Whether it’s time, money, or a game of cat and mouse when it comes to voicemail messages, there are many reasons why you might want to turn off your voicemail service.
Keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to turn off voicemail on your phone, using several different methods depending on what works for your device and service provider.
Also consider the many alternatives that can make voicemail useful to you, especially if your phone is your primary point of contact for business. If you still want the benefits of voicemail, but wish it were simpler, consider using a smart voicemail app. applications like vxt voicemail are designed so that you can read your voice messages as if they were text messages. vxt is available on the app store and google play.
If you want to disable your voicemail so that others cannot leave messages for you, the quickest and easiest way to do this is to use an mmi code. An MMI code, or human-machine interface code, is a way your phone communicates with your mobile service provider and changes settings that affect how your phone handles calls (among other things).
One of these codes is ##004#, which tells your mobile service provider to disable your conditional call forwarding settings. this disables a feature that your voicemail relies on to work. therefore, when your conditional call forwarding setting is disabled, your voicemail is disabled as well.
however, not all mobile service providers comply with global standards around mmi codes, although they are required to do so. this means that depending on your provider, this method might not work. try dialing ##004# from your phone app as shown in the screenshot below, and then make a test call using another phone to see if your voicemail has been disabled correctly.
Some phone providers, like optus in Australia, for example, don’t allow ##004# as a method of turning off voicemail, but offer alternatives.
In the case of optus, you can dial 1509 and call the number. follow the prompts and select the ‘voicemail‘ option and follow this by choosing the ‘off‘ option. If you are using a postpaid mobile service, you can also use the optus sms menu by texting the number “8” to 9999 and following the remaining prompts.
Service codes from other popular carriers should be available on their websites. if calling ##004# doesn’t work for you, try googling “[carrier name] call forwarding codes” or “how to turn off [carrier name] voicemail”. operator]”. or you can try any of the other methods described below.
Unfortunately, this method only works for android devices. For iphone users, please try the other methods provided.
The specific type of voicemail settings you’ll have access to will depend on the phone you’re using and the service provider you’re with. you may not have the ability to turn off your voicemail in some cases. in that case, try the other methods as well.
To see if your phone is capable of turning off voicemail through its settings, look in your voicemail settings and look for an option to ‘turn off‘ or ‘turn off ‘ . if you find the right option, disabling it will turn off the voicemail feature. remember, you can always re-enable your voicemail services using this method in reverse.
You can also disable “call forwarding” through your phone’s call settings. this can be found by going into settings in your phone’s calling app, then choosing “supplementary services” and then selecting “disable” to forward when busy, not answer or not available. If you need more help on how to do this, watch this video which will take you step by step through the best methods available.
Having to check voicemail messages is a dreaded task for many. To get the benefits of using voicemail without the hassle, consider switching to a visual voicemail app. A visual voicemail app makes checking your voicemails more like checking text messages. visual voicemail apps work together with your service provider to make your life easier.
With a visual voicemail app, your messages are transcribed and displayed on an email-like screen, allowing you to quickly read and prioritize them without poring over each audio message. you don’t even need to dial a number to find out who left the call, how long the message lasted, or what the content of the message was. just open the app and scroll through and read your voicemails, in the order you choose.
Some voicemail apps have marketplace integrations, which means you can receive your messages in third-party apps like slack, microsoft teams, and salesforce. You can also use voicemail apps with landlines and toll-free numbers, not just mobile numbers. Plus, if you’re a busy professional, you can share your voicemail inbox with others, like your colleagues, and set up multiple inboxes if you have more than one phone number.
Voicemail apps like vxt have options for individuals as well as professionals and business owners, who leave a lot of voicemails. the time saved can add up to hours each week, which can be spent on other, more meaningful tasks.
iphone: Download vxt for ios from the apple app store.
android: download vxt for android on google play store.
computer: try vxt for free on google chrome, safari and other browsers on vxt.
While some phones will allow you to manually disable your voicemail, most voicemail services are controlled by your service provider. this means you may need to contact your mobile operator’s support team to deactivate your voicemail. calling your service provider’s helpline will put you in touch with a representative who can help you (for example, in the case of optus, call 13 39 37). contact information for your specific carrier will be available on their website.
If you’re not sure who your service provider is, check your phone’s home page or billing information. service hotlines are free, however consider setting aside some time in your day if you decide to call. call traffic can be high depending on the time of day and you may be kept on hold for a long period of time while you wait to get in touch with someone.
Alternatively, you can connect and register your profile with your service provider on their website. Once you’ve created an account, you can usually change your voicemail feature in the account settings tab. this will save you the time and hassle of contacting the service provider directly.
Once you’ve gone through the various methods of disabling your voicemail in one way or another, it’s a good idea to see for yourself that it’s been done. call your number from another phone or ask a friend to dial your number and test your phone. do not answer the incoming call and see if the calling line is asked to leave a message. if there is no voicemail option, you know you have successfully deleted your voicemail.