You can disable voicemail through your phone's settings or by contacting your carrier
Voicemail is usually turned on by default when you get a new phone, but you can turn it off if you don't want callers to leave messages. The steps depend on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, and whether you want to disable it completely or just stop hearing the notification sound.
The fastest way is often through your phone's built-in settings. If that doesn't work, or if you want voicemail completely removed from your account, you can call your carrier — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or whoever provides your service — and ask them to disable it on their end.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can disable voicemail notifications in Settings > Phone > Voicemail, but this only silences alerts, not the voicemail service itself.
- Android phones vary by manufacturer, but most let you turn off voicemail through the Phone app settings or by dialing a carrier code.
- Calling your carrier directly is the most reliable way to fully disable voicemail so that callers hear a message saying you don't accept voicemail.
- Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for voicemail, so disabling it may lower your bill.
- You can always turn voicemail back on later if you change your mind.
How to disable voicemail on iPhone
On iPhone, the built-in settings let you turn off voicemail notifications, but this does not remove voicemail from your account entirely. Callers can still leave messages; you just won't get alerts when they do.
Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Voicemail. Toggle off the switch next to "Voicemail Notifications." This stops your phone from buzzing, ringing, or showing a badge when someone leaves a message. You can still check your voicemail manually by opening the Phone app and tapping the Voicemail tab at the bottom right.
If you want to completely disable voicemail so callers cannot leave messages at all, you need to contact your carrier. Call the customer service number on the back of your bill or visit their website to find the voicemail disable option.
How to disable voicemail on Android
Android phones do not have a single universal setting because different manufacturers build their phones differently. The steps depend on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or another brand.
Start by opening the Phone app and looking for a menu icon (three dots or lines). Tap Settings or Voicemail Settings. Look for an option to turn off voicemail notifications or disable voicemail. If you see a Voicemail tab at the bottom of the Phone app, tap it and look for settings there.
If you cannot find a voicemail setting in your phone, or if you want to fully disable voicemail on your account, contact your carrier. They can turn it off remotely so that callers hear a message saying you do not accept voicemail.
Disabling voicemail through your carrier
Your carrier — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, US Cellular, or another provider — controls whether voicemail is active on your account. Disabling it through your phone's settings only stops notifications; the service stays on. To fully remove voicemail, you need to contact your carrier directly.
Call the customer service number on your bill or visit the carrier's website. Tell them you want to disable voicemail. Some carriers let you do this through their website or app; others require a phone call. The process usually takes a few minutes, and you should see the change within an hour or two.
Ask whether voicemail is included in your plan or if you are charged a separate fee. Some carriers charge $1 to $3 per month for voicemail. Disabling it may lower your bill, though the savings are usually small.
What happens when you disable voicemail
When voicemail is fully disabled on your account, callers who reach you when you do not answer will hear a message saying you do not accept voicemail. They cannot leave a message. Some callers may hang up; others may try texting you instead.
If you disable voicemail notifications but leave the service active, callers can still leave messages. Your phone simply will not alert you when they do. You can check for messages manually by opening the Phone app and tapping Voicemail, but you will not get a notification badge or sound.
Disabling voicemail does not affect text messages, email, or other ways people can reach you. It only stops the voicemail service.
Turning voicemail back on if you change your mind
If you disable voicemail and later decide you want it back, you can turn it on again through the same method you used to turn it off. On iPhone, go back to Settings > Phone > Voicemail and toggle notifications back on. On Android, return to your Phone app settings and re-enable voicemail.
If you disabled voicemail through your carrier, call them again and ask them to turn it back on. This usually takes just a few minutes. There is no penalty for turning it off and on again, and you will not lose any old messages if you re-enable it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling voicemail stop people from calling me?
No. Disabling voicemail only prevents callers from leaving messages. They can still call you, and if you answer, you can talk to them normally. If you do not answer, they will hear a message saying you do not accept voicemail instead of being able to leave a message.
Can I disable voicemail notifications without disabling voicemail itself?
Yes. On iPhone, turn off Voicemail Notifications in Settings > Phone > Voicemail. On Android, look for notification settings in your Phone app. This stops alerts but leaves voicemail active, so callers can still leave messages — you just will not know about them until you check manually.
Does disabling voicemail cost anything?
No, but it might save you money. Some carriers charge a monthly fee for voicemail. Disabling it removes that charge, though the savings are usually $1 to $3 per month. Contact your carrier to ask if you are being charged for voicemail.
What if my carrier will not let me disable voicemail?
Some carriers include voicemail as part of your plan and do not allow you to remove it completely. In that case, you can still disable notifications on your phone so you do not get alerts. Ask your carrier whether voicemail is mandatory on your plan.
If I disable voicemail, can callers text me instead?
Disabling voicemail does not automatically send callers to text. However, many people will try texting if they cannot leave a voicemail, so disabling voicemail may lead to more text messages. You can set up an auto-reply text or voicemail greeting before disabling it to let people know how to reach you.