How to turn off voicemail on an iPhone (2024)

Voicemails are a great support system for busy people. However, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and some prefer missed calls over recorded messages. If you are one of them, here’s a neat little guide on how to turn off voicemail on an iPhone.

1. Use MMI code to disable voicemail on iPhone
2. Contact your service provider
3. Fill up your voicemail space

1. Use MMI code to disable voicemail on iPhone

MMI code, aka Man-Machine-Interface codes, allows you to communicate with your mobile service provider. This one is a quick and easy method to disable your conditional call forwarding settings and voicemail settings.

Find your mailbox number

1. Launch the Phone app → Keypad tab.
2. Type *#61# and hit dial.
3. Jot down the mailbox number and tap Dismiss.

Turn on call forwarding

4. Go to Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding.
5. Toggle on Call Forwarding.
6. Tap Forward To → type the mailbox number.
7. Exit the menu to save changes.

Deactivate iPhone voicemail

8. Open the Phone app → Keypad tab again.
9. Type in ##004# and dial.
10. You’ll see a setting deactivation succeeded message for all voicemail-related features.
11. Tap Dismiss to exit the page.

Now, put your phone on Airplane Mode and check whether your voicemail is deactivated or not.

Note: The only flaw in the plan is that not all service providers comply with these global MMI standards. So, it might not work for everyone, but the next step would.

2. Contact your service provider 

I know reaching and conversing with customer service can be a lengthy process, but this one’s the most effective way. Notably, this will be more or less a permanent change and will delete saved greetings, messages, and settings.

You can easily search for your carrier’s contact number via Google. Here’s the number of the most popular service providers in the US.

• T-Mobile – 1-877-453-1304
• Verizon – 1-800-922-0204
• AT&T – 1-800-331-0500
• Sprint – 888-211-4727

3. Fill up your voicemail space

Well, this is one of the silliest hacks I will ever be sharing (hopefully). But since it works like a charm, I have no qualm about adding it to the list.

Start by enabling Airplane Mode. Now keep calling yourself and leave voicemails until your mailbox is full. The limit of voicemails may vary according to your service provider. Once the mailbox is out of storage, you’ll not be able to receive any voicemails, and we get what we desire.

Signing off 

If you want to deactivate voicemail for an extended period, prefer calling your service provider to do so. And when you want it to be done temporarily, use the MMI code method. To reactivate, you can use dial ##004# or call the service provider.

And if you have dared to go with the storage full method, you can instantly free up space by deleting all voicemail messages at once.

Facing issues with voicemail constantly? The below articles may help:

• iPhone going straight to Voicemail? 12 Ways to fix it!
• Voicemail not working on iPhone? Try these 11 fixes
• How to fix ‘Visual Voicemail is Currently Unavailable’ error on iPhone
• How to set up and use voicemail on iPhone