How to Turn O2 Voicemail On and Off: A Complete Guide

To turn off O2 voicemail, dial 1760 from your O2 mobile. The call is free and takes under a minute. To switch it back on, dial 1750. Both codes work on Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go accounts.

Switching off Voicemail 901

O2 provides a straightforward method to deactivate voicemail directly from your handset. No charge applies.

A second option is the GSM short code ##002#. This cancels all active call diverts on your number, including the divert to voicemail. Once disabled, callers cannot leave a message. Your phone will ring until the call times out, and you will still receive a missed call notification on your device.

If you have saved messages, listen to them before dialling 1760. Turning off the service may delete any stored voicemail.

Reactivating voicemail

If you decide you need the service again, the process is equally simple:

1. Open your phone's dialler.
2. Dial 1750 and press the call button.
3. An automated message will confirm that Voicemail 901 has been switched back on.

Once reactivated, you may need to set up your personal greeting and PIN if you haven't used the service before. To do this, dial 901 and follow the voice prompts.

Changing how long your phone rings

You can extend the ringing time before voicemail answers. The maximum duration is 30 seconds. This gives you more time to answer your phone.

1. Open your phone's dialler.
2. Enter the code: **61*901*11*XX#
3. Replace 'XX' with the desired number of seconds. This must be in five-second increments: 05, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30.
4. Press the call button to submit the code. A confirmation message should appear on your screen.

If this code does not work, you may need to temporarily disable Wi-Fi Calling in your phone's settings before trying again.

Recording a personal greeting

A personalised greeting can provide a better experience for your callers. To record your own greeting:

1. Dial 901 from your O2 mobile.
2. Press the star (*) key for the main menu.
3. Choose option 3 and follow the prompts to record, save, or change your greeting.

Voicemail costs: what you need to know

Understanding when you might be charged for using voicemail is important, especially when travelling.

In the UK: Calling 901 to check your voicemail is included in your tariff allowance for Pay Monthly customers. For some Pay As You Go tariffs, such as 'Classic Pay As You Go', a small charge per call may apply.

Abroad: Checking your voicemail from abroad by calling 901 is charged at international roaming rates. To avoid unexpected costs, it is advisable to turn off voicemail by dialling 1760 before you travel.

From another phone: To check your messages from a landline or another mobile network, dial your full O2 number. When your voicemail greeting starts, press the star (*) key and enter your PIN. This call will be charged at the standard rate of the network you are using.

O2 Call Alert: an alternative to voicemail

If you don't want callers to leave messages but still wish to know who tried to contact you, O2 offers a free alternative service.

O2 Call Alert is a free service that sends you a text message with the caller's number, and the time and date they called, whenever you miss a call. This service works when your phone is switched off, out of signal, or busy. You cannot use Voicemail 901 and O2 Call Alert at the same time; activating one will automatically deactivate the other.

• To turn on O2 Call Alert, dial 1710.
• To turn off O2 Call Alert, dial 1760.

Visual Voicemail for compatible devices

For iPhone users and some Android users, O2 supports Visual Voicemail. This feature displays a list of your voicemail messages directly in your phone's dialler app, allowing you to listen to them in any order without having to call 901. It is typically enabled by default on compatible devices but can be managed through your My O2 account or by contacting customer services.