---
title: "How to Call a Lead from Master Inbox"
description: "Learn how to use SmartDialer to place calls, track activity, and manage call logs inside Smartlead."
url: https://helpcenter.smartlead.ai/en/articles/443-how-to-call-a-lead-from-master-inbox
collection: "SmartDialer"
updated: 2026-10-30
language: en
---

# How to Call a Lead from Master Inbox

Learn how to use SmartDialer to place calls, track activity, and manage call logs inside Smartlead.

SmartDialer lets you call your leads directly from Smartlead - with full email context, automatic call logging, recording, and AI-powered transcripts.

This guide walks you through:

1.  Setting up your calling number
    
2.  Making your first call
    
3.  Using the dialer during a call
    
4.  Logging call details
    
5.  Reviewing recordings and transcripts
    
6.  Handling common issues
    

## **1\. Getting Started: Purchase a Calling Number**

Before you can call leads, you need a dedicated phone number.

### **Step 1: Open a Lead in Master Inbox**

-   Go to **Master Inbox (**_From left hand navigation >> click on Engage tab » and then Master Inbox_**)**
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/dfRiToeW1ZSelY2iWbgE0sPWzFg7WiDhapJg1NFgIiVF8QMOxxyEhaU2ErcTt73oFIIcBMYbADj.png)

-   Open any lead conversation
    
-   Click **Call Lead**
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/nyF230hYbW5tSfhMz43vPV6iLoVjvYbCdyPpmrE6pHxOLi6S1z1JM7QRQC4nCqzA4B1Cx88WZtH.png)

If you don't have a number yet, you'll see:

_"You don't have a calling number yet."_

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/Xwc6wacDf0BGHBybhhc1hdhKBIjaZmin0kjnEsS1vEIeX7CXeS06zVOi0IOWUndiFjZt9lmblCh.png)

Click **Buy a Number**.

### **Step 2: Choose Your Number**

You can:

-   Search by area code (e.g., 415, 212)
    
-   Choose from available US local or toll-free numbers
    

Each number shows:

-   Phone number
    
-   Country
    
-   Region / Area code
    
-   Monthly cost
    

Select your preferred number and click **Confirm and Purchase**.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/rdOdpA6lG6T4pdxQtZ6nvEZulBFwG2Fe5WjfgKcRmdhWjwiEqfftRzrFLTkvdFU2vqr3Yi9WKoc.png)

### **Step 3: Complete Payment**

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/4rgTJ5THFKuEz9cOp4KjMJyllgHeckCD50m7cZLQrzo6kwprNYvYtZ09kcO3ZEpgRvHcbdpRVZm.png)

You'll see:

-   Monthly cost breakdown
    
-   Notes on auto-renewal and compliance
    

Key details:

-   Numbers auto-renew monthly
    
-   Mid-cycle cancellations are non-refundable
    
-   Each number is tied to one workspace
    
-   Usage and recording comply with telecom regulations
    

Click **Make Secure Payment** to complete via Stripe.

Once payment is successful:

-   Your number is provisioned automatically
    
-   You can start calling immediately
    
-   No manual setup required
    

**Don't miss callbacks:** you can forward calls that come in to your new number to any phone. See [_Exploring SmartDialer: Call Queue, Logs & Numbers_](https://helpcenter.smartlead.ai/en/articles/453-exploring-smartdialer-call-queue-logs-and-numbers.md) (Section 9: Settings: Inbound Calling).

## **2\. Making Your First Call**

Once your number is active:

1.  Open a lead conversation in **Master Inbox**
    
2.  Click **Call Lead (**refer to the first screenshot**)**
    

You'll see the **Start a Call** modal (see below screenshot).

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/Bqfk7nlFHmNFhe52sI0y8k0rDjtknWOnEPH2ZOkDuP9dRrSPYBygGerGswof9TYfJA0Af78Didm.png)

**Note**: Client Number is hidden in the above screenshot.

> **Info:** If the lead does not have a phone number, the Call Lead button will be disabled. Add a phone number to the lead before proceeding.

### **Start a Call Modal**

You can:

-   Select **Your Number** (if you own multiple numbers)
    
-   Confirm the **Client Number**
    
-   Toggle **Record Call** (ON by default)
    

Click **Start Call**.

**International Calling:** you're not limited to calling domestic leads. Your US number can also call international numbers - no separate local number needed per country.

> **Info:** If your browser blocks microphone access, SmartDialer will not initiate the call. Allow microphone permissions in your browser settings, refresh the page, and try again.

## **3\. During the Call**

The SmartDialer interface appears as a floating panel.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/uT62rBHVSbm2lcJF0BjpyVdd2nIQ9CqsbWkQjJvThLkkagkUpp4mKpe0TWmzempZSrqfpB5J4ng.png)

In the call active state, you'll see:

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/rLaZS3gkiFwEjlvLXzKWdmXyq2S9mXtQxcphbxH0YVgO52TvUdCLPYnCPlitTpwuiuiW0iCY8qi.png)

-   Call timer
    
-   Recording indicator
    
-   Lead name and phone number
    
-   Mute button
    
-   End Call button
    
-   Add Context option
    
-   Voicemail Drop option - drop a pre-recorded voicemail and automatically hang up if the call goes unanswered
    

For how to record, upload, and manage your saved voicemails, and how to drop one mid-call, see: [_How to Create a Voicemail in SmartDialer_](https://helpcenter.smartlead.ai/en/articles/462-how-to-create-a-voicemail-in-smartdialer.md).

Important:

-   Email history remains visible in the background.
    
-   You can reference past conversations while speaking.
    

## **Recording**

-   Recording is enabled by default.
    
-   You can turn it off before starting the call.
    
-   A recording indicator shows when recording is active.
    

## **4\. After the Call Ends**

When you end the call, SmartDialer prompts you to log call details.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/afc4EpdFNqkJZDNsnxMyIdRzcvl2UxDRoKgs7MMczhPPqkdFjE0icgyWVu44OrzSiWvA3DGcOuy.png)

### **Log Call Details**

You can add:

-   **Purpose** (e.g., Qualification Call)
    
-   **Tags**
    
-   **Notes** (up to 500 characters)
    

Click **Submit** to save.

If you skip logging:

-   The call will still be saved
    
-   But it won't include purpose, tags, or notes
    

You can choose:

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/c30l3vezpPbisN9Vl0E7hXbSlrBhxmEi2GPhBnu8LXXlNkdCUscgydWeXYjJLXB1u6VwTKs7d62.png)

-   **Skip for Now**
    
-   Or go back and complete logging
    

> **Info:** If the client's network drops during the call, you'll see a "Your call was disconnected" message. The partial call will still be logged in the timeline, and you can click Call Again to reconnect.

### **View Transcript**

When the call is ended, if transcript generation is complete, you'll see:

"Call recording and transcript are now ready for review."

Click **View Transcript** to open it.

> **Info:** If transcript generation is still processing, it will appear in the timeline shortly after the call ends.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/LhLMz3uLMNJ9DQwxYOZrsWDCsnHF2U8bmm9xBpPbGcg6RN8NSOi6VYmloYvZ5sybJNbl7GqAAAf.png)

  
  

## **5\. Call Logging & Timeline**

Every call is automatically logged inside the lead's Master Inbox timeline.

You'll see:

-   Call date
    
-   Duration
    
-   Time range
    
-   Recording section
    
-   Transcript section
    
-   Edit option
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/n3xHzoXzKLV7EQvlGJPlQ8Z6CbrFpI3svgknCKOqnnr4C0xHyJpXRaC29a3jI32ow34bH8W9KL7.png)

This ensures:

-   Calls are linked to the correct lead
    
-   Call activity sits alongside emails and subsequences
    
-   Sales history remains centralized
    

Transcripts are generated automatically after the call ends.

Features:

-   Timestamped sections
    
-   Speaker separation
    
-   Scrollable transcript view
    

## **Best Practices for Using SmartDialer**

-   Always confirm phone number before calling
    
-   Keep recording enabled for transcript benefits
    
-   Add purpose and tags immediately after call
    
-   Use transcript timestamps to review objections
    
-   Call while referencing email history for contextual follow-ups
    
-   Use a Call sequence step for leads you want to prioritize for a live conversation partway through your outreach
    
-   Set up inbound call forwarding on your numbers so callbacks from leads reach you
    

## SmartDialer Pricing

SmartDialer plans start from **$9/month** and go up to **$699/month**, depending on the number of minutes and users selected.

-   Calls are billed per minute
    
-   Call recording & transcription are billed at a higher per-minute rate
    
-   Forwarded inbound calls are billed as outbound minutes at the destination country's rate
    
-   Higher plans offer more minutes and lower per-minute costs
    
-   Some tiers include unlimited minutes
    

US local and toll-free numbers start at **$1 per number / month**.

You can view available plans, pricing tiers, and estimated minutes inside your account:

**Profile → Settings → Subscription → SmartDialer**

Pricing updates dynamically based on your selected plan.