Voicemail disconnection means stopping your phone from recording messages when you don't answer

Disconnecting voicemail stops your carrier from recording messages and storing them on their system. When someone calls and you don't pick up, the call will either go to a busy signal, ring until it times out, or — depending on your carrier and phone type — go unanswered with no recording made. You cannot delete voicemail permanently through your phone's settings alone; you have to contact your carrier or use their online account portal to turn the service off entirely.

The process differs between carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others) and between phone types (iPhone, Android, older phones). Most carriers charge a small monthly fee for voicemail — typically $2 to $5 — so disconnecting it will stop that charge. However, some carriers bundle voicemail into your plan at no extra cost, so check your bill first to see whether you actually pay for it separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Voicemail disconnection requires contacting your carrier directly or using their online account portal — your phone's settings cannot turn off the service.
  • Each carrier has its own process: Verizon uses *71, AT&T uses *90, T-Mobile uses #004#, and others have different codes or require a phone call.
  • Disconnecting voicemail stops a monthly charge only if your plan lists voicemail as a separate fee; many plans include it at no extra cost.
  • After disconnecting, callers will hear a busy signal or the call will ring until it times out, depending on your carrier's system.

Disconnecting voicemail on iPhone

iPhone does not have a built-in setting to turn off voicemail. Instead, you must contact your carrier. The fastest method is to call your carrier's customer service number (printed on your bill or found on their website) and ask them to disable voicemail on your account. Have your phone number and account PIN ready.

Alternatively, many carriers offer a code you can dial from your phone to disable voicemail without calling. Verizon uses *71, AT&T uses *90, and T-Mobile uses #004#. Dial the code and press call; if it works, you will hear a confirmation message. These codes work on iPhone because they are carrier commands, not phone settings. If the code does not work, your carrier may not support this method, and you will need to call instead.

Disconnecting voicemail on Android

Android phones also do not have a voicemail on/off switch in settings. Like iPhone, you must contact your carrier or use a carrier code. The same codes explore: *71 for Verizon, *90 for AT&T, #004# for T-Mobile. Open your phone's dialer, enter the code, and press call.

Some Android phones show a Voicemail app in the app drawer. Opening this app does not disconnect voicemail — it only lets you listen to messages you already have. To actually turn off the service, you still need to call your carrier or use the code method.

Disconnecting voicemail on older phones and flip phones

Older phones and flip phones use the same carrier codes as modern phones. Dial *71, *90, #004#, or your carrier's specific code using the phone's keypad, then press the call button. The phone will connect to your carrier's system and process the request. You should hear a confirmation tone or message.

If you do not know your carrier's code, or if the code does not work, call your carrier's customer service line. This is the most reliable method for any phone type, and it takes only a few minutes.

Contacting your carrier by phone or online account

Every carrier has a customer service number on your bill or on their website. Call that number, tell them you want to disconnect voicemail, and they will process it when ready. You may need to provide your phone number and account PIN for security. Ask them to confirm the change and tell you when it takes effect — usually within a few hours.

Many carriers also let you manage voicemail through their online account portal. Log into your carrier's website, find the voicemail or phone services section, and look for an option to disable or turn off voicemail. The exact location varies by carrier, but it is usually under "Phone Settings," "Services," or "My Services." If you cannot find it, call customer service instead — it is faster than searching.

What happens after you disconnect voicemail

Once voicemail is disconnected, callers will no longer hear a greeting and will not be able to leave a message. Instead, they will hear a busy signal, or the call will ring until it times out and disconnect. Some carriers route unanswered calls to a generic message saying the number is not available. The exact behavior depends on your carrier's system.

If you change your mind and want voicemail back, call your carrier and ask them to reactivate it. The process is the same as disconnecting it. There is no waiting period or penalty for turning it back on.

Checking whether voicemail is a separate charge on your bill

Before you disconnect, check your phone bill to see whether voicemail appears as a separate line item with a monthly fee. Look for a line that says "Voicemail," "Voice Mail Service," "Visual Voicemail," or "Premium Voicemail." If you see a charge next to it, disconnecting will remove that fee. If voicemail is not listed as a separate charge, your plan includes it at no extra cost, and disconnecting will not lower your bill.

Some carriers offer visual voicemail — a feature that shows voicemail messages as a list on your phone, similar to text messages. This is different from standard voicemail and may have its own fee. Check your bill carefully to see which services you are actually paying for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete voicemail messages without disconnecting the service?

Yes. Open your voicemail app or dial your voicemail number, listen to each message, and delete the ones you want to remove. This keeps the voicemail service active but clears out old messages. Disconnecting the service is different — it stops new messages from being recorded at all.

Will disconnecting voicemail affect my text messages or other phone services?

No. Voicemail is a separate service from texting, calling, or data. Turning it off changes only what happens when someone calls and you do not answer. Everything else on your phone works normally.

What if the carrier code does not work?

Some carriers do not support the code method, or your account may have a setting that blocks it. Call your carrier's customer service number instead. They can disconnect voicemail in seconds and confirm the change was made.

Do I lose my voicemail messages if I disconnect the service?

Yes. Once you disconnect voicemail, any messages stored on your carrier's system are deleted. If you want to keep them, listen to and save them (by recording or writing down the information) before you disconnect.

Can I disconnect voicemail temporarily and turn it back on later?

Yes. You can disconnect and reconnect voicemail as many times as you want. There is no penalty or waiting period. Use the same method to turn it back on: call your carrier or use the carrier code.