How to cancel voicemail depends on your phone type and carrier
Voicemail cancellation works differently on iPhone, Android, and landlines, and your carrier may charge a monthly fee you can stop paying. On most phones, you disable voicemail through your carrier's settings or customer service line rather than through the phone itself. Some carriers let you turn it off in their app or online account; others require a phone call. If you want to keep your phone number but stop receiving voicemail, you can also forward calls to a different number or let them go to a generic greeting instead of a personalized one.
The fastest route depends on your carrier and phone type. iPhone users often have the most direct control through the Phone app. Android users typically need to go through their carrier's app or call customer service. Landline users have no choice but to contact their phone company directly. In all cases, the change takes effect within hours.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can disable voicemail by deleting their greeting in the Phone app or by calling their carrier's customer service line.
- Android users typically disable voicemail through their carrier's app, settings menu, or by calling customer service.
- Most carriers charge a monthly voicemail fee that stops once you turn off the service, though some include it free with your plan.
- You can also silence voicemail by forwarding unanswered calls to another number or changing your greeting to discourage callers from leaving messages.
Disabling voicemail on iPhone
The simplest way to turn off voicemail on iPhone is through the Phone app. Open the Phone app, tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right, and look for a Greeting or Settings option. If you see a Delete button next to your voicemail greeting, tap it to remove the greeting entirely. Without an active greeting, callers cannot leave messages.
If that option does not appear or does not work, contact your carrier directly. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask them to disable voicemail on your account. They can turn it off in seconds from their end. This is the most reliable method and works regardless of your phone model or iOS version. Ask the representative to confirm the change has taken effect before you hang up.
Disabling voicemail on Android
Android voicemail settings vary by carrier and phone manufacturer. Open your Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and look for Settings or Voicemail. Some Android phones let you disable voicemail directly from this menu; others do not. If you do not see a voicemail toggle, your carrier controls it from their side only.
The fastest route is to open your carrier's app (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or your regional provider) and look for Voicemail or Phone Settings. Many carriers let you turn voicemail off in their app without calling. If the app does not have this option, call your carrier's customer service line and ask them to disable it on your account. Write down the date and time you made the request so you can verify the change on your next bill.
Disabling voicemail on a landline
Landline voicemail is controlled entirely by your phone company. Call your provider's customer service number and ask them to turn off voicemail service. They may ask whether you want to keep the phone line active but disable the voicemail feature, or whether you want to remove the service entirely. Most providers can do this in one call.
Some landline providers charge a separate monthly fee for voicemail, usually between $3 and $10. Disabling the service stops that charge. If you are unsure whether you are being charged, ask your provider to review your bill before you request the change. Request written confirmation of the cancellation so you have a record if the fee appears again.
What happens when you disable voicemail
When voicemail is turned off, callers who reach your voicemail box will hear a message saying the voicemail service is not set up or is unavailable. They cannot leave a message. Some callers will hang up; others may try calling back later or send a text instead.
Disabling voicemail does not affect incoming calls or text messages. Calls still ring through to your phone normally. You simply will not have a voicemail box to check. If you want callers to reach you but not leave messages, disabling voicemail is an effective way to do that. Test the change by calling your own number from another phone to hear what callers will hear.
Alternatives to full cancellation
If you want to keep voicemail but make it less intrusive, you can change your greeting to discourage messages. Record a greeting that says something like "I do not check voicemail regularly. Please text me instead" or "Leave a text message." This keeps the service active but sets expectations for callers.
You can also forward unanswered calls to another number — a work phone, a family member, or a Google Voice number. This way, callers reach a live person or a different voicemail box instead of yours. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. On Android, open your Phone app settings and look for Call Forwarding or Call Settings. This option keeps your voicemail active but redirects traffic away from it.
Checking your carrier's voicemail fees
Before you disable voicemail, check whether your carrier charges for it. Some plans include voicemail free; others charge $2 to $5 per month. Look at your most recent bill under "Services" or "Add-ons." If voicemail is listed with a charge, disabling it will remove that fee from your next bill.
If you are not sure, call your carrier and ask whether voicemail is included in your plan or charged separately. They can tell you the exact fee and confirm that it will stop once you disable the service. Keep a record of the date you requested the change so you can verify the fee is gone on your next bill. Some carriers take one or two billing cycles to remove the charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my voicemail messages if I disable the service?
Yes. Once you turn off voicemail, any saved messages are deleted and cannot be recovered. If you have important messages, write down the information or save them another way before you disable the service. Some carriers let you download or export voicemail messages before cancellation — ask your carrier whether this option exists on your account.
Can I turn voicemail back on later?
Yes. You can re-enable voicemail at any time by calling your carrier or using their app. If you were charged a monthly fee, it will resume once you turn it back on. There is no penalty for turning it off and on again.
What if my carrier does not let me disable voicemail?
Some carriers, particularly older landline providers, do not allow customers to disable voicemail entirely. In that case, you can change your greeting to discourage messages or forward calls to another number. Contact your carrier to ask what options are available on your specific plan.
Does disabling voicemail affect my phone number?
No. Your phone number stays the same. Disabling voicemail only removes the voicemail service; it does not change your phone number or affect your ability to make and receive calls.
How long does it take for voicemail to turn off after I request it?
Most carriers disable voicemail within a few minutes to a few hours. If you call customer service, it usually happens immediately. If you use an app, it may take a few hours to process. Test your voicemail by calling your own number to confirm it is off.