Voicemail has become an essential feature on mobile devices, especially for iPhones. It allows you to obtain and listen to voice messages others when you are not available to take their calls. This feature has made communication much more convenient, especially when you are busy or unable to answer a call. However, there are times when you might want to turn off voicemail on your iPhone. There are several reasons why you should turn off voicemail. For instance, if you are traveling overseas and do not want to pay expensive roaming charges, turning off voicemail is a good idea. Similarly, if you have received too many spam calls and voicemail messages, turning off this feature can effectively avoid these disturbances. Knowing how to turn off voicemail iPhone is essential, especially if you want to avoid unnecessary charges or protect your privacy. In this post, we will walk you through the steps you need to take to turn off voicemail on your iPhone. So, whether you want to turn off voicemail temporarily or permanently, we've got you covered.
Four Ways to Deactivate Voicemail on iPhone
Method 1. Disable Voicemail Using a Shortcode
Turning off voicemail can be necessary for various reasons, such as when you're traveling abroad and don't want to incur charges for receiving voicemail messages. One way to turn off voicemail is by using a shortcode. Shortcodes are typically two to four-digit numbers that can be dialed from your phone to perform certain actions, such as disabling voicemail. You can turn off voicemail for your phone number by dialing the appropriate shortcode. This method is short and easy and can save you money if you're on a limited plan or want to avoid paying extra fees for voicemail services. To do it, check the steps below on how to turn off the voicemail on iPhone.
Codes:
- *#61# - for viewing the current settings of your voicemail
- #004# - for deactivating voicemail completely
- *#62# - for checking the number that calls are forwarded to when you're not available to answer
User Guide:
- To start with, tap the Phone icon on your home screen. Then, dial the appropriate shortcode depending on the action you want to take. You can use #004# to deactivate the voicemail completely.
- Next, press the Call button to dial the shortcode. On the next screen, you will see texts related to the voice call forwarding. Carefully read the instructions or prompts provided on the screen to ensure you understand your changes.
- Afterward, you can tap the "Dismiss" button below the text to finish the process. Finally, you can make a test call to your phone number to check if the voicemail has been successfully turned off.
Method 2. Contact Your Carrier or Customer Care
If the shortcode method doesn't work or you're unsure about changing your voicemail settings. Another option is to contact your carrier's customer care directly. This method is also useful if you want to turn off voicemail temporarily or need help with other voicemail-related issues like iPhone goes straight to voicemail. In this case, a customer care representative can assist you on how to disable voicemail on iPhone or guide you on using voicemail features on your phone. However, it is important to note that contacting your carrier may require some wait time. Additionally, you can search your carrier's contact on Google to find the appropriate customer service number to call. Here are some of the most popular service providers in the US.
- AT&T: Dial 611 or 1-800-331-0500
- T-Mobile or Sprint: 611 or call 1-800-937-8997
- Verizon: Dial *611 or call 1-800-922-0204
- Vodafone: Dial 199.
- Telus: Dial 611 or 1-866-558-2273
- BT Mobile: Dial 0800 800 150
- Rogers: Dial 611 or 1-888-764-3772
- Xfinity Mobile: Dial 1-888-936-4968
- Cricket: Dial 611 or 1-800-274-2538
Method 3. Forward the Call to Another Number
You can forward the call to another number if you still want to receive calls but prefer not to use voicemail. This can be done by accessing your phone's call-forwarding settings. However, ensure the Call Forwarding feature is enabled on your iPhone. Also, this method only works for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks, so it may not apply to CDMA network carriers. You can follow the guide provided below.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
- AT&T
- T-Mobile
CDMA network carriers
- Verizon
- Sprint
- Boost Mobile
User Guide:
- First, look for the Settings icon on your home screen. It looks like a cogwheel or a gear with a gray color. Then, scroll down and tap on the "Phone" or "Phone Settings" option.
- Under the Phone settings, you will find the "Call Forwarding" option. If the Call Forwarding is not enabled, tap the toggle button beside it. Sometimes, it takes some time to activate, so be patient.
- Afterward, you will see an option below called "Forward To." Tap on it to enter the phone number to which you want to forward your calls. Lastly, tap "Save" to confirm the changes or the back button to save the changes.
Method 4. Fill Up Your Voicemail Box
If you don't want to turn off voicemail iPhone, one way to prevent new messages from coming in is to fill up your voicemail box. This can be done by intentionally leaving your voicemail full so callers cannot leave a message. To do this, stop deleting your old voicemails or record a long message that takes up the entire storage capacity. Another option is to record a message that informs callers that your voicemail box is full and they should try calling back later. Additionally, you can call yourself using another phone. Many service providers consider a voicemail box "full" when it contains around 30-40 messages. You can tell you have left enough messages when you encounter an error stating "mailbox full" (or something similar) while attempting to leave a new one. Remember that this method might not be suitable if you're expecting important calls. Also, remember to regularly check your voicemail and delete old messages once you're ready to receive new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my existing voicemails after I turn off voicemail?
If you turn off voicemail, your existing voicemails will stay in your mailbox until you delete them. However, callers can no longer leave new messages for you. It's important to note that if you switch to a new phone or service provider, your existing voicemails may not transfer over. But if you want to recover your voicemail, use AceThinker iPhone Data Recovery. This software can retrieve all your files and store them on your computer. You can visit its main page to learn more about the software and to download its file.
Can I temporarily disable voicemail and enable it later?
Yes, you can temporarily turn off voicemail and enable it later. To do this, you can contact your service provider to request a temporary suspension of your voicemail service. When you're ready to turn it back on, contact your provider again to have the service reinstated.
Will I still receive missed call notifications if I turn off voicemail?
If you turn off voicemail, you will not receive missed call notifications for unanswered calls. However, if the caller leaves a voicemail before you turn off the service, you will still receive a notification for the missed call and the new voicemail message.
Conclusion
This article teaches you how to remove your voicemail on iPhone. Turning off voicemail can be a viable option for those who don't want to miss calls or receive any voicemails. It can also be useful for individuals looking to save money on their phone bills, as some carriers charge extra fees for voicemail services. However, before deciding to turn off voicemail, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks, such as missing important messages or not being able to receive any voicemails at all. Furthermore, the decision to turn off voicemail should depend on personal preferences and circumstances, and individuals should evaluate all the pros and cons before making a final decision. Ultimately, backup iPhone voicemail to avoid losing them.
