How do I turn voicemail on Android phone?
What is Voicemail?
Voicemail is an electronic system that records voice messages for later playback when the intended recipient is unavailable to answer a phone call (Voicemail Definition). It allows callers to leave a detailed message when the person they are trying to reach does not answer.
The first voicemail system was developed in the 1970s by engineer Gordon Matthews. He patented his invention in 1979 and eventually licensed it to phone companies (What Is Voicemail?).
Voicemail works by using an automated system to answer calls when a phone line is busy or not answered. The caller is greeted by a prerecorded message that prompts them to leave a message after the tone. Their voice message is recorded and stored digitally on a server. The intended recipient can then retrieve the message later by dialing into their voicemail inbox.
Why Use Voicemail?
Voicemail provides several key benefits that make it a useful feature on most mobile phones:
Screen unwanted calls – Voicemail acts as a buffer, allowing you to avoid unwanted calls or sales pitches. If you see an unknown number in your voicemail list, you can simply delete it.
Receive messages when busy/unavailable – Voicemail allows callers to leave a message when you are on another call, away from your phone, or otherwise engaged. This ensures you don’t miss important messages.
Voicemail transcription – Many voicemail services like Google Voice provide automated transcription of voicemail messages into text. This makes voicemails quicker and easier to review.
According to Mitel, other key benefits of voicemail include 24/7 accessibility so customers can always reach you, and eliminating on-hold calls which improves customer experience.
Activate Voicemail
To activate voicemail on your Android device, follow these steps:
Open the Phone app on your device. This is usually located on your home screen or app drawer.
Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, then tap Settings. This will open your Phone app settings.
Look for the Voicemail section in the settings. On some Android devices, this may be labeled as “Voicemail Setup” or “Voicemail Settings.”
Toggle the Voicemail switch on. This will activate your voicemail feature.[1]
You may be prompted to enter a voicemail PIN or password. Enter a numeric PIN and tap OK.
Your Android voicemail box is now enabled. When you miss a phone call, the caller will be directed to your voicemail where they can leave a message.
[1] https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6192734?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
Greeting Options
Android phones allow you to customize your voicemail greeting in several ways, including default, custom, and temporary greetings.
Default greeting
The default greeting is the pre-recorded greeting set by your carrier. For example, “The mobile customer you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.” However, default greetings can be impersonal.
Custom greeting
Most providers allow you to record a custom voicemail greeting. This lets you personalize your message with your name, company, and any other preferred information. For example, “You’ve reached John Smith. Please leave a message, and I’ll return your call as soon as possible.” Custom greetings are more warm and professional than default greetings.
Temporary greeting
Android phones also give you the option to record a temporary greeting. This is useful when you are away on vacation or unable to answer calls for a set period of time. For example, “This is Sarah Green. I’m currently out of the office this week. Please leave a message, and I’ll return your call when I return next Monday.”
Manage Greetings
Once voicemail is enabled, you can manage your greetings by recording new ones, setting the active greeting, and deleting old greetings.
To record a new greeting:
- Open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab.
- Tap the greeting menu and select “Change greeting.”
- Tap “Record new greeting” and follow the prompts to record your message after the tone.
- Tap “Save” when finished.
To set your active greeting:
- Open the greeting menu and tap on the greeting you want to make active.
- A check mark will appear next to the active greeting.
To delete an old greeting:
- Open the greeting menu and tap the trash icon next to any greeting you want to delete.
- Confirm the deletion.
With Android’s voicemail options, you can easily record and manage greetings to provide callers with an informative and customized voicemail experience.
Retrieve Messages
There are a few ways to retrieve and listen to your voicemail messages on an Android phone:
When you receive a new voicemail, you’ll get a notification on your phone. Tap on this notification to go directly to your voicemail and listen to the message. This is the fastest way to check any new voicemails.
You can also call your voicemail number directly to access messages. For most Android phones, the voicemail number is your own phone number. Dial your number, wait for your greeting to play, and then follow the prompts to enter your PIN and listen to messages.
Some Android phones have a visual voicemail feature that transcribes your voicemail messages into text. You can read the message transcriptions in the Phone app without having to call in and listen to each one. This makes skimming through voicemails quicker. Check if your Android phone has a visual voicemail option in the Phone app.
Sources:
https://support.google.com/phoneapp/answer/2811844?hl=en
https://www.notta.ai/en/blog/how-to-check-voicemail-on-android
Listen to Messages
Once you have accessed your voicemail inbox, you can listen to your messages. Android phones provide various controls to navigate through your voicemails.
For playback controls, you can press 1 to rewind, 2 to pause/resume, 3 to fast forward, 4 to play the previous message, and 5 to repeat the current message. This allows you to navigate through messages and replay important sections (Voicemail Menu Options and Commands).
Android voicemail also provides options to manage your messages after listening. You can press 7 to delete the current message or press 9 to save it. Saving a message will store it in your archives so you can listen to it again later if needed. Pressing * during playback will return you to the main menu.
Using these keypad controls makes it easy to browse through your voicemail inbox, replay important messages, and delete or save each one as desired once you’ve listened to it (List of Special Keys Commands – Wireless Voicemail). With practice, you can quickly navigate your voicemail and manage the messages efficiently.
Visual Voicemail
Visual voicemail is a feature offered by some mobile carriers that allows you to manage your voicemail messages through a visual interface, similar to how you would manage text messages or emails. With visual voicemail, your messages are presented in a list that you can scroll through and select to listen to.
One major advantage of visual voicemail is the ability to view written transcripts of your voicemail messages. The transcription allows you to quickly skim your messages and listen only to the ones you need at the moment without having to listen through each message. This can save you time reviewing voicemails.
You can also easily manage your messages with visual voicemail. Options may include deleting messages, marking them as read/unread, saving messages, and replying by calling or texting the sender back. Some carriers even allow you to forward voicemails to others.
To use visual voicemail, you usually need to have a smartphone and subscribe to a plan from carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint that includes the feature. Turning on visual voicemail may require contacting your carrier. The messages can then be accessed through a dedicated visual voicemail app on your device.
Troubleshooting Voicemail Issues
There are a few common issues that can prevent voicemail from working properly on Android phones:
Voicemail Notifications Not Appearing
If you aren’t getting notifications for new voicemail messages, first make sure notifications for the Phone app are enabled in your Settings. Go to Settings > Notifications and check that notifications are turned on for Phone calls/voicemail.
You may also need to adjust notification settings within the Voicemail app itself. Open the Voicemail app, go to Settings or Menu > Notifications and make sure they are enabled.
Can’t Access Voicemail Menu
If pressing and holding the “1” key on your dialpad isn’t bringing up your voicemail menu, try toggling Airplane mode off and back on. This reconnects the network and often fixes connection issues.
You can also try resetting the Phone app under Settings > Apps > Phone > Storage > Clear Data. This resets app settings which may resolve the issue.
Voicemail Taking a Long Time to Load
Slow loading voicemail could indicate a weak cellular signal. Try moving to an area with better reception. You can also try toggling Airplane mode on and off to force the phone to re-establish the strongest possible connection.
If the issue persists, contact your carrier to have them check your connection strength in your area.
Voicemail Alternatives
While voicemail is the default option on most smartphones, there are other ways to handle missed calls and messages. Two popular alternatives include transcription services and answering services.
Transcription services will convert voicemails into text transcripts that can be easily skimmed. Some apps like Rev offer automated transcription, while others provide human transcribers. This allows you to quickly read messages rather than listening to audio recordings.
Answering services connect callers to a live person who can take a detailed message, answer common questions, or facilitate callback scheduling. This provides a more personalized experience for callers trying to reach you. Well-known answering service companies include Smith.ai and Ruby Receptionists.
Other alternatives like Google Voice, YouMail, and Dialpad integrate features like voicemail transcription, custom greetings, call forwarding, and more. While voicemail is the default on most devices, exploring alternatives can provide a better overall experience for both you and your callers.