How to Disable Voicemail on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Voicemail can be handy, but sometimes you want to stop calls from going to voicemail entirely. Maybe you prefer texts or just don’t want to deal with voicemail messages. Whatever the reason, disabling voicemail on your iPhone is straightforward if you follow the right steps. Here’s how to disable voicemail on iPhone in a few clear ways:

use a keypad code, adjust settings, or contact your carrier. This guide covers all methods in detail, including tips for iOS 18 and iPhone 16 users, so you can pick what works best for you.

Why Disable Voicemail?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to turn off voicemail. Some people find voicemails time-consuming to check or prefer other ways to stay in touch, like messaging apps. Others might want to avoid unwanted calls going to voicemail, especially spam calls.

If you’re setting up your iPhone for the first time or tweaking settings, disabling voicemail can simplify your call management. For more tips on handling calls, check out How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone in 2025.

How to Disable Voicemail on iPhone

Method 1: Use a Keypad Code to Disable Voicemail

One of the quickest ways to turn off voicemail is by entering a special code in your Phone app. This method works for most carriers and iPhone models, including the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16.

Steps to Use the Keypad Code

  1. Open the Phone App: Find the Phone app on your iPhone’s home screen. It’s the green icon with a white phone symbol.
  2. Go to the Keypad: Tap the “Keypad” tab at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Enter the Code: Type ##004# exactly as shown. Make sure you include both pound signs and the numbers.
  4. Make the Call: Press the green call button. You should see a message pop up saying something like “Setting Deactivation Succeeded” for call forwarding, which includes voicemail.
  5. Check for Confirmation: If the code works, your iPhone will no longer forward calls to voicemail.

Reactivating Voicemail (If Needed)

If you change your mind and want voicemail back, you can reactivate it by dialing **004# and pressing the call button. This reverses the deactivation, but you likely won’t need this unless you intentionally want voicemail again.

Does This Work for All Carriers?

The ##004# code is a universal code that disables call forwarding, including voicemail, for most carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. However, some carriers might use different codes or require additional steps. If this code doesn’t work, you’ll need to try the next methods or contact your carrier.

Method 2: Turn Off Voicemail Features in Settings

Your iPhone’s Settings app has options that can help disable voicemail features, especially with newer iOS versions like iOS 17 and 18. This method focuses on turning off Live Voicemail and Call Forwarding, which can both affect whether calls go to voicemail.

Turning Off Live Voicemail

Live Voicemail, introduced in iOS 17, shows real-time transcripts of voicemail messages as they’re recorded. If it’s on, you might still get voicemail notifications even if you’ve tried other methods. Here’s how to turn it off:

  1. Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your home screen.
  2. Navigate to Phone Settings:
    • On iOS 18, go to Settings > Apps > Phone.
    • On older iOS versions, scroll down to Phone directly.
  3. Find Live Voicemail: Scroll to the “Live Voicemail” option.
  4. Turn It Off: Tap the toggle next to Live Voicemail to switch it off. The toggle should turn gray, meaning it’s disabled.
  5. Verify: Check the description below the toggle to confirm it’s off. This stops real-time voicemail transcripts.

For more on customizing your iPhone settings, see The Ultimate iPhone User Guide.

Disabling Call Forwarding

Call Forwarding can redirect calls to another number or voicemail. Turning it off ensures calls don’t go to voicemail.

  1. Go to Phone Settings: In the Settings app, navigate to Phone (or Apps > Phone on iOS 18).
  2. Select Call Forwarding: Look for the “Call Forwarding” option and tap it.
  3. Turn It Off: If the toggle is green (on), tap it to turn it off. It should turn gray.
  4. Check Other Numbers: If Call Forwarding was set to another number, make sure no other numbers are listed.

Disabling Call Forwarding is a key step because some carriers automatically forward unanswered calls to voicemail. If you’re also curious about managing other iPhone features, like How to Use AirDrop on iPhone, you can explore more settings tweaks.

Table: Key Settings to Check for Disabling Voicemail

Setting Location in Settings Action
Live Voicemail Settings > (Apps) > Phone > Live Voicemail Toggle off (gray)
Call Forwarding Settings > (Apps) > Phone > Call Forwarding Toggle off (gray)

This table summarizes the settings you need to check. Make sure both are off to fully disable voicemail features.

Method 3: Contact Your Carrier to Disable Voicemail

If the keypad code and settings adjustments don’t stop voicemail, your carrier might still have it enabled on their end. This is common with carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, who control voicemail at the account level.

How to Disable Voicemail Through Your Carrier

  1. Find Your Carrier’s Website or Support Number:
    • Visit your carrier’s website (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile).
    • Log in to your account using your phone number and password.
  2. Navigate to Voicemail Settings:
    • Look for sections like “Plans,” “Preferences,” or “Manage Features.”
    • Find an option to toggle voicemail on or off. For example, AT&T users can go to their account preferences and disable voicemail for their line.
  3. Contact Customer Support:
    • If you can’t find the option online, call your carrier’s customer service. For example:
      • AT&T: 1-800-331-0500
      • Verizon: 1-800-922-0204
      • T-Mobile: 1-800-937-8997
    • Ask the representative to disable voicemail for your phone number.
  4. Confirm Deactivation: After disabling, test by calling your iPhone from another phone. If voicemail is off, the call should keep ringing or disconnect instead of going to voicemail.

Why Involve Your Carrier?

Carriers often manage voicemail as part of your plan, and some don’t allow full deactivation through iPhone settings alone. Contacting them ensures voicemail is turned off completely at the network level.

Special Considerations for iOS 18 and iPhone 16

If you’re using iOS 18 or an iPhone 16, the process is mostly the same, but there are a few differences due to the updated Settings app layout and Live Voicemail feature.

iOS 18 Navigation

In iOS 18, Apple moved some settings around. To find Phone settings:

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Phone instead of just Settings > Phone.
  • The Live Voicemail and Call Forwarding options are still there, but you might need to scroll further to find them.

iPhone 16 and Live Voicemail

The iPhone 16 emphasizes Live Voicemail as a feature, so it’s often enabled by default. Make sure to turn it off using the steps above to avoid getting voicemail transcripts. For other iPhone 16 tips, like How to Use Audio Mix for iPhone 16, check out our related guides.

Troubleshooting: What If Voicemail Still Works?

If you’ve tried all the steps and voicemail is still active, here are some things to check:

  1. Double-Check Settings: Ensure Live Voicemail and Call Forwarding are both off. A single enabled setting can cause voicemails to persist.
  2. Test the Keypad Code Again: Re-enter ##004# and confirm the deactivation message appears.
  3. Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes, a restart is needed for changes to take effect. Learn more in How to Shut Down or Force Restart Any iPhone Model.
  4. Contact Your Carrier Again: Some carriers require specific instructions or account changes to fully disable voicemail.
  5. Check for Carrier Updates: Occasionally, carriers push updates that re-enable voicemail. Log in to your carrier’s website regularly to confirm settings.

Tips to Manage Calls Without Voicemail

Once voicemail is disabled, you might want to explore other ways to handle calls:

  • Block Spam Calls: Use call-blocking features to reduce unwanted calls. See How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone in 2025.
  • Set Up Do Not Disturb: This silences calls without sending them to voicemail.
  • Use Messaging Apps: Encourage contacts to use apps like iMessage or WhatsApp instead of leaving voicemails.

For more ways to customize your iPhone, check out How to Customize Your iPhone Home Screen.

FAQ: Common Questions About Disabling Voicemail on iPhone

1. Will disabling voicemail affect my ability to make or receive calls?

No, disabling voicemail only stops calls from going to voicemail. You can still make and receive calls as usual.

2. Can I disable voicemail without contacting my carrier?

Yes, using the ##004# code or turning off Live Voicemail and Call Forwarding in Settings often works. However, if voicemail persists, you may need to contact your carrier.

3. Does turning off Live Voicemail stop all voicemails?

Turning off Live Voicemail stops real-time transcripts, but regular voicemail might still work if enabled by your carrier. Use the keypad code or contact your carrier to fully disable it.

4. How do I know if my carrier has disabled voicemail?

Call your iPhone from another phone. If voicemail is off, the call will either keep ringing or disconnect instead of going to a voicemail greeting.

5. Can I turn voicemail back on later?

Yes, you can reactivate voicemail by dialing **004# or contacting your carrier to re-enable it on your account.

Conclusion

Disabling voicemail on your iPhone is a simple process if you follow these steps: use the ##004# keypad code, turn off Live Voicemail and Call Forwarding in Settings, and, if needed, contact your carrier.

Whether you’re using iOS 18, an iPhone 16, or an older model, these methods work across the board. By taking control of your voicemail settings, you can streamline your call experience and avoid unwanted messages.

For more iPhone tips, explore The Ultimate iPhone User Guide to make the most of your device.