For a variety of reasons, you might want to disable voicemail on your Android phone. Maybe you don’t want to pay for the service, or maybe you just don’t like the way it works. Whatever the reason, it’s easy to disable voicemail on Android. Here’s how to do it.
One way to disable voicemail is to contact your carrier. They can usually disable the service for you over the phone or online. However, some carriers may charge a fee to disable voicemail, so be sure to ask about that before you proceed.
Another way to disable voicemail is to use a third-party app. There are many different apps available in the Google Play Store that can help you disable voicemail. Some of these apps are free, while others require a paid subscription. However, most of these apps offer a free trial period, so you can try them out before you buy them.
Disable Voicemail via Phone App
**Step 1: Open the Phone App**
Locate the Phone app on your Android device and tap on it to open it. This app typically has a green phone icon and is used for making and receiving calls.
**Step 2: Access the Voicemail Tab**
Once the Phone app is open, you will see several tabs along the bottom of the screen. Tap on the “Voicemail” tab. This will display your voicemail messages and settings.
**Step 3: Disable Voicemail**
In the Voicemail tab, you will see a toggle switch or button labeled “Voicemail” or “Voicemail Service.” Tap on this switch or button to disable voicemail. Depending on your device and carrier, you may need to enter a password or PIN to complete the disabling process.
**Step 4: Verify Disabling**
Once you have toggled the switch or button, wait a few moments to ensure that voicemail has been fully disabled. You can try calling your own phone number from a different phone to check if voicemail picks up. If it does not, then voicemail has been successfully disabled.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues while disabling voicemail via the Phone app, try the following:
Issue | Solution |
---|---|
Voicemail is not disabled after toggling the switch | Restart your device and try again. |
Error message appears when disabling voicemail | Contact your carrier for assistance. |
Voicemail is still picking up after disabling | Ensure that you have entered the correct password or PIN when prompted. |
Disable Voicemail via Settings Menu
This method involves accessing the system settings of your Android device to disable voicemail. The steps may vary slightly depending on your device model and Android version, but the general process is as follows:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Navigate to the “Call” or “Phone” section.
3. Locate the “Voicemail” or “Voicemail & Call Forwarding” option.
4. Tap on the “Voicemail” option.
5. You should see a list of voicemail settings, including the option to “Disable Voicemail”.
6. Tap on the “Disable Voicemail” option.
7. Confirm your choice by tapping on the “OK” or “Disable” button.
After following these steps, voicemail should be disabled on your Android device. Incoming calls will no longer be directed to voicemail, and you will receive a notification instead.
Here is a table summarizing the steps to disable voicemail via the Settings menu:
Step | Action |
---|---|
1 | Open the Settings app. |
2 | Navigate to the Call or Phone section. |
3 | Locate the Voicemail option. |
4 | Tap on the Voicemail option. |
5 | Select the Disable Voicemail option. |
6 | Confirm your choice. |
Deactivate Voicemail via Carrier Website
You can disable voicemail through your carrier’s website. While the specific steps may vary depending on your carrier, the general process is similar.
1. Visit your carrier’s website and log in to your account.
2. Locate the section related to voicemail settings or call management.
3. Look for an option to disable or turn off voicemail. This option may be listed under a menu, a settings page, or a voicemail-specific section. **Here’s a table summarizing the steps for different carriers:**
Carrier | Instructions |
---|---|
AT&T | • Log in to your MyAT&T account. • Go to “My Wireless” and select “Manage Voicemail.” • Click on “Disable Voicemail.” |
Verizon | • Sign in to your My Verizon account. • Select “Services” and then “Manage Voicemail.” • Click on “Disable Voicemail.” |
T-Mobile | • Log in to your My T-Mobile account. • Go to “Account Settings” and select “Voicemail.” • Click on “Disable Voicemail.” |
4. Once you locate the disable voicemail option, follow the prompts to complete the process.
5. Confirm the deactivation of voicemail by making a test call to your phone number. If the call goes straight to voicemail, it means the voicemail service has been successfully disabled.
Turn Off Voicemail through Network Operator
If you prefer to disable voicemail through your network operator, follow these steps:
4. Contact Your Network Operator
Each network operator may have its own specific procedure for disabling voicemail. Here’s a general guideline on how to proceed:
Network Operator | Disable Voicemail Code |
---|---|
AT&T | *86 |
Verizon | *86 |
T-Mobile | #611 |
Sprint | *77 |
To disable voicemail using the network operator code:
- Dial the disable voicemail code. This code will typically be in the format *XX or #XX.
- Follow the prompts to confirm the deactivation of voicemail.
- Your voicemail will be successfully disabled. You can now confirm by attempting to call your own phone number to check if it goes straight to your phone without going to voicemail.
3. Disable Voicemail Temporarily
If you only need to disable voicemail temporarily, you can use a call forwarding code. This will forward all incoming calls to another number, so you won’t receive any voicemail messages. To disable voicemail temporarily using a call forwarding code:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the Menu button (three dots in the top-right corner).
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Voicemail.
- Tap the Call Forwarding tab.
- Enter the number you want to forward calls to in the Forward to field.
- Tap Enable.
5. Disable Voicemail Using a Third-Party App
There are a number of third-party apps available that can help you disable voicemail. These apps typically offer more features than the built-in voicemail app, such as the ability to block specific callers, set up custom voicemail greetings, and transcribe voicemail messages.
Here are some of the most popular third-party voicemail apps for Android:
App | Features |
---|---|
YouMail | Block specific callers, set up custom voicemail greetings, transcribe voicemail messages, and more. |
Google Voice | Get a free phone number, transcribe voicemail messages, and more. |
HulloMail | Block specific callers, set up custom voicemail greetings, and more. |
To disable voicemail using a third-party app, simply download and install the app from the Google Play Store. Then, open the app and follow the instructions to set it up. Once the app is set up, you can disable voicemail by following the steps in the app’s settings.
Set Call Forwarding to Bypass Voicemail
Call forwarding can be used to redirect all incoming calls to another number, effectively bypassing voicemail. This method is more reliable than disabling voicemail through your carrier, and it allows you to specify a custom destination number for your forwarded calls.
Steps:
1. Open the “Phone” app on your Android device.
2. Tap the “Settings” icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Call settings.”
4. Tap “Call forwarding.”
5. Choose the SIM card you want to set up call forwarding for (if applicable).
6. Select “Always forward” or “Forward when unanswered” (recommended).
7. Enter the phone number you want to forward calls to.
8. Tap “Enable.”
Here is a table summarizing the call forwarding options:
Option | Description |
---|---|
Always forward | Forwards all incoming calls to the specified number, regardless of whether or not you answer. |
Forward when unanswered | Forwards incoming calls only when you don’t answer them within a specified number of seconds. |
Once you have set up call forwarding, all incoming calls will be automatically redirected to the specified number, bypassing voicemail.
How To Disable Voicemail On Android
Block Voicemail Number
You can block the voicemail number by following these steps:
1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the Dialer tab.
3. Enter ##002# in the dialer.
4. Tap the Call button.
5. You will see a confirmation message that voicemail has been disabled.
6. To re-enable voicemail, enter ##002# in the dialer again and tap the Call button.
Disable Voicemail in the Phone App
You can also disable voicemail in the Phone app:
1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the Voicemail tab.
3. Tap the Settings button (three dots in the upper-right corner).
4. Tap the Disable voicemail option.
5. Tap the OK button to confirm.
Disable Voicemail in the Settings App
You can also disable voicemail in the Settings app:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the Network & internet section.
3. Tap the Mobile network option.
4. Tap the Voicemail option.
5. Tap the Disable voicemail option.
6. Tap the OK button to confirm.
Disable Voicemail for Specific Contacts
You can also disable voicemail for specific contacts:
1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the Contacts tab.
3. Select the contact you want to disable voicemail for.
4. Tap the Edit button.
5. Scroll down to the Voicemail section.
6. Tap the Disable voicemail option.
7. Tap the Save button to confirm.
Phone Carrier | Voicemail Deactivation Code |
---|---|
Verizon | *73 |
AT&T | *90 |
Sprint | ##864# |
T-Mobile | *21*1 voicemail number# |
Reactivate Voicemail
To reactivate voicemail:
1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the Voicemail tab.
3. Tap the Settings button (three dots in the upper-right corner).
4. Tap the Enable voicemail option.
5. Tap the OK button to confirm.
Use Third-Party Voicemail Apps
If your device’s built-in voicemail options don’t meet your needs, you can opt for third-party voicemail apps from the Google Play Store.
These apps offer a wide range of features, including:
- Customizable voicemail greetings
- Transcription of voicemails
- Integration with other apps (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox)
- Call screening and blocking
- Advanced voicemail management features
Some popular third-party voicemail apps include:
App Name | Features |
---|---|
YouMail | Customizable voicemail greetings, transcription, call screening, call blocking, voicemail storage |
Google Voice | Customizable voicemail greetings, transcription, call screening, call blocking, voicemail storage, Google account integration |
HulloMail | Customizable voicemail greetings, transcription, call screening, call blocking, voicemail storage, call recording |
Visual Voicemail | Customizable voicemail greetings, transcription, call screening, call blocking, voicemail storage, voicemail transcription |
Answering Machine Pro | Customizable voicemail greetings, transcription, call screening, call blocking, voicemail storage, advanced voicemail management features |
To use a third-party voicemail app, simply download the app from the Google Play Store and follow the setup instructions.
Contact Your Carrier for Assistance
If you’re unable to disable voicemail through your Android device’s settings, you may need to contact your carrier for assistance. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Dial the customer service number: Each carrier has its own dedicated customer service number. You can typically find it on your monthly bill, the carrier’s website, or the back of your SIM card packaging.
- Explain your request: Clearly state that you want to disable voicemail on your device. Provide your name, account number, and the phone number you’re trying to disable voicemail for.
- Follow the instructions: The customer service representative will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to disable voicemail. These instructions may vary depending on your carrier and the specific device you have.
Note: Some cellular providers offer voicemail service as a subscription-based feature. In this case, you might need to contact customer service to cancel the service rather than disable it.
Additional Information
9. Check for Any Pending Voicemails
Before disabling voicemail, check your inbox to ensure there are no important or urgent messages. Any pending voicemails will be deleted after you disable the feature.
Using the Phone App
Navigate to the “Settings” tab and select “Voicemail.” Click on “Voicemail settings” and switch off the “Enable voicemail” option.
Calling Your Voicemail
Dial your voicemail number as usual. When the automated assistant answers, press the star (*) key to enter the voicemail menu. Follow the prompts to disable voicemail.
Contacting Customer Support
Reach out to your carrier’s customer support line or visit their website. Provide your account details and request that they disable voicemail for you.
Using a Third-Party App
Install a voicemail management app from the Google Play Store. Apps like YouMail, Google Voice, and Visual Voicemail allow you to control and disable voicemail settings.
Troubleshooting Voicemail Deactivation
Common Issues and Solutions
Issue | Solution |
---|---|
Voicemail still active after deactivation | Restart your phone or wait up to 24 hours for the changes to take effect. |
Unable to call voicemail number | Check if your phone is connected to a network and that you are dialing the correct voicemail number. |
Voicemail settings not available in the Phone App | Your carrier may require you to use a different method to disable voicemail. Contact customer support for assistance. |
Error message when trying to deactivate voicemail | Note down the error message and contact your carrier’s customer support for further guidance. |
Voicemail gets reactivated automatically | Check your phone’s settings and ensure that voicemail is still disabled. If it persists, contact your carrier. |
How to Disable Voicemail on Android
Voicemail is a convenient feature that allows you to receive voice messages from callers when you are unable to answer the phone. However, if you find that you do not use voicemail or prefer to manage your messages in a different way, you can easily disable voicemail on your Android phone.
To disable voicemail on Android, follow these steps:
- Open the Phone app on your phone.
- Tap the Voicemail tab.
- Tap the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Tap the Disable voicemail toggle switch.
Once you have disabled voicemail, callers will no longer be able to leave voice messages for you. You will need to find another way to manage your missed calls, such as using a call screening app or setting up a Google Voice account.
People Also Ask About How to Disable Voicemail on Android
What happens if I disable voicemail?
If you disable voicemail, callers will no longer be able to leave voice messages for you. You will need to find another way to manage your missed calls, such as using a call screening app or setting up a Google Voice account.
Can I disable voicemail temporarily?
Yes, you can disable voicemail temporarily by turning on Do Not Disturb mode. When Do Not Disturb mode is turned on, all calls will be sent directly to voicemail. To turn on Do Not Disturb mode, go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb.
Why is my voicemail not working?
There are several reasons why your voicemail may not be working. Some common causes include:
- Your phone is not connected to a cellular network.
- Your voicemail service is not activated.
- Your voicemail inbox is full.
- Your voicemail password is incorrect.