You can disable voicemail through your phone's settings or by calling your carrier
Voicemail is a service that records messages when you don't answer a call. Most phones come with voicemail turned on by default, but you can turn it off entirely. The method depends on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, and whether you want to disable it just for yourself or prevent callers from leaving messages at all.
On an iPhone, you can disable voicemail by deleting the Voicemail tab from the Phone app — this removes your access to saved messages but doesn't stop callers from leaving them. On Android, the process varies by phone model and carrier, but usually involves going into Phone settings and toggling voicemail off. If you want to prevent callers from reaching voicemail entirely, you'll need to contact your carrier directly, because that setting lives on their network, not on your device.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting the Voicemail tab from your iPhone's Phone app hides voicemail from you but doesn't stop people from leaving messages.
- On Android, go to Phone settings, then Voicemail, and look for a toggle or option to turn it off — the exact steps depend on your phone model and carrier.
- To prevent callers from reaching voicemail at all, you must contact your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) because that setting is controlled on their network.
- Some carriers let you disable voicemail through their website or app; others require a phone call to customer service.
Disabling voicemail on iPhone
The simplest way to stop seeing voicemail on an iPhone is to remove the Voicemail tab. Open the Phone app, tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right, then tap Edit in the upper left corner. Tap the red minus sign next to Voicemail and confirm. The tab disappears from your Phone app, and you won't see notifications for new messages.
This method does not actually turn off voicemail on your carrier's network. Callers can still leave messages; you just won't be able to hear them through your phone. If you want to truly disable voicemail so that callers hear a busy signal or a message saying voicemail is unavailable, you need to contact your carrier.
Disabling voicemail on Android
Android phones vary widely in how they handle voicemail, depending on the manufacturer and your carrier. On most phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu icon, go to Settings, then look for Voicemail. You may see an option to turn voicemail off or to disable notifications. Some phones call this "Voicemail settings" or "Advanced settings."
If you use Google Voice as your voicemail service, open the Google Voice app, tap the menu icon, go to Settings, select your phone number, then Voicemail, and toggle off "Voicemail transcription" or disable the service entirely. If you don't see a voicemail option in your phone's settings, your carrier may control it through their own app — check whether you have a Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or other carrier app installed.
Contacting your carrier to disable voicemail completely
If you want to prevent callers from leaving voicemail messages altogether, you must call your carrier's customer service line. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and other carriers all have the ability to disable voicemail on your account, but they don't offer this setting in their apps or online portals — you have to request it by phone.
When you call, tell the representative you want voicemail disabled on your account. They will make the change, which usually takes effect within a few minutes. After this, callers will hear a message saying voicemail is not available, and their calls will either go to a busy signal or end the call. Some carriers may ask why you want it disabled, but they cannot refuse the request.
Why someone might want to disable voicemail
People disable voicemail for different reasons. Some find voicemail intrusive and prefer text messages or email. Others want to avoid the temptation to check old messages. Some people disable it because they rarely use their phone for calls and don't want the service taking up space or battery.
Disabling voicemail does not affect your ability to make or receive calls, send or receive text messages, or use data. It only removes the voicemail service itself. If you change your mind later, you can re-enable it by reversing the steps above or by calling your carrier again.
What happens to voicemail if you switch phones
Voicemail is tied to your phone number and carrier account, not to your physical phone. If you get a new phone and keep the same phone number and carrier, your voicemail settings stay the same. If you disabled voicemail on your old phone by removing the Voicemail tab, you'll need to remove it again on your new phone, because the tab reappears by default.
If you disabled voicemail through your carrier, that setting follows you to any new phone you use with that number. You won't need to do anything — callers will still be unable to leave messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete the Voicemail tab on iPhone, can I get it back?
Yes. Open the Phone app, tap the Voicemail tab (or if it's not visible, tap More at the bottom right), then tap Edit and tap the green plus sign next to Voicemail. The tab reappears when ready.
Will disabling voicemail stop spam calls from leaving messages?
Only if you disable it through your carrier. If you just hide the Voicemail tab, spam callers can still leave messages — you just won't see them. Disabling voicemail at the carrier level prevents anyone from leaving messages, including spammers.
Can I disable voicemail for only certain contacts?
No. Voicemail is an all-or-nothing service — you either have it or you don't. You cannot turn it off for specific people. If you want to avoid calls from certain numbers, use your phone's blocking feature instead.
What if my carrier doesn't let me disable voicemail?
Most major carriers allow it, but some prepaid or regional carriers may not. Call your carrier's customer service line and ask. If they refuse, your only option is to hide the voicemail tab on your phone so you don't see notifications.
Does disabling voicemail cost anything?
No. Voicemail is usually included in your phone plan at no extra charge, and disabling it does not change your bill. Some carriers may charge a small fee to re-enable it later, but disabling it is always free.