-25
- 4Reading virtual lines through the API needs the spark-admin:telephony_config_read scope; creating or deleting them needs spark-admin:telephony_config_write.inferredwxc_sdk.telephony.virtual_line package · VirtualLinesApi.list and .create docstrings · Checked 2026-09-25
- 5Control Hub allows up to 15 lines, including the primary line, on Webex App, but the app currently shows only 10 of them.Shared line appearance for Webex App · Limitations, first bullet · Checked 2026-09-25
- 6Virtual lines in Webex App need at least version 42.12 on desktop and 45.3 on mobile and tablet.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Supported devices list, Webex App bullet · Checked 2026-09-25
- 7On Webex Calling, the end-user Webex App article says a user can have one primary line and up to nine shared lines, and that the administrator can also configure dedicated virtual lines.Webex App | Multiple lines · Multiple lines overview · Checked 2026-09-25
- 8In Webex App, users can change the active line for outgoing calls, for example to call from a front desk line or from a line with a different caller ID.Webex App | Multiple lines · Change the active line · Checked 2026-09-25
- 9To assign a virtual line to a user's Webex App, go to Management > Users > user > Calling > User call experience > Application line assignment > Configure additional lines.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Assign virtual lines to Webex App · Checked 2026-09-25
- 10A virtual line can be assigned to a device from the Calling section (Services > Calling > Virtual Lines > select line > Devices > Assign device) or from the Devices section.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Assign virtual lines to a device from the Calling section; ...from the Device section · Checked 2026-09-25
- 11The cross-location article lists ATA devices, with restrictions, among the devices where shared lines and virtual lines from other locations can be assigned. It does not separate shared lines from virtual lines for ATAs.disputedConfiguration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations · Supported devices for cross-location assignment · Checked 2026-09-25
- 12Virtual lines can be created in bulk by downloading a CSV template from Control Hub and uploading it. Its columns are first name, last name, display name, location, phone number, extension and an Outgoing TRUE/FALSE field.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Upload virtual lines in bulk · Checked 2026-09-25
- 13The current Cisco article lists call recording among the call settings that can be configured for a virtual line.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Configure call settings for a virtual line · Checked 2026-09-25
- 14Each virtual line has its own call settings, including voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting and caller ID.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Configure call settings for a virtual line · Checked 2026-09-25
- 15A virtual line can be added to auto attendants, call park groups, call pickup, call queues, hunt groups, paging groups and monitoring lists.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Assign virtual lines to calling features · Checked 2026-09-25
- 16Call center soft keys appear for a virtual line only if the virtual line is a member of a call queue.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 17The Cisco technote counts Cisco Calling Plan usage by virtual lines by opening each virtual line's Outgoing Call Permissions page and checking the Cisco Calling Plan toggle.Verify Webex Calling License Usage · Check Virtual Lines with Cisco Calling Plan, steps 2-4 · Checked 2026-09-25
- 18A virtual line with the Cisco Calling Plan toggle on in Outgoing Call Permissions uses one Cisco Calling Plan license.Verify Webex Calling License Usage · Check Virtual Lines with Cisco Calling Plan · Checked 2026-09-25
- 19To create a virtual line manually, go to Control Hub > Services > Calling > Virtual Lines and enter first name, last name, display name, location, phone number and extension.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Create a virtual line manually · Checked 2026-09-25
- 20Virtual lines from one Webex Calling location can be assigned to devices and Webex App in a different location, for example a UK virtual line on a US user's device.Configuration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations · Overview / virtual lines across locations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 21On a DECT handset, a virtual line can be assigned only as line 2.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Supported devices list, DECT handset bullet · Checked 2026-09-25
- 22For emergency calls, the location settings of the line chosen to place the call decide how the call is routed and which Emergency Callback Number is used.Configuration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations · Emergency calling for cross-location lines · Checked 2026-09-25
- 23If a user places a 911 call on a virtual line that belongs to a different location from the phone, the call may be routed with the other location's settings and callback number rather than the caller's physical site. Administrators with cross-location lines should check this against their MLTS 911 obligations.inferredConfiguration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations · Emergency calling for cross-location lines · Checked 2026-09-25
- 24Virtual lines are entitled at a 1:1 ratio per Webex Calling Professional license.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview / licensing paragraph · Checked 2026-09-25
- 25A line from a Webex Calling location in India cannot be assigned to a device in another location, and a line from another location cannot be assigned to a device in an Indian location.Configuration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations · Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 26In the features-by-license table, the Virtual Line row is marked available for Professional user and Professional workspace licenses and unavailable for the Standard and Workspace licenses.Features available by license type for Webex Calling · Feature comparison table, row 'Virtual Line (1:1 ratio per Pro license)' · Checked 2026-09-25
- 27The number of virtual lines on one device is limited by how many line keys the device has.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview / device limits · Checked 2026-09-25
- 28A single virtual line can be assigned to at most 36 devices.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview / device limits · Checked 2026-09-25
- 29Virtual lines are supported on all Cisco Multiplatform (MPP) phone models except the 7811, 7832 and 8832.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Supported devices list · Checked 2026-09-25
- 30The same virtual line (or shared line) can be assigned to several line keys on one phone.Configure and manage Webex Calling devices · Configure lines — Add and reorder lines · Checked 2026-09-25
- 31Virtual lines cannot be assigned to executive or executive-assistant functions.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 32A virtual line cannot be associated with a workspace device as a hoteling guest.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 33A virtual line cannot be set up to monitor other numbers or call park extensions.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 34Presence for virtual lines is not visible to other people in Webex App.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 35Users cannot manage a virtual line's call settings from User Hub.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 36Creating a virtual line needs no additional license, user ID or email address.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview · Checked 2026-09-25
- 37The Webex App web (browser) client does not support multiple lines, so virtual lines assigned to the app do not appear there.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Assign virtual lines to Webex App · Checked 2026-09-25
- 38Virtual lines are not a separate Webex Calling license type. The features-by-license page lists them as a feature entitlement of the Professional license.Features available by license type for Webex Calling · Introduction and feature comparison table · Checked 2026-09-25
- 39A virtual line in a Cisco Calling Plan PSTN location needs the outbound calling plan enabled before it can make outgoing calls.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Create a virtual line / Outgoing calling plan note · Checked 2026-09-25
- 40Virtual lines can be assigned only to users and workspaces that hold a Webex Calling Professional license.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview / licensing paragraph · Checked 2026-09-25
- 41Webex Calling virtual lines let administrators give a Webex Calling user more than one line, so the user can place and receive calls on different assigned directory numbers.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview · Checked 2026-09-25
- 42When a user places a call on a line, the routing profile of that line's location is used, so PSTN calls follow the PSTN option of the line's location, not the device's location.Configuration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations · Call routing behaviour for cross-location lines · Checked 2026-09-25
- 43A virtual line cannot be the primary line of a user or workspace device. It can be assigned only as a secondary line.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview / device limits · Checked 2026-09-25
- 45In survivability mode, shared lines and virtual lines from a different Webex Calling location do not register to the Survivability Gateway.Configuration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations · Limitations / survivability · Checked 2026-09-25
- 46Virtual lines are supported on Cisco-managed third-party IP phones that are eligible for Webex Calling, but not on third-party ATAs or DECT handsets.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Supported devices list, third-party IP phones bullet; Limitations · Checked 2026-09-25
- 47The What's new in Webex Calling entry dated 24 September 2026 announced support for assigning virtual lines to supported Cisco-managed third-party IP phones.What's new in Webex Calling · September 24, 2026 — Virtual line support for Cisco-Managed Third-Party phones · Checked 2026-09-25
- 48Virtual lines are not supported on ATAs, conferencing stations, Room devices, customer-managed devices, voice gateways or generic SIP devices.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Supported devices / unsupported devices note · Checked 2026-09-25
- 49Cisco names four use cases: support staff handling high call volume across several queues and hunt groups, regional workers who want numbers in several local area codes, administrative staff handling executives' calls on shared lines, and executives who need separate private and public lines.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview, use case bullets · Checked 2026-09-25
- 50The Verizon Webex Calling training page states that virtual lines do not support call recording. This conflicts with the current Cisco article, which lists call recording among virtual-line call settings.disputedMulti-Line Support Using Virtual Lines · Limitations section · Checked 2026-09-25
- 51A Verizon Webex Calling training page states that virtual lines cannot be assigned to workspace devices. This conflicts with Cisco's current article, which allows assignment to Professional-licensed workspaces and excludes only hoteling-guest association.disputedMulti-Line Support Using Virtual Lines · Limitations section · Checked 2026-09-25
- 52A Webex Calling virtual extension maps an internal extension to an external phone number, such as a remote worker on another system. It is a different feature from a virtual line.Virtual extension configuration in Control Hub · Overview · Checked 2026-09-25
- 53A virtual line cannot be a primary line and needs a Professional-licensed user or workspace device to host it. A common-area phone whose only number is the shared number therefore needs a workspace, while a virtual line suits adding that number as an extra line on existing phones and apps.inferredMulti line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Overview (secondary-only and licensing paragraphs) · Checked 2026-09-25
- 54Virtual lines are supported on the Webex Wireless Phone 840 and 860.Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines · Supported devices list · Checked 2026-09-25
Documents
Configuration of shared lines and virtual lines across locations
Configure and manage Webex Calling devices
Features available by license type for Webex Calling
Multi line support in Webex Calling using virtual lines
Shared line appearance for Webex App
Verify Webex Calling License Usage
Virtual extension configuration in Control Hub
Webex App | Multiple lines
What's new in Webex Calling
Work with a shared line on your phone
Multi-Line Support Using Virtual Lines
wxc_sdk.telephony.virtual_line package
Cite this page
APA
WarmTransfer. (2026, September 25). Webex Calling virtual lines. WarmTransfer. https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/webex-calling-virtual-lines
BibTeX
@misc{warmtransfer-webex-calling-virtual-lines,
title = {Webex Calling virtual lines},
author = {{WarmTransfer}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/webex-calling-virtual-lines},
note = {Verified 2026-09-25}
}