Turn Off Live Voicemail for Call Forwarding

Overview

This guide explains why it is necessary to turn off Live Voicemail on your iPhone to enable seamless call forwarding to your virtual assistant or secretary. Live Voicemail can interfere with forwarding by intercepting calls before they are redirected, preventing them from reaching the intended destination.

Why You Need to Turn Off Live Voicemail

Live Voicemail is an iOS feature that allows users to see a real-time transcription of incoming voicemail messages while the caller is still speaking. However, when Live Voicemail is enabled, it may:

• Intercept forwarded calls, preventing them from reaching your assistant or secretary.
• Delay call forwarding, causing potential confusion or missed opportunities.
• Override forwarding settings, leading to calls going to voicemail instead of being redirected.

Disabling Live Voicemail ensures that call forwarding works correctly without interference, allowing your assistant to answer your calls as intended.

How to Turn Off Live Voicemail

For iOS 18 and Later

1. Open the Settings App:
   • Unlock your iPhone and tap on the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Apps Section:
   • Scroll down and tap Apps, then select Phone.
3. Disable Live Voicemail:
   • Tap on Live Voicemail and toggle it to Off.
4. Confirm the Change:
   • Ensure the switch is turned off to prevent voicemail interception.

For iOS 17 and Earlier

1. Open the Settings App:
   • Tap on the Settings app from your home screen.
2. Go to Phone Settings:
   • Scroll down and tap Phone.
3. Turn Off Live Voicemail:
   • Locate the Live Voicemail option and toggle it to Off.
4. Verify the Setting:
   • Double-check to ensure the feature is disabled.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues turning off Live Voicemail, consider the following:

• Live Voicemail Option Not Available:
  • Ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.
  • Contact your carrier to confirm voicemail settings.
• Forwarding Still Not Working:
  • Restart your device and try again.
  • Verify that call forwarding settings are correctly configured in the Phone settings.
• Calls Still Going to Voicemail:
  • Disable any additional voicemail features provided by your carrier.
  • Reach out to your carrier for further assistance.

Additional Information

What is Live Voicemail?

Live Voicemail allows iPhone users to view a real-time transcription of voicemail messages while they are being recorded, offering the option to pick up the call.

Why Should I Disable Live Voicemail?

You should disable Live Voicemail if you:

• Want calls to be forwarded without interference.
• Use a call answering service that requires direct call routing.
• Experience missed or delayed forwarded calls due to voicemail interception.

Contact Support

For further assistance, contact your mobile carrier:

• AT&T: Dial 611 or visit AT&T Support
• Verizon: Dial *611 or visit Verizon Support
• T-Mobile: Dial 611 or visit T-Mobile Support

By following these steps, you can ensure that call forwarding to your virtual assistant or secretary works without issues by disabling Live Voicemail.