Ever get annoyed by that little red dot on your Phone app? You know, the voicemail notification that piles up because you never check it? I used to ignore mine for weeks until my carrier charged me extra for "full mailbox storage" – total nonsense. If you're wondering how to switch off voicemail on iPhone altogether, you're not alone. After helping dozens of friends with this, I've learned it's trickier than it should be.
Why People Want to Disable iPhone Voicemail
Voicemail feels outdated these days. Most iPhone users I know prefer texts or callback requests. Here's why folks disable it:
- Privacy headaches: Do you really want ex-colleagues rambling into your mailbox?
- Carrier fees (especially international roaming)
- Notifications fatigue – that constant badge icon is irritating
- Spam calls leaving automated messages
| Reason | Real-Life Impact |
|---|---|
| Cost Reduction | Saved $7/month on my AT&T plan after disabling |
| Privacy Control | No more clients leaving sensitive info in voicemails |
| Notification Overload | That red badge disappeared from my Phone app |
Funny story: My aunt kept getting Chinese robocall voicemails daily. Disabling voicemail was her nuclear option – worked instantly.
Standard Method to Turn Off Voicemail
Apple doesn't make this obvious. If you try searching Settings, you'll hit dead ends. Here's the usual route:
Via Phone App Settings
This only works for some carriers and iOS versions (honestly, it failed on my iPhone 13 last month):
- Open the Phone app
- Tap Voicemail tab
- Select Greeting
- Choose Custom instead of Default
- Record a blank greeting (just 3 seconds of silence)
Why this sometimes works? Because when callers hear dead air, they assume your voicemail is broken and hang up. Not elegant, but practical.
Warning: On newer iOS versions, Apple removed the "No Greeting" option. Sneaky, right?
Carrier-Specific Voicemail Disabling
This is where things get messy. Your carrier controls voicemail at the network level. Here's what actually works:
| Carrier | How to Disable Voicemail | What Worked For Me |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Dial *61*[10-digit number]# then call (Replace with your number) | Had to call 611 and argue with support for 20 minutes |
| Verizon | Dial *73 then call | Instant success, no follow-up needed |
| T-Mobile | Use app chat: Request "conditional call forwarding removal" | Surprisingly easy via Twitter support DM |
| International SIMs | Varies wildly - check carrier docs | My UK Three SIM required postal request (!) |
Pro tip: Always screenshot your carrier chat transcripts. I learned this when Verizon "forgot" my request twice.
What Happens After Disabling?
- Callers hear: "The person you are calling is unavailable" (no option to leave message)
- Your Phone app loses the Voicemail tab completely
- Existing voicemails remain until deleted manually
I actually prefer this – forces people to text me important things.
Nuclear Option: Carrier Feature Removal
When all else fails (like with my Vodafone Spain SIM):
- Call your carrier's support
- Demand: "Disable voicemail at network level"
- Use phrase: "Remove voicemail provisioning"
- Reboot iPhone after confirmation
Fair warning: Some reps will insist it's impossible. Ask for supervisors. Took three escalations for my French Orange SIM.
FAQs: Your Voicemail Questions Answered
Will callers know I turned off voicemail?
They'll just hear a generic message. No shame in that – I did it years ago and nobody noticed.
Can I temporarily disable voicemail?
Absolutely. Just re-enable via carrier when needed. Useful during vacations to avoid spam buildup.
Why did Apple hide voicemail settings?
Carrier deals. They profit from voicemail extras. That's why how to switch off voicemail on iPhone isn't straightforward.
Will disabling voicemail affect iMessage?
Zero impact. Tested across four iPhones – iMessage and FaceTime work normally.
What error indicates success?
When callers get immediate hang-up after rings. No more "please leave a message" prompt.
Troubleshooting the Voicemail Switch-Off
Common pitfalls I've encountered:
- "Feature not supported" error: Means your carrier blocked the code. Demand network-level removal.
- Voicemail tab still visible: Wait 24 hours. Still there? Force-reboot your iPhone.
- Partial deactivation: Some carriers disable only visual voicemail. Verify by calling your own number.
Last month, my friend's T-Mobile line showed "call voicemail" for days after disabling. A simple network reset (*#*#4636#*#*) fixed it.
Alternatives If You Can't Disable
When carriers refuse (looking at you, Canadian providers):
| Workaround | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Set custom greeting: "Mailbox full" | High - deters most callers |
| Forward calls to Google Voice | Medium - adds complexity |
| Use Do Not Disturb permanently | Low - too restrictive |
Honestly? The fake "mailbox full" trick works wonders. Record it in angry tone for best results.
Life After Switching Off Voicemail
Three months since I killed voicemail:
- Zero spam messages saved
- Saved $84 annually (my carrier charged $3/week!)
- Fewer interruptions - people text instead
- Bonus: No more "urgent" voicemails from my boss at midnight
Sure, I missed a dentist appointment once. But they emailed a reminder later. Most businesses adapt.
Learning how to switch off voicemail on iPhone requires persistence. But once you nail it, that beautiful empty Phone app is worth the hassle. Still stuck? Tweet your carrier publicly – they hate bad PR. Works faster than support calls.
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