Voicemail
Voicemail, or message recording, is a feature that stores incoming calls when you are unable to answer. Below we’ll explain how the service works for both mobile and home phones, how to listen to your stored messages, and what to do if you need to deactivate the service.
How do you access mobile voicemail?
If you buy a mobile from a provider that offers voicemail (which most do), the service should be activated when you receive your new phone. If you have purchased a new mobile elsewhere, you may need to activate voicemail yourself. We recommend contacting your provider for further help. You can also check your phone’s manual or documentation, or visit the manufacturer’s website to find out how to activate voicemail on your particular model.
After recording your own voicemail greeting and setting a PIN code for security, you access your stored messages by calling a dedicated number (or just a single digit for speed dial), which is unique to each provider. You will be presented with an automated menu with a number of options; simply choose what you wish to do and follow the instructions.
Info! Calls to manage or listen to your voicemail should be included in your monthly call allowance. Standard call charges apply for calls made outside your allowance. We recommend that you review your provider’s pricing terms for voicemail, as these may vary slightly between different providers as well as between different types of services. However, you will never be charged for receiving a message if you do not listen to it.
Provide secure access to your voicemail with a PIN code
Most providers recommend that you protect your voicemail with a PIN code. With the help of your PIN code, you’ll be able to listen to messages from any phone, and a PIN code is usually required to access voicemail when you’re abroad. Voicemail usually comes with a pre-set PIN code, but this is not secure and you should change this to your own code as soon as possible.
How to change your PIN for mobile voicemail
- Call your provider’s number to manage voicemail.
- Select the option to change your PIN and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Enter your new code and finish with # if required.
- Enter your new code again.
The number of digits in a PIN code can vary slightly between different providers, but most require at least four. Some providers do not allow you to use combinations that are too easy to guess, such as 1111 or 1234, while others simply advise against using such combinations.
Other recommendations include not using the same numbers as your mobile number or your date of birth. Remember to keep the code private (change it immediately if it is no longer secure), and to update it regularly.
Can you listen to messages on another phone?
Yes, you should be able to access your voicemail from another phone, but the exact method may vary slightly between providers. In most cases, however, the process is to first enter a number or digit, then your own mobile number, and then enter the PIN code.
Can you forward calls to mobile voicemail?
You should be able to divert calls to your voicemail, but the exact steps depend on the type of mobile you have and which operating system it uses. Always check your mobile’s manual for guidance. If you encounter any issues or just feel unsure, you can contact your provider for further help.
Is call-back included in mobile voicemail?
Voicemail may include call-back functionality, but this depends on which provider you use. To be on the safe side, check what applies with your particular provider. With call-back, you can return a call to the person who contacted you directly, without needing to leave a voicemail or dial the number. If you use call-back, standard rates for outgoing calls apply.
When should you turn off mobile voicemail?
If you’re travelling, it can be useful to temporarily switch off voicemail. Within the EU, using voicemail should be free of charge, but outside the EU, charges apply at the standard rates for calls to the UK. Read more about additional costs for using voicemail outside the UK on the provider’s page about international rates.
However, you will never be charged simply for receiving calls or voicemails while you are abroad, only if you listen to them.
How do you turn off mobile voicemail?
How you turn off voicemail depends on which provider you use. With some providers, you can deactivate voicemail through your account by logging in on the website or via the provider’s app, while with others you call or send a text to a specific number.
If you encounter any issues, we recommend contacting your provider, who can assist you further in turning off voicemail on your phone.
How do you use mobile voicemail abroad?
To access your voicemail while abroad, you will usually need a PIN code for your voicemail. If you don’t already have a code before you travel, make sure to set one up before you go. The process may vary slightly between providers, but in most cases you enter a specific number (different providers have different numbers, so check which number applies to your provider), enter the PIN code and finish with #. In some countries, you may also be asked to provide your phone number and PIN code. Then select the option to listen to your voicemail.
How does visual voicemail work?
With visual voicemail, you get direct access to a voicemail service with a visual interface that displays a list of received voice messages along with relevant information for each message (such as number, sender and duration). This is therefore different from ‘regular’ voicemail, which you need to call in to access. Visual voicemail works via mobile data. As long as you use the service within the UK, it is completely free of charge, but you should be prepared for roaming charges if you use it abroad.
Depending on the provider, visual voicemail is more often found on iPhones, and is much less common for Android. The service may not always be included with both contracts and pay as you go SIMs, as this varies between providers.
To use visual voicemail on an iPhone, you need a model 5s or later with iOS 12 or above. There are several different Android brands and models that support the service, but the ability to access this feature depends on the provider. Sky Mobile is one of the very few UK providers to offer visual voicemail for Android, and you’ll need a Samsung Galaxy S9 or later.
How to activate visual voicemail on iPhone
- Ensure your mobile has the latest version of the operating system.
- Enable mobile data if you haven’t already (you should not be connected to WiFi).
- Install the service by sending a text to a specific number (the provider’s website contains information about the format of the message and which number to send it to).
- Open the phone app from the home screen and select Voicemail.
- Select Configure, create a password and click Done.
- Select Custom (to record your own greeting) or Standard and click Save.
As there are so few providers offering visual voicemail for Android, information on how to activate the service is also lacking. But if we take Sky Mobile as an example once again, it seems you only need to open the settings on your Samsung Galaxy (S9, S9+ or later), select Voicemail, and enable visual voicemail.
However, to be on the safe side, we recommend that anyone with an Android mobile contacts their provider to check what applies and if there are any specific steps you need to be aware of.
How does voicemail work for home phone services?
Voicemail for home phone works slightly differently depending on which provider you have. With some providers, voicemail is included in your phone plan, while with others you’ll need to pay a monthly fee to access the service.
It’s worth noting that some alarm systems are not compatible with voicemail, so double-check the requirements for your alarms and with your provider to be on the safe side.
What’s included with voicemail for home phone services?
The exact features included in the service may vary slightly between different providers, but in most cases you can set a personalised greeting, store up to 20 voicemails, and access your messages even when you’re away from home. In some cases, the Call Protect feature is also included, which sends unwanted and nuisance calls straight to your spam mailbox.
Can you access your voicemail when you’re away from home?
Yes, you can usually listen to your voicemail messages even when you’re not at home. But to access your voicemail while on the go, you need to link your home phone to your mobile, which in most cases requires you to first set up a personal PIN code.
The exact way to set your PIN code may vary between different providers. Usually, you dial a specific number on your home phone and select the Settings and features option (or similar) in the main menu, where you can choose to set or reset the PIN code.
