How To Enable Live Voicemail Feature On iPhone

Apple has introduced the Live voicemail feature on iPhones with the latest iOS 18 update. This functionality includes both traditional voicemail and Live Voicemail, which transcribes messages in real-time. 

Users can listen to recordings or view transcriptions within the Phone app with this feature. The Live voicemail  feature allows for efficient communication and ensures users never miss important updates, even when they cannot answer calls.

In this article, we will guide you on how to use the Live voicemail feature. 

How the Live voicemail feature works

In the Phone app, Visual Voicemail and Live Voicemail show a list of messages. Users can choose which ones to play and delete without listening to all of them. A badge on the Voicemail icon indicates the number of unheard messages.

Voicemail transcription shows messages transcribed into text. The transcription is limited to voicemails in English received on your iPhone with iOS 10 or later, and transcription depends on the quality of the recording. To view a transcribed voicemail, tap Voicemail in the Phone app.

Set up voicemail

The first time you tap Voicemail, you’re asked to create a voicemail password and record your voicemail greeting.

1. Go to the Phone app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Voicemail, then tap Set Up Now.
3. Create a voicemail password.
4. Choose a greeting—Default or Custom; if you choose Custom, you can record a new greeting.

Enable Live Voicemail Feature on iPhone

Live Voicemail is automatically enabled in iPhones running iOS 17 and above. If it is not active, you can do it manually by following the steps below:

1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the Voicemail tab in the bottom-right corner.
3. Select Set Up Now to begin the setup process.
4. Create a password for your voicemail.
5. Choose between the default greeting or a custom one. To record a custom greeting, follow the prompts.
6. Save your settings to activate voicemail.

Disable Live Voicemail Feature on iPhone

For users who prefer not to use voicemail, disabling the feature is simple. 

1. Open ‘Settings’ and navigate to ‘Phone.’
2. Locate the ‘Live Voicemail’ option.
3. Toggle the feature off to deactivate it.

Also Read: How To Activate FaceTime on iPhone

Store Voicemail in iCloud

You can store and sync your Live Voicemail and Carrier Voicemail in iCloud.

1. Go to Settings  >your profile> iCloud.
2. Tap See All next to Saved to iCloud, then turn on Phone & FaceTime.