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How to Disable & Delete iPhone Voicemail (2026)

Staying connected
How to Disable & Delete iPhone Voicemail (2026)
Staying connected

Learn how to disable or delete voicemail on your iPhone. Use our easy 2026 guide to turn off call forwarding, update network settings, and clear your inbox.

What is iPhone Voicemail?

iPhone voicemail is a network-supported feature that allows callers to leave an audio message when you miss a call or your phone is turned off. While your iPhone stores the visual voicemail files so you can easily listen to them, the actual voicemail service is controlled by your mobile provider. This means that turning it off entirely usually requires a quick update to your network settings, rather than just flipping a switch on your phone.

Summary

If you want to know how to cancel or disable voicemail on your iPhone, you can do this by typing a short code into your keypad (like ##002#), adjusting your call forwarding settings, or contacting your mobile network provider directly. If you just want to clear your inbox, you can easily delete single or multiple voicemails directly from the Phone app. This guide covers all the steps for modern devices, updated for 2026, so you can manage your calls and privacy exactly how you want to.

TLDR

  • Dial ##002# on your keypad to quickly turn off call forwarding and voicemail.
  • Turn off Call Forwarding in your iPhone settings to stop routing missed calls.
  • Contact your mobile provider (like EE, Telstra, or Optus) to remove the feature completely.
  • Delete single or multiple voicemails directly from the Voicemail tab in your Phone app.
  • Clear your “Deleted Messages” folder to permanently free up device storage space.

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How to Disable Voicemail on Your iPhone

If you’re wondering how to disable voicemail in iPhone models from 2026 or earlier, the process is largely the same. Because your voicemail is linked to your mobile network, completely turning it off involves updating your network settings. Whether you want to know how to stop voicemail in iPhone or how to cancel voicemail for iPhone, these steps will work. This applies to all models, so if you’re searching for how to disable voicemail in iPhone 13, 15, or the newest releases, you’re in the right place. Additionally, if you’re turning off your voicemail because you’re worried about suspicious calls, it’s helpful to know the signs your phone is hacked to keep your data safe.

Use Keypad Short Codes

đź’ˇ Tip: The fastest way to deactivate your iPhone voicemail is by dialling a universal short code on your keypad.

You can turn off all call forwarding, which stops calls from going to voicemail, by using a simple keypad code. Open your Phone app, go to the Keypad tab, dial ##002#, and press the green call button. A screen will pop up confirming that call forwarding has been erased.

Turn Off Call Forwarding in Settings

If you want to know how to stop call forwarding voicemail in iPhone using your device settings, you can easily toggle it off in just a few taps.

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.
  3. Tap on Call Forwarding.
  4. Toggle the switch to the off position.

Contact Your Mobile Provider

Sometimes, your mobile provider requires you to contact them directly to remove voicemail from your iPhone permanently. For example, if you’re looking for how to turn off voicemail on iPhone with EE, you can text a specific code to their support number. Similarly, Australian providers like Telstra or Optus have dedicated customer service lines or mobile apps where you can manage your voicemail settings. Reach out to your provider’s support team and ask them to deactivate the voicemail feature on your account.

How to Delete Voicemails from Your iPhone

If you prefer to keep your voicemail active but want to clear out your inbox, you can easily manage your messages directly from your device. Whether you’re trying to figure out how to delete voicemail in iPhone, how to clear my voicemail on my iPhone, or how to delete voicemail from iPhone 11 and newer models, the steps are built right into iOS. Regularly clearing your inbox is also a great way to protect yourself from vishing scams by removing suspicious audio messages.

Delete a Single Voicemail

To remove a specific message, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab in the bottom right corner.
Step 2: Swipe left on the audio message you want to remove.
Step 3: Tap the red Trash icon to delete it instantly.

How to Delete All Voicemails in iPhone at Once

If your inbox is full and you want to know how to delete all voicemails in iPhone at once, you can select multiple messages quickly to save time.

  • Open the Phone app and go to Voicemail.
  • Tap Edit in the top right corner of your screen.
  • Select all the messages you want to remove by tapping the circles next to them.
  • Tap Delete in the bottom right corner.

Clear Deleted Voicemails Permanently

When you delete a message, your iPhone moves it to a temporary folder, meaning it still takes up storage space on your device. To clear them permanently, follow this process:

1. Find the folder
Scroll to the very bottom of your Voicemail list and tap “Deleted Messages”.
2. Clear the messages
Tap “Clear All” in the top right corner to permanently erase the files from your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you turn off your voicemail on an iPhone?

Yes, you can turn it off by dialling ##002# on your keypad, disabling call forwarding in your settings, or asking your mobile provider to deactivate the feature on your account.

How do I turn voicemail on for my iPhone?

To turn voicemail on for your iPhone, open the Phone app, tap the Voicemail tab, and select “Set Up Now”. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a personal greeting and a secure password.

Why does my iPhone keep telling me I have a voicemail?

This usually happens due to a network glitch or a poor mobile connection. You can fix it by turning Airplane Mode on and off, restarting your phone, or making sure you listen to the very end of your saved messages.

Why did my iPhone delete my voicemails?

iPhones and mobile networks often automatically delete voicemails after a certain period, usually 30 days, to save storage space. If you update your iOS software or switch SIM cards, older messages might also be removed automatically.

Where are voicemails stored on an iPhone?

Voicemails are stored locally on your device’s internal storage. You can find them within the Phone app, under the Voicemail tab.

How do you delete a voicemail on iPhone without listening to it?

Open your Voicemail list, swipe left on the unopened message, and tap the Delete button. The message will move directly to your Deleted Messages folder without playing the audio.

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Written by

Ruby Walker