Voicemail is a convenient feature that allows you to receive messages from callers when you’re unable to answer your phone. However, there may be times when you want to turn off voicemail, such as when you’re on vacation or in a meeting. Fortunately, turning off voicemail is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps.
In addition to being convenient, turning off voicemail can also help you save money. Many carriers charge a monthly fee for voicemail service, so if you’re not using it, you can save money by turning it off. Additionally, turning off voicemail can help you avoid missing important calls. If your voicemail is full, callers may not be able to leave a message, which could result in you missing out on important information.
Overall, turning off voicemail is a simple process that can save you money and help you avoid missing important calls. If you’re not using voicemail, or if you’re going to be away from your phone for an extended period of time, consider turning it off. You can easily turn it back on when you return.
Disabling Voicemail on Android Phones
In the realm of mobile communication, voicemail serves as an indispensable tool for preserving missed calls and messages. However, there may come a time when you seek to deactivate this service, either temporarily or permanently. Android smartphones provide a straightforward and customizable approach to disabling voicemail, allowing you to regain control over your incoming calls and notifications.
To embark on the process of disabling voicemail on your Android device, delve into the labyrinths of your phone’s settings. Begin by navigating to the “Phone” application, which serves as the central hub for managing all aspects of your telephony experience. Within this application, locate the “Voicemail” option and tap upon it to access the voicemail settings.
Upon entering the voicemail settings, you will be presented with a plethora of options tailored to your specific device and carrier. To disable voicemail, you must locate the “Disable voicemail” setting, which may be labeled differently depending on your device and carrier. Tap on this setting and confirm your selection to permanently deactivate voicemail on your Android phone. With this action, you will no longer receive voicemail notifications or messages, allowing you to enjoy an uninterrupted and streamlined calling experience.
Deactivating Voicemail on iPhones
If you want to check a voicemail you’ve received, dial 00 1 801-641-0582 from your iPhone.
If you get a message that says “Your voicemail isn’t set up,” you don’t have voicemail.
You can also deactivate voicemail by contacting your carrier.
Voicemail Settings
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Phone.
Tap Voicemail.
Tap Deactivate Voicemail.
Enter your carrier password.
Tap Turn Off.
Through Your Carrier
You can also deactivate voicemail by contacting your carrier. Here are the steps for some of the major carriers:
| Carrier | Steps |
|---|---|
| AT&T | Dial **86 and press Send. Follow the prompts to deactivate voicemail. |
| Verizon | Dial *86 and press Send. Follow the prompts to deactivate voicemail. |
| T-Mobile | Dial #86 and press Send. Follow the prompts to deactivate voicemail. |
| Sprint | Dial *86 and press Send. Follow the prompts to deactivate voicemail. |
Removing Voicemail from Landlines
Landline voicemail can be a helpful feature, but there may come a time when you want to disable it. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Access Your Voicemail
Dial your voicemail access number. This number is typically *86 or **86. Once you hear the voicemail prompt, enter your password.
Step 2: Navigate to the Settings Menu
Once you’re in your voicemail, use the keypad to navigate to the settings menu. The specific steps may vary depending on your phone and voicemail system. Generally, you’ll press a certain number (e.g., 4) or say “Settings.”
Step 3: Disable Voicemail
Within the settings menu, you’ll find an option to disable voicemail. This option may be labeled “Turn Off Voicemail,” “Disable Voicemail,” or something similar. Select this option and follow the prompts to confirm your choice.
Here’s a more detailed description of the steps involved in disabling voicemail from landlines:
| Phone Brand | Access Number | Settings Menu | Disable Voicemail |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | *86 | Press 4 | Select “Turn Off Voicemail” |
| Verizon | **86 | Say “Settings” | Select “Voicemail Settings” > “Turn Off Voicemail” |
| Spectrum | *86 | Press 8 | Select “My Phone Options” > “Turn Off Voicemail” |
| Frontier | *86 | Press 5 | Select “Voicemail Management” > “Disable Voicemail” |
Turning Off Voicemail Using Shortcodes
Shortcodes are short, numeric codes that can be used to control various features on your phone. To turn off voicemail using a shortcode, follow these steps:
1. Dial the voicemail shutoff code
The voicemail shutoff code varies depending on your carrier. Here are the codes for the major carriers in the United States:
| Carrier | Code |
|---|---|
| AT&T | *86 |
| Verizon | *88 |
| T-Mobile | #46363 |
| Sprint | *88 |
2. Press the send/dial button
Once you have dialed the shortcode, press the send/dial button on your phone. This will send a request to your carrier to turn off your voicemail.
3. Wait for a confirmation message
You will usually receive a confirmation message from your carrier once voicemail has been turned off. If you do not receive a confirmation message, try sending the shortcode again.
4. Verify that voicemail is turned off
To verify that voicemail is turned off, try calling your own number. If the call goes straight to voicemail, then voicemail is still turned on. If the call goes straight to your phone, then voicemail is turned off.
Contacting the Carrier for Voicemail Removal
To disable voicemail through your carrier, you need to contact their customer service department. The specific steps may vary depending on your carrier, but here are some general guidelines:
- Gather Your Account Information: Have your account number and PIN ready. You may need to provide other information as well, such as your name and address.
- Contact Customer Service: Call your carrier’s customer service hotline or access their support website. You can typically find the contact information on your bill or on your carrier’s website.
- Explain Your Request: Let the customer service representative know that you want to disable voicemail. Provide the account information you gathered earlier to verify your identity.
- Follow the Instructions: The customer service representative will provide you with specific instructions on how to disable voicemail. You may be asked to dial a series of numbers or to follow instructions on your phone’s keypad.
- Verify the Removal: Once you have followed the instructions, call your own phone number to verify that voicemail has been disabled. You should hear a message stating that there is no voicemail available.
Alternative Methods
Here are a few alternative methods you can try if you have trouble contacting your carrier:
- Use the Carrier’s App: Some carriers offer an app that allows you to manage your account, including disabling voicemail.
- Visit a Retail Location: If there is a retail location for your carrier nearby, you can visit them in person to request that voicemail be disabled.
- Send an Email: You can also try sending an email to your carrier’s customer support address to request that they disable voicemail for you.
Configuring Voicemail Settings to Block Calls
Voicemail can be a convenient way to receive messages when you’re unavailable, but it can also be annoying if you’re getting unwanted calls or spam. Fortunately, most voicemail systems allow you to block certain numbers from leaving messages.
Here are the steps on how to configure voicemail settings to block calls:
1. Access your voicemail settings
The first step is to access your voicemail settings. This can usually be done by dialing your voicemail number from your phone. Once you’re connected to your voicemail, follow the prompts to access your settings.
2. Find the call blocking options
Once you’re in your voicemail settings, look for the call blocking options. These options may be located in a section called “Blocked Numbers” or “Call Screening.”
3. Add the numbers you want to block
Once you’ve found the call blocking options, you can start adding the numbers you want to block. You can usually do this by entering the number into a field and then clicking a “Block” button.
4. Save your changes
Once you’ve added all the numbers you want to block, be sure to save your changes. This will ensure that the numbers you’ve blocked are no longer able to leave messages on your voicemail.
5. Test the call blocking
Once you’ve saved your changes, you can test the call blocking to make sure it’s working. To do this, call your voicemail from a number that you’ve blocked. If the call is blocked, you’ll hear a message saying that the number is not allowed to leave a message.
6. Unblocking numbers
If you ever need to unblock a number, you can usually do this by following the same steps you used to block the number. Once you’re in the call blocking options, simply find the number you want to unblock and click the “Unblock” button.
| Carrier | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Verizon | To block a number on Verizon, dial *611 from your Verizon phone and follow the prompts. You can also block numbers online by logging into your My Verizon account. |
| AT&T | To block a number on AT&T, dial *60 from your AT&T phone and follow the prompts. You can also block numbers online by logging into your AT&T account. |
| T-Mobile | To block a number on T-Mobile, dial *72 from your T-Mobile phone and follow the prompts. You can also block numbers online by logging into your T-Mobile account. |
| Sprint | To block a number on Sprint, dial ##4 from your Sprint phone and follow the prompts. You can also block numbers online by logging into your Sprint account. |
Utilizing Third-Party Apps for Voicemail Removal
For those seeking a more sophisticated approach to voicemail management, third-party apps offer a range of versatile solutions. These apps not only allow you to access and manage your voicemails, but also provide advanced features such as transcription, spam filtering, and customizable greetings. Some popular options in this category include:
| App | Features |
|---|---|
| YouMail | Transcription, spam filtering, personalized greetings, call blocking |
| Google Voice | Transcription, spam filtering, voicemail forwarding |
| Visual Voicemail | Easy-to-use interface, visual representation of voicemails |
To use these apps, you typically need to create an account and link it to your phone number. Once configured, you can access your voicemails through the app’s interface, where you can listen to them, manage them, and set up customized settings such as greetings and spam filters. Some apps even offer additional features such as voicemail transcription, which can be particularly useful for those who prefer to read their messages rather than listen to them.
Disabling Voicemail Notification Alerts
Voicemail notification alerts can be a useful way to stay on top of your messages, but they can also be distracting or annoying. If you’re not interested in receiving voicemail notifications, there are a few ways to disable them.
Check Your Phone’s Settings
The first place to check for voicemail notification settings is your phone’s settings menu. The specific steps may vary depending on your phone model, but you should be able to find the voicemail settings under the “Phone” or “Messages” section.
Disable Notifications in the Voicemail App
If you’re using a dedicated voicemail app, you may be able to disable notifications from within the app itself. Open the voicemail app and look for a settings menu. There should be an option to turn off notifications.
Contact Your Carrier
If you’re unable to disable voicemail notifications through your phone’s settings or the voicemail app, you may need to contact your carrier. They can help you disable voicemail notifications for your account.
Other Options
In addition to the methods listed above, there are a few other things you can do to disable voicemail notification alerts:
- Forward your calls to another number. This will prevent your voicemail from being activated, and you won’t receive any voicemail notifications.
- Set your voicemail to “Do Not Disturb” mode. This will silence all voicemail notifications until you turn off Do Not Disturb mode.
- Use a call blocking app. There are a number of call blocking apps available that can block calls from specific numbers, including voicemail numbers.
Conclusion
Disabling voicemail notification alerts can be a helpful way to reduce distractions and improve your overall phone experience. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily disable voicemail notifications on your phone.
9. Changing Voicemail Greetings to Reject Calls
Alternatively, you can customize your voicemail greeting to reject incoming calls. This method is less straightforward than the previous ones but offers more flexibility. Follow these steps:
Customize Your Greeting
- Call your voicemail and access your settings.
- Select the “Greeting” option.
- Record a custom greeting that includes the following statement: “I’m sorry, I’m not able to take your call at this time. Please leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
Enable Voicemail Rejection
- Access your device settings.
- Locate the “Phone” or “Voicemail” section.
- Enable the “Reject Calls with Text Message” or “Send Direct to Voicemail” option.
Additional Notes
- The exact steps may vary depending on your device and carrier.
- Make sure to record your greeting in a clear and professional voice.
- If you want to reject calls from specific numbers, you can create a blacklist in your device settings.
| Device | Setting Path |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings > Phone > Voicemail > Custom Greeting |
| Android | Phone app > Settings > Voicemail > Greeting > Reject Calls |
Setting Do Not Disturb to Prevent Voicemail Activation
To prevent voicemail from activating when Do Not Disturb is enabled, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Scroll down and tap “Do Not Disturb.”
- Under “Calls,” tap “Allow Calls From.”
- Select “Favorites” or “Contacts Only” to prevent calls from voicemail.
Exceptions
You can make exceptions for specific contacts or apps so that they can still reach you when Do Not Disturb is turned on.
- Open the Do Not Disturb settings (as instructed above).
- Under “Exceptions,” tap “Calls.”
- Toggle on the switch next to the contact or app you want to allow.
Clearing Missed Voicemails
If you have received voicemails while Do Not Disturb was activated, you can clear them by following these steps:
- Dial your own phone number.
- Press 2 to access your voicemail settings.
- Press 3 to listen to your voicemails.
- Press 7 to clear all voicemails.
How to Turn Off Voicemail
Having voicemail can be convenient, but it may not be necessary or desired in certain situations. Here’s how to deactivate voicemail on your phone:
- Dial your voicemail number.
- Enter your voicemail password.
- Follow the automated instructions to turn off voicemail.
- Confirm your voicemail has been turned off.
Note that specific instructions may vary depending on your phone model and carrier.
People Also Ask About How to Turn Off Voicemail
How do I know if my voicemail is turned off?
Call your own phone number from a different device. If you hear a message saying “This mailbox is full” or “This mailbox has not been set up,” then your voicemail is likely turned off.
Will I lose my voicemail messages if I turn off voicemail?
Yes, any existing voicemail messages will be deleted when you turn off voicemail. However, some carriers may offer a service to retrieve deleted voicemail messages for a fee.
Can I turn off voicemail temporarily?
Yes, some carriers allow you to temporarily suspend voicemail by dialing a specific code or using an app. This may be useful if you are expecting a high volume of calls and don’t want to listen to voicemail messages multiple times.
