# Set up o2 voicemail

> Set up O2 voicemail 901 on your mobile in 2026. Dial 901 to listen to messages, 1750 to turn on, 1760 to turn off. Create a PIN for security.

**Published:** 2026-05-10
**Updated:** 2026-05-10
**Category:** HOW_TO_TELCO
**Author:** Recharge Vodafone editorial team
**Canonical URL:** https://rechargevodafone.co.uk/set-up-o2-voicemail/

## Key takeaways

- O2 Voicemail 901 is automatically set up on all new O2 phones, so you can start using it straight away by dialling 901 from your mobile.
- You must set up a voicemail PIN the first time you call 901 to keep your messages secure, or if your phone has been reset.
- Turn voicemail on by calling 1750 free from your mobile, or turn it off by calling 1760 free if you no longer need the service.
- If you want to replace Voicemail 901 with O2 Call Alert instead, call 1710 free from your mobile, as you cannot use both services at the same time.

## Key statistics

- **901** — O2 voicemail dial number from mobile (Source: O2)
- **1750** — free number to turn O2 voicemail on from mobile (Source: O2)
- **1760** — free number to turn O2 voicemail off from mobile (Source: O2)
- **1710** — free number to replace Voicemail 901 with O2 Call Alert (Source: O2 Community)
- **1780** — free number to obtain voicemail roaming number (called from UK) (Source: O2 Community)

## Article

<p>O2 Voicemail 901 is set up automatically on all new O2 phones, with a default greeting ready before you even touch a setting. To access your messages, dial <strong>901</strong> from your O2 mobile. The first time you call, O2 will prompt you to create a PIN to keep your mailbox secure.</p>

<h2>Do I need to do anything to activate O2 voicemail?</h2>

<p>For most customers, nothing. O2 Voicemail 901 comes pre-enabled with a default greeting, so callers can leave messages from day one. If you find voicemail has been switched off on your account, dial <strong>1750</strong> free from your O2 mobile to turn it back on. That call takes under a minute.</p>

<p>As O2's official help page puts it: "To keep your messages secure you need to set up a voicemail PIN. We'll ask you to set one up the first time you call 901, or if your phone's been reset."</p>

<h2>How do I listen to my voicemail messages?</h2>

<p>Dial <strong>901</strong> from your O2 mobile. You will be asked for your PIN, then you can play, save or delete messages. That number works any time, day or night, and the call to 901 is free within your allowance.</p>

<p>Android users who find voicemail is not ringing through should check their call settings and confirm the voicemail number is set to <strong>901</strong>. That fixes the problem in the majority of cases.</p>

<h2>How do I turn O2 voicemail off or back on?</h2>

<ul>
  <li>To switch voicemail <strong>off</strong>: dial <strong>1760</strong> free from your O2 mobile.</li>
  <li>To switch voicemail <strong>on</strong> again: dial <strong>1750</strong> free from your O2 mobile.</li>
</ul>

<p>Both calls are free and take effect quickly. Bear in mind that while voicemail is off, callers will not be able to leave you a message.</p>

<h2>What is O2 Call Alert and how does it differ?</h2>

<p>O2 Call Alert is a separate service that notifies you of missed calls without storing a voice message. You cannot run Voicemail 901 and O2 Call Alert at the same time. If you want to switch from voicemail to Call Alert, dial <strong>1710</strong> free from your mobile. According to the O2 Community guide: "If you use Voicemail 901 and you want to replace the service with O2 Call Alert, call 1710 free from your mobile."</p>

<p>To go back to Voicemail 901, dial 1750.</p>

<h2>Can I use O2 voicemail when abroad?</h2>

<p>Yes, but there is a step to do before you travel. Call <strong>1780</strong> free from your O2 mobile whilst you are still in the UK, and O2 will text you a roaming number for your voicemail. Save that number before you leave.</p>

<p>When you are abroad, listening to a voicemail costs the same as making a standard call back to the UK, so it sits outside your normal allowance. Checking messages briefly and then hanging up keeps the cost down.</p>

<h2>Quick reference: key O2 voicemail numbers</h2>

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Action</th>
      <th>Number to dial</th>
      <th>Cost</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Listen to voicemail</td>
      <td>901</td>
      <td>Free (within allowance)</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Turn voicemail on</td>
      <td>1750</td>
      <td>Free</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Turn voicemail off</td>
      <td>1760</td>
      <td>Free</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Switch to O2 Call Alert</td>
      <td>1710</td>
      <td>Free</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Get roaming voicemail number (call from UK)</td>
      <td>1780</td>
      <td>Free</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

## Quotations

> To keep your messages secure you need to set up a voicemail PIN. We'll ask you to set one up the first time you call 901, or if your phone's been reset.
> — O2 (official help page) (https://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-and-devices/calls-and-messaging/voicemail)

> If you use Voicemail 901 and you want to replace the service with O2 Call Alert, call 1710 free from your mobile.
> — O2 Community guide (https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-and-Services/All-you-need-to-know-about-O2-Voicemail-901/ba-p/547712)

## Frequently asked questions

### how do I set up O2 voicemail PIN

O2 will prompt you to create a PIN the first time you call 901 from your mobile. This PIN keeps your voicemail secure and you'll need it each time you access your messages. If your phone has been reset, you'll be asked to set up a new PIN on your next call to 901.

### what number do I dial to listen to O2 voicemail

Dial 901 from your O2 mobile to access your voicemail messages. Enter your PIN when prompted, then you can play, save or delete messages. This call is free within your allowance and works 24/7.

### how do I turn off O2 voicemail 901

Dial 1760 free from your O2 mobile to switch voicemail off. If you change your mind later, you can re-enable it by dialling 1750 free from your mobile.

### O2 voicemail not working Android fix

Go to your call settings and check that the voicemail number is set to 901. This fixes voicemail issues for most Android users. If it's set to a different number, change it to 901 and your voicemail should start working.

### can I use O2 Call Alert instead of voicemail 901

Yes, you can replace Voicemail 901 with O2 Call Alert by dialling 1710 free from your mobile. However, you cannot use both services at the same time, so you'll need to choose one or the other.

## Sources

1. [Solved: How do I change my voicemail settings - O2 Community](https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Apple/How-do-I-change-my-voicemail-settings/td-p/1806123) (community.o2.co.uk)
2. [All you need to know about O2 Voicemail 901. - O2 Community](https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-and-Services/All-you-need-to-know-about-O2-Voicemail-901/ba-p/547712) (community.o2.co.uk)
3. [Voicemail 901: Your O2 voicemail](https://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-and-devices/calls-and-messaging/voicemail) (www.o2.co.uk)
4. [Solved: How do I set up my voicemail number? - O2 Community](https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Android/How-do-I-set-up-my-voicemail-number/td-p/949737) (community.o2.co.uk)