7 Easy Steps to Shut Off Voicemail

Have you ever been in a situation where your voicemail is full and you can’t receive any new messages? It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re waiting for an important call. Fortunately, there’s a quick and easy way to shut off your voicemail so you can start receiving messages again. In this article, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to turn off voicemail on your cell phone. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of doing so, such as freeing up storage space and reducing distractions.

One of the main benefits of turning off voicemail is that it can free up storage space on your phone. Voicemail messages can take up a lot of space, especially if they are long or if you have a lot of them. By turning off voicemail, you can free up this space and use it to store other things, such as photos, videos, or apps. Additionally, turning off voicemail can help to reduce distractions. When your voicemail is on, you may be tempted to check it frequently to see if you have any new messages. This can be a distraction, especially if you’re trying to focus on something else.

If you’re ready to turn off voicemail on your cell phone, follow these steps:
1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the Voicemail tab.
3. Tap the Settings icon.
4. Tap the Turn off voicemail switch.
5. Confirm that you want to turn off voicemail.
Once you’ve followed these steps, your voicemail will be turned off. You will no longer be able to receive voicemail messages, but you will still be able to make and receive phone calls.

Accessing Your Voicemail Settings

To begin the process of disabling your voicemail, you must first access your voicemail settings. This can vary slightly depending on your phone and service provider, but the general steps are outlined below:

1. Dial Your Voicemail

Dial the designated voicemail number for your service provider. This number can be found on your phone bill, in your phone’s settings, or on the website of your carrier. The specific number for each carrier varies, but common examples include:

Carrier	Voicemail Number
Verizon	*86
AT&T	*86
T-Mobile	*86
Sprint	*86

Once you dial the voicemail number, you will be prompted to enter your password. If you have not set up a password before, the default password is usually the last four digits of your phone number.

2. Navigate the Voicemail Menu

After entering your password, you will be presented with a menu of options. These options may vary depending on your service provider, but typically include options to listen to your messages, change your password, and adjust your settings.

Deactivating Voicemail Through Phone Options

To deactivate voicemail through your phone’s options, follow these steps:

Open the Phone app. Locate the phone icon on your home screen or in the app drawer and tap it to open the Phone app.
Go to the voicemail tab. In the Phone app, tap the "Voicemail" tab or icon. This will take you to your voicemail inbox.
Find the voicemail settings. Look for a settings icon or gear symbol. It may be located in the top-right corner of the screen or in the "More" menu.
Turn off voicemail. In the voicemail settings, look for an option to disable or turn off voicemail. This may be labeled as "Deactivate Voicemail," "Disable Voicemail," or "Turn Off Voicemail."
Confirm your choice. You may be prompted to confirm that you want to deactivate voicemail. Tap "Yes" or "OK" to confirm.

Once you have followed these steps, your voicemail will be deactivated and you will no longer receive voicemail messages. If you want to reactivate voicemail later, you can follow the same steps and choose the "Activate Voicemail" option.

Disabling Voicemail Using Carrier Websites

Many carriers allow you to disable voicemail through their online websites. Here’s how to do it for some major carriers:

Verizon

1. Sign in to your My Verizon account.
2. Select “My Devices” from the top menu.
3. Choose the device you want to disable voicemail for.
4. Click on “Manage Device.”
5. Scroll down to the “My Services” section and find “Voicemail.”
6. Click on “Manage Service.”
7. Toggle the “Voicemail” switch to “Off.”

AT&T

1. Visit the AT&T Voicemail management page.
2. Sign in with your AT&T user ID and password.
3. Select the phone number you want to disable voicemail for.
4. Click on the “Edit” button.
5. Uncheck the box next to “Enable Voicemail.”
6. Click on the “Save” button.

T-Mobile

1. Sign in to your T-Mobile account.
2. Click on “My Profile” in the top menu.
3. Select “Account Settings.”
4. Scroll down to the “Voicemail” section.
5. Toggle the “Voicemail” switch to “Off.”

Sprint

1. Visit the Sprint Voicemail management page.
2. Enter your phone number and last name.
3. Click on the “Submit” button.
4. Select the “Settings” tab.
5. Uncheck the box next to “Enable Voicemail.”
6. Click on the “Save” button.

Configuring Call Forwarding to Bypass Voicemail

Call forwarding can effectively bypass voicemail by routing incoming calls directly to another number, such as your mobile phone or another voicemail system. Most carriers provide call forwarding services that integrate seamlessly with their voicemail.

Steps for Configuring Call Forwarding:

Dial the call forwarding activation code: This code varies depending on your carrier. Consult your carrier’s website or user guide for specific instructions.
Enter the forwarding number: Key in the phone number where you want to redirect incoming calls. This can be your mobile number or a different voicemail box.
Choose the forwarding type: Select whether you want all calls forwarded (unconditional forwarding) or only specific calls, such as when your line is busy or unanswered (conditional forwarding).
Confirm and activate: Once you’ve configured your forwarding settings, confirm your selections and activate the service by following the carrier’s instructions. You will typically receive a confirmation message informing you that call forwarding has been successfully set up.

Carrier	Activation Code
Verizon	*72
AT&T	*21
T-Mobile	21
Sprint	*72

Using Third-Party Apps to Disable Voicemail

If your phone’s built-in settings don’t provide a straightforward way to disable voicemail, you can turn to third-party apps for assistance. Several reputable apps are available on app stores, both for Android and iOS devices, that offer advanced call management features, including the ability to disable voicemail.

Here are a few highly rated apps that you can consider:

App Name	Features
Call Control	– Advanced call blocking and filtering options – Call recording (with consent) – Voicemail management
Mr. Number	– Comprehensive call and text blocker – Spam call identification – Voicemail customization and disabling
Truecaller	– Caller ID and spam detection – Call recording (premium feature) – Voicemail management, including disabling

Once you have chosen an app, follow the in-app instructions to connect it to your phone number and adjust the voicemail settings as desired. These apps typically provide intuitive user interfaces that make it easy to disable voicemail and manage other call-related features.

Contacting Your Carrier for Assistance

If you’re unable to turn off voicemail using the self-service methods, you can contact your carrier’s customer support team for assistance. Here’s how to get in touch with your carrier:

Phone: Dial the customer service number provided by your carrier. Typically, you can find this number on your bill or carrier website.
Online chat: Visit your carrier’s website and navigate to their support page. Many carriers offer live chat support to quickly resolve your issue.
In-store: If you have access to a nearby carrier store, you can visit in person and speak to a representative who can help you disable voicemail.

When contacting your carrier, be sure to have the following information ready:

Your account number or phone number
The type of voicemail service you’re trying to disable (e.g., visual voicemail, traditional voicemail)
A brief description of the issue you’re encountering

The carrier representative can guide you through the necessary steps to turn off voicemail based on your specific situation. They may also provide additional information or troubleshooting tips to ensure a successful resolution.

Troubleshooting Common Voicemail Issues

Checking Your Network

Network issues can often prevent you from accessing or using voicemail. Ensure you have a stable internet or cellular connection before troubleshooting further.

Restarting Your Device

A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches that may be affecting your voicemail. Turn off your device, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

Turning Off Call Forwarding

Call forwarding can direct incoming calls to voicemail when your phone is turned off or busy. If you have call forwarding enabled, it may prevent you from accessing your voicemail directly. Disable call forwarding to test if this is the issue.

Checking Your Voicemail Number

Incorrectly dialling your voicemail number can result in an error message. Confirm that you are dialling the correct number by checking your carrier’s website or settings menu.

Updating Your Carrier Settings

Outdated carrier settings may cause compatibility issues with voicemail services. Check your device’s settings to ensure that your carrier settings are up to date.

Checking for Malware

Malware can interfere with various device functions, including voicemail. Run an antivirus scan to check for and remove any potential malware infections.

Factory Resetting Your Device

If all else fails, a factory reset may resolve any software or system issues that may be causing voicemail problems. Before performing a factory reset, back up your important data.

Contacting Your Carrier

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps above and still cannot access or use voicemail, contact your carrier. They may be able to assist with more specific troubleshooting or technical support.

Re-Enabling Voicemail When Needed

To re-enable voicemail after disabling it, follow these steps:

Dial *86 (*V) from your phone.
Enter your voicemail password when prompted.
Follow the prompts to re-enable voicemail.

In case you have forgotten your voicemail password, you can reset it by following these steps:

Dial *87 (*W) from your phone.
Follow the prompts to create a new voicemail password.

Alternatively, you can contact your carrier’s customer support to reset your voicemail password.

Carrier	Customer Support Number
AT&T	611
Verizon	611
T-Mobile	611
Sprint	611

Avoiding Unwanted Voicemails

Voicemails can be a nuisance, especially when you’re trying to avoid unwanted calls. Here are a few tips to help you minimize the number of voicemails you receive:

10. Manage Call Blocking and Filtering:

Utilize call blocking and filtering features provided by your phone or carrier. These tools allow you to block specific numbers or call types, such as spam or robocalls, from reaching your voicemail. Configure these settings to effectively reduce unwanted calls and minimize voicemails.

How To Shut Off Voicemail

Method 1: Call Your Voicemail

Dial your own phone number.
When your voicemail picks up, press "0" or the "#" key.
Follow the prompts to disable voicemail.

Method 2: Contact Your Carrier

Call your carrier’s customer service line.
Explain that you want to turn off voicemail.
The customer service representative will assist you in deactivating voicemail.

Method 3: Use Your Phone’s Settings

Go to "Settings" or "Phone" in your phone’s menu.
Look for the "Voicemail" or "Call Forwarding" option.
Disable the voicemail feature.


Call Blocking	Prevent specific phone numbers from contacting you.
Caller ID Filtering	Screen incoming calls based on caller ID information.
Spam Detection	Identify and block known spam and robocalls using AI-powered algorithms.