How to cancel voicemail depends on your phone type and carrier

Cancelling voicemail is usually a phone setting you can change yourself, not a subscription you contact customer service about. On most phones, you disable voicemail through your carrier's app or by calling a code from your phone. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for voicemail (typically $1 to $3), and turning it off stops that charge. Others include voicemail free with your plan, so disabling it saves nothing but stops the service from working.

The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a flip phone, and which carrier you're on. The process takes two to five minutes once you know which method your phone supports.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can disable voicemail by turning off the voicemail setting in the Phone app, though the option is not always visible.
  • Android users can usually disable voicemail through their carrier's app or by calling a code like *004# or *#004# from their phone.
  • Some carriers charge $1 to $3 monthly for voicemail; others include it free, so check your bill to see if you're paying.
  • If you cannot find the setting on your phone, calling your carrier's customer service line is the fastest way to confirm whether your phone model supports voicemail cancellation.

How to disable voicemail on iPhone

On iPhone, open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right. If you see a Greeting or Settings option, tap it. Look for a toggle or button that says "Disable Voicemail" or "Turn Off Voicemail." Tap it, and voicemail stops working immediately.

Not all iPhones show this option. If you don't see a Voicemail tab or a disable option, your carrier may not allow you to turn it off through the phone settings. In that case, you'll need to call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or the back of your SIM card) and ask them to disable voicemail on your account.

If you see a Voicemail tab but it says "Not Set Up," voicemail is already off and you don't need to do anything else.

How to disable voicemail on Android

Android phones vary widely, so the method depends on your carrier and phone model. The most common approach is to call a code from your phone. Try calling *004# or *#004# from your phone's dialer. Your phone will show a message confirming whether voicemail forwarding is on or off. If it's on, the phone will give you an option to turn it off.

If that code doesn't work, open your carrier's app (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) and look for a Voicemail or Settings section. Some carriers let you disable voicemail directly from the app. If you can't find it there, call your carrier's customer service number and tell them you want to disable voicemail.

Some Android phones also have a Voicemail app in your app drawer. Open it and look for a Settings or Preferences option that lets you turn voicemail off.

What happens when you disable voicemail

When voicemail is off, callers who reach you while you're on another call or don't answer will hear a message saying you're not available, and the call will end. They won't be able to leave a message. Some carriers route these calls to a generic "mailbox full" message instead.

If your carrier charges for voicemail, disabling it removes that charge from your next bill. If voicemail is free with your plan, turning it off doesn't save money but stops the service from running in the background.

You can turn voicemail back on anytime by reversing the same steps. There's no penalty for turning it off and back on later.

Checking if your carrier charges for voicemail

Look at your most recent phone bill. Search for a line item that says "Voicemail," "Voice Mail," "VM," or "Messaging." If you see a charge next to it (usually $1 to $3), your carrier is billing you for voicemail. If there's no separate line item, voicemail is included free with your plan.

If you're not sure, call your carrier's customer service number and ask whether voicemail is a paid add-on or included with your plan. They can tell you in one call and confirm whether disabling it will lower your bill.

What to do if you can't find the voicemail setting

Not all phones allow you to disable voicemail through the phone itself. Some carriers, especially prepaid carriers, don't give customers the option to turn it off. If you've looked through your phone's settings and can't find a voicemail toggle, call your carrier's customer service number.

Tell them you want to disable voicemail on your account. They can do it from their end, and it usually takes effect within a few minutes. Have your phone number and account PIN (if you have one) ready when you call.

If your carrier tells you they don't allow voicemail to be disabled, you're stuck with the service. Some carriers do this to ensure callers have a way to reach you. In that case, the only way to stop paying for it is to switch to a carrier that lets you disable it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling voicemail affect my phone bill?

Only if your carrier charges for voicemail as a separate add-on. Check your bill for a voicemail line item. If you see a charge, disabling voicemail will remove it from your next bill. If there's no charge, turning it off won't change your bill.

Can I turn voicemail back on later?

Yes. You can turn voicemail on and off as many times as you want using the same steps. There's no waiting period or reactivation fee. If your carrier charges for voicemail, you'll be billed again the month you turn it back on.

What if my carrier won't let me disable voicemail?

Some carriers don't allow customers to turn off voicemail. If your carrier is one of them, you have two options: keep paying for it, or switch to a different carrier that lets you disable it. Ask your current carrier's customer service whether they allow voicemail to be disabled before you switch.

Do I need to contact customer service to disable voicemail?

Not usually. Most phones let you disable voicemail through the Phone app (iPhone) or a code (Android). You only need to call customer service if you can't find the setting on your phone or if your carrier doesn't allow you to disable it yourself.

Will people know I have voicemail disabled?

They'll know when they try to leave a message and can't. Instead of hearing a voicemail greeting, they'll hear a message saying the mailbox is unavailable or the call will simply end. They won't see a notification that voicemail is "disabled" — they'll just realize they can't leave a message.