The fastest way depends on your phone type and carrier
Cancelling voicemail means different things depending on what you want to do. If you want to stop receiving voicemail messages, you can disable the feature through your carrier or phone settings — this usually takes one phone call or a few taps in an app. If you want to delete existing messages, you can do that directly from your voicemail inbox. If you want to remove your voicemail greeting, that's a separate step. The method changes based on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a traditional carrier voicemail system.
Most carriers let you disable voicemail by calling customer service or logging into your account online. Some phones also let you turn it off in settings without contacting your carrier at all. Deleting old messages is almost always something you can do yourself from the voicemail app or by calling your voicemail number.
Key Takeaways
- Disabling voicemail on iPhone requires calling your carrier's customer service line, as Apple does not provide a built-in off switch in Settings.
- Android users can often disable voicemail through the Phone app settings or by calling their carrier, depending on the phone model and carrier.
- Deleting individual voicemail messages can be done directly from your voicemail inbox without contacting your carrier.
- Removing your voicemail greeting takes a few minutes and can be done by calling your voicemail number and following the menu prompts.
- Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for voicemail; disabling it may remove that charge from your bill.
Disable voicemail on iPhone
Apple does not include a voicemail on/off toggle in the iPhone Settings app. To disable voicemail on an iPhone, you must contact your carrier directly. Call the customer service number on the back of your SIM card, on your carrier's website, or on your bill. Tell them you want to disable voicemail service on your account.
Some carriers offer a workaround: you can set up a voicemail greeting that immediately hangs up, which discourages callers from leaving messages. To do this, open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, then tap Greeting. Choose Custom, record a message that says "I'm not accepting voicemail" or similar, and save it. This does not actually disable the service, but it stops most people from leaving messages.
If you want to delete existing voicemail messages on iPhone, open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, then swipe left on any message and tap Delete. You can also tap Edit in the upper left to select multiple messages at once.
Disable voicemail on Android
Android phones vary by manufacturer and carrier, so the steps are not identical across all devices. On most Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu or Settings icon, then look for Voicemail or Call Settings. Some phones let you toggle voicemail off directly from this menu. If you do not see a voicemail setting, your carrier may not allow you to disable it through the phone itself.
If your Android phone does not have a voicemail toggle, call your carrier's customer service line to disable it on your account. You can find the number on your bill or on your carrier's website.
To delete voicemail messages on Android, open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, then press and hold a message to select it. Tap the trash or delete icon. Some Android phones let you swipe left on a message to delete it instead.
Disable voicemail through your carrier
Every major carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others — allows you to disable voicemail by calling customer service. Have your phone number and account information ready. The process usually takes less than five minutes. Some carriers also let you disable voicemail through their website or mobile app by logging into your account and finding the voicemail settings.
Verizon customers can log into My Verizon, go to Account, then Manage Services, and look for Voicemail. AT&T customers can use the AT&T mobile app or website to access Voicemail Settings. T-Mobile customers can call 611 from their T-Mobile phone or use the T-Mobile app. Regional carriers have their own portals, so check your carrier's website for the exact steps.
Ask your carrier whether disabling voicemail will remove a monthly charge from your bill. Some carriers include voicemail free with your plan, while others charge $1 to $3 per month for it. If you are paying separately, disabling it should lower your bill.
Delete your voicemail greeting
If you want to keep voicemail but remove your custom greeting, call your voicemail number from your phone. This is usually your own phone number, but some carriers use a different number — check your carrier's website if you are not sure. When the voicemail system answers, press the key for Voicemail Options or Settings (often 0 or *). Then select the option to delete or reset your greeting.
If you delete your greeting, the system will use a default greeting instead. You can record a new greeting anytime by following the same steps and choosing Record Greeting instead of Delete.
What happens when you disable voicemail
When voicemail is disabled, callers who reach your phone when you do not answer will hear a message saying you are not accepting voicemail. The exact message depends on your carrier. Some carriers play a generic message; others let you record a custom message before disabling the service.
Disabling voicemail does not prevent calls from coming in or stop people from calling you. It only stops the voicemail system from recording messages. Callers can still reach you if you answer, and they can still call back later. Some people disable voicemail because they prefer text messages or email, or because they do not check voicemail regularly.
If you change your mind later, you can re-enable voicemail by calling your carrier or using the same phone or app settings where you disabled it. There is no penalty for turning it back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable voicemail without calling my carrier?
On Android, some phones let you disable voicemail through the Phone app settings. On iPhone, you must call your carrier — there is no in-phone option. If your Android phone does not have a voicemail toggle in settings, you will need to call your carrier as well.
Will disabling voicemail save me money?
Only if your carrier charges a separate monthly fee for voicemail. Many carriers include it free with your plan, so disabling it will not change your bill. Call your carrier or check your bill to see if you are paying for voicemail separately.
What if I delete a voicemail message by accident?
Once a voicemail message is deleted, most carriers do not store a backup copy. You cannot recover it. If the message was important, ask the person who left it to call you back or send you the information another way.
Can I disable voicemail for only certain callers?
No. Disabling voicemail turns it off for everyone. If you want to avoid voicemail from specific people, you can block their numbers instead, which prevents them from calling you at all. This is a different feature than disabling voicemail.
Do I need to do anything before disabling voicemail?
Listen to any important messages and save the information before you disable voicemail, since you will not be able to retrieve them afterward. If someone needs to reach you urgently, make sure they have your email address or another way to contact you.