How to Set Up Voicemail on Android and Customize Your Inbox
While it feels like many of us have our smartphones permanently attached to our bodies, there are still times when you can’t get to the phone quickly enough. Other times, you may want to see why someone’s reaching out to you before you pick up. Voicemail is an electronic system that allows you to receive, store, and then retrieve messages. So, we can see why it’s important to know how to set up voicemail on Android.
Why Set Up Voicemail?
Say you’re in the middle of a meeting, an important conversation, spending time with the kids, or watching a show and you can’t (or don’t want to) answer your phone. Voicemail is a digital answering service, which gives you the ability to listen to messages at your own convenience. There are a number of reasons this is important. First of all, it can help you stay connected as you won’t miss important messages. It’s also more convenient to be able to listen to the messages anytime and anywhere.
Having a personalized voicemail message can also provide a professional impression for callers when used for business. You can then manage calls more efficiently, especially when you’re busy at work or in meetings. It can also help you keep track of important messages and prioritize responses. In other words, you can return your boss’s or top client’s call before calling back your friend to make plans for the weekend.
Finally, voicemail provides a secure way to receive important and even sensitive information. And because it can be personalized, you can set up a more professional response for a work line and a more creative voicemail that reflects your personality for personal calls.
How to Set Up Voicemail on Android
Fortunately, setting up voicemail on Android phones is simple and straightforward, though it can vary slightly depending on the phone model and carrier. Before you get started, though, it can be helpful to decide whether you want to choose a script you say yourself or choose an automated message. The pros of a personalized greeting include having a more personal, engaging message for callers. However, you’ll also have to decide what you want to say, and you may want to update your message in the future.
Start with a simple script like, “Hi, this is [your name]. I’m unable to take your call right now, so please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll return your call as soon as I can. Thanks for your call!” And adjust to suit your needs and personality.
You can also easily set up an automated message. However, it may sound impersonal to some callers.
Once you’ve decided on your message, here’s a step-by-step guide for how to set up voicemail on Android, or at least most Androids:
- Open the Phone App by tapping on the phone icon (which usually looks like a phone receiver) on the bottom of your home screen.
- Tap on the keypad button, which can be found at the bottom right of your phone. Access the voicemail by pressing and then HOLDING the “1” key on the dial pad, which typically acts as a shortcut to call your voicemail service. Alternatively, you may tap the voicemail icon at the bottom of your phone screen.
You may need to enter a PIN or password before you can access the voicemail. Then tap the three dots on the upper right hand of your screen. Tap settings. Scroll down to tap voicemail. Then tap voicemail greetings. If this is the first time you’re accessing the voicemail, you will likely get a message to that says no voicemail is set up. - Listen closely to the automated instructions and follow the prompts to set up a greeting, change a password, or adjust playback settings.
- Once you’re satisfied with your greeting, save your settings, and hang up the phone.
- Finally, press and hold 1 again, enter your PIN, and you’re all set and ready to receive voicemails.
Checking Your Voicemails
Once you have your voicemail set up, you’ll then be able to access any messages you receive. Here’s how:
By tapping on the phone icon and then the voicemail option, you’ll find a list of voicemails, with the most recent options listed first. Voicemails you have not yet listened to are usually bolded. All you need to do is tap the play button to hear the message.
Alternatively, you can again press and hold the “1” key on the phone pad. If prompted, enter your voicemail PIN to access your inbox. If you so choose, you may also disable the PIN in the voicemail settings.
In addition to being able to listen to voicemail, other voicemail features include:
- Call information, which shows the caller’s name, phone number, call time, and duration.
- Transcripts, some phones also provide a text preview of voicemails received for quick reading. They aren’t, however, always accurate. So, you may still need to listen to the voicemail.
- Notifications, which alert you when you’ve received new voicemails.
If you aren’t completely satisfied with the voicemail that comes with your phone, you can also add an app to your phone. Some of the most popular include Google Voice, which provides transcripts, customizable greetings, and free calls within the U.S. Another popular option is YouMail, which offers personalized greetings, spam protection, and voicemail-to-email functionality. AT&T users can also use AT&T Visual Voicemail to easily manage voicemails with visual interfaces and transcripts.
How to Set Up Voicemail on Android FAQs
Q: Is voicemail set up the same for all Android phones?
A: While the basic process is similar, specific steps can vary from phone to phone and carrier to carrier.
Q: Can I change my voicemail greeting later?
A: Yes, you can update your voicemail greeting anytime by accessing the voicemail settings and following the prompts.
Q: Can I retrieve deleted voicemails?
A: Some carriers allow retrieval of deleted voicemails within a limited timeframe. Check your voicemail settings or contact your specific carrier for instructions.
Q: How expensive is voicemail?
A: Most carriers, including AT&T, include voicemail as part of your phone plan. If you have a different service, however, you may need to check with your carrier to ensure this isn’t considered an advanced feature.
Q: What if I forget my voicemail PIN?
A: Fortunately, you can reset your PIN through your carrier’s customer service or website.