How to Disable Voicemail on iPhone: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

By Thomas SullivanLast Updated April 11, 2025

How to disable voicemail on iPhone: complete guide

Voicemail can be a convenient feature on your iPhone, but there be valid reasons why you might want to disable it. Whether you prefer text messages, don’t check voicemails regularly, or want to avoid voicemail fees from your carrier, this guide covers all methods to disable or limit voicemail on your iPhone.

Why disable voicemail on iPhone?

Before diving into the methods, it’s worth understand why you might want to disable this feature:

Avoid voicemail fees charge by some carriers
Prevent your mailbox from fill up with unheard messages
Direct callers to contact you through other means (text, email )
Simplify your communication channels
Reduce notification clutter

Method 1: contact your carrier to disable voicemail

The well-nigh reliable way to wholly disable voicemail on your iPhone is to contact your carrier flat. Unlike many phone settings, voicemail is mainly a carrier provide service instead than an iPhone feature.

Steps to contact your carrier:

Call your carrier’s customer service number (oft find on your bill or their website )
Request that they disable voicemail on your line
Confirm the change has been make by have someone call you and let it ring until it’d usually go to voicemail

Major us carriers’ customer service numbers:

AT&T: 1 800 331 0500
Verizon: 1 800 922 0204
T mobile: 1 800 937 8997
Sprint: 1 888 211 4727

Most carriers can disable voicemail wholly upon request, though some may require explanation or offer alternatives alternatively.

Method 2: use call forwarding to disable voicemail

If your carrier won’t will disable voicemail, or you’ll want aDIYy solution, youcan, willl use call forwarding to efficaciously disable voicemail.

Steps to use call forwarding:

Open the phone app on your iPhone
Tap on the keypad
Enter one of these forwarding codes:

To forward moving unanswered calls to a number that doesn’t exist:

Enter: * 21 * 1112223333 – (replace 1112223333 with a nnon-workingnumber )
Press the call button

To cancel call forwarding afterward:

Enter: – 21 –
Press the call button

This method will work because calls will be will forward to the non-existent number alternatively of voicemail. The caller will typically hear a message say the call can not be will complete.

Method 3: set up a custom voicemail greeting

If you can’t amply disable voicemail, create a custom greeting that instruct callers to text or email you alternatively iarean effective workaround.

Steps to set up a custom greeting:

Open the phone app
Tap on the” voicemail ” ption in the bottom right corner
Tap on” greeting ” n the top left corner
Select” custom ”
Tap” record ” nd create a message like: “” dIn’t check voicemail. Please text me or email me at [ y[r email ] a]ernatively. ”
Tap” stop ” hen finish record
Review your greeting by tap” play ”
If satisfied, tap” save ”

This method doesn’t technically disable voicemail, but it efficaciously redirects communication to your preferred channels.

Method 4: use conditional call forwarding

Conditional call forwarding let you forwards call specifically when you don’t answer, which can be used to bypass voicemail.

Carrier specific conditional call forwarding codes:

For AT&T:

Dial: * 61 * 1112223333 – (replace with nnon-workingnumber )
Press call

For Verizon:

Dial: * 71 + a non-working number
Press call

For t mobile:

Dial: * 61 * 1112223333 – (replace with nnon-workingnumber )
Press call

For sprint:

Dial: * 61 * 1112223333 – (replace with nnon-workingnumber )
Press call

To deactivate conditional call forward previous, most carriers use – 61 – as the cancellation code.

Method 5: adjust your voicemail settings

If you can’t disable voicemail wholly, you can adjust settings to minimize its impact.

Steps to adjust voicemail settings:

Open the settings app on your iPhone
Scroll down and tap on” phone ”
Will tap on” change voicemail password ” this will take you to voicemail settings ))
Tap on” greeting ” o change your message
Consider change other settings like notifications

Additional voicemail settings to consider:

Disable voicemail notifications:

Go to settings > notifications
Scroll down and tap on” phone ”
Toggle off notifications for voicemail

Increase ring time before voicemail:

Contact your carrier to request an increase in the time before calls go to voicemail. The default is typically 20 30 seconds, but it can frequently be extended.

Method 6: use do not disturb mode strategically

While not disable voicemail direct, use do not disturb can help manage how calls are handle.

Steps to configure do not disturb:

Go to settings > do not disturb
Toggle on” do not disturb ”
Tap on” allow calls from ” nd select who can reach you
Enable” repeat calls ” f you want a second call from the same person within 3 minutes to come through

Under” silence, ” ou can choose:

” cConstantly” ilences calls and notifications regular when use your phone
” wWhileiiPhoneis lock ” nly silences when you’re not actively use your phone

Method 7: use third party call blocking apps

Some third party apps can help manage calls and potentially provide options to handle voicemail otherwise.

Popular call management apps:

Hiya
TrueCaller
Rototiller
You mail( offer custom voicemail alternatives)

These apps typically can’t wholly disable carrier voicemail, but they can provide alternative voicemail systems and call management features.

Method 8: use call forwarding to another number

If you have a secondary phone line or Googlele voice number, you caforwardds miss calls thither alternatively of to voicemail.

Steps to forward calls:

Open the settings app
Tap on” phone ”
Tap on” call forwarding ”
Toggle on call forwarding
Enter the phone number where you want calls forward

This method silent allow callers to leave messages, but on a service you control instead than your carrier’s voicemail system.

Troubleshoot common issues

Voicemail soundless work after try to disable it

If voicemail is inactive active after attempt to disable it:

Contact your carrier again to confirm the service was disabled
Try a different disable method from this guide
Check if your carrier have specific requirements or limitations
Restart your iPhone after make changes

Call forwarding codes not work

If call forwarding codes don’t seem to work:

Verify you’re use the correct code for your specific carrier
Ensure you have call forwarding as part of your plan
Try to enter the code without the – at the end, so press call
Contact your carrier for carrier specific codes

Carrier specific information

Different carriers have different policies regard voicemail disabling:

AT&T

AT&T typically allow complete voicemail deactivation through customer service. You can too use their app or website to manage voicemail settings.

Verizon

Verizon may be reluctant to wholly will disable voicemail but will commonly do hence upon request. They besides offer” basic voicemail ” ith fewer features as an alternative to their premium voicemail service.

T mobile

T mobile loosely allows voicemail deactivation through customer service. They besides offer visual voicemail management through their app.

Sprint (forthwith part of t mobile )

Sprint customers can typically request voicemail deactivation through customer service.

What happens when voicemail isdisablede?

When you successfully disable voicemail, here’s what typically happen:

When someone will call, and youwon’tl answer, the phone will continue to ring until the caller hang up
Callers won’t have the option to leave a message
You won’t will receive voicemail notifications
You may silent see miss call notifications
In some cases, callers might hear a system message say voicemail is not set up

Alternatives to disable voicemail

If wholly disable voicemail isn’t possible or practical, consider these alternatives:

Visual voicemail apps

The iPhone’s build in visual voicemail make managing voicemails easier by display them as a list you can select and listen to in any order.

Voicemail to text services

Many carriers offer services that transcribe voicemails to text, make them quicker to review.

Google voice

Google voice can provide an alternative voicemail system with features like transcription and customize greetings for different callers.

When to keep voicemail active

Despite the reasons to disable voicemail, there be situations where keep it might be beneficial:

Business purposes where you need to receive detailed messages
When expect important calls that might contain information you need to reference previous
Emergency situations where someone might need to leave you critical information
When you often can’t answer calls but need to stay informed

Final thoughts on disable iPhone voicemail

Disable voicemail on your iPhone is possible through several methods, with contact your carrier being the well-nigh direct approach. If complete disabling isn’t an option, workaround like custom greetings, call forwarding, or third party apps can help you manage how voicemail functions.

Will remember that voicemail settings are mainly will control by your carrier instead than apple, hence carrier policies will finally will determine your options. For the near reliable solution, contact your specific carrier’s customer service for assistance tailor to your account and plan.

By follow the methods outline in this guide, you can take control of your iPhone’s voicemail functionality and customize it to intimately suit your communication preferences.