Google Voicemail can be disabled in your phone's settings or through your carrier
If you use an Android phone with Google's default voicemail service, you can turn it off by changing which voicemail system handles your calls. The steps depend on whether you want to disable Google Voicemail entirely, switch to your carrier's voicemail instead, or stop voicemail from working altogether. Most Android phones let you change this in the Phone app settings without contacting your carrier.
The fastest route is usually the Phone app's voicemail settings, where you can select a different voicemail provider or disable the feature. If that option is not available on your phone, you may need to contact your carrier to switch back to their voicemail system.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Phone app, go to Settings, then Voicemail, and look for an option to change your voicemail provider or turn it off.
- If you see "Google Voicemail" listed as your current provider, you can usually select a different option or disable it from that same menu.
- Some carriers require you to call them to disable voicemail entirely, even if you can switch providers through your phone settings.
- Disabling Google Voicemail does not delete old voicemail messages — those remain in your Google account unless you delete them manually.
Disable Google Voicemail through the Phone app
On most Android phones, open the Phone app and tap the three-line menu icon (sometimes called a hamburger menu) in the top corner. Look for Settings, then Voicemail. You should see your current voicemail provider listed — if it says "Google Voicemail," you have options to change it.
Tap on the voicemail provider name to see what alternatives are available. Many phones show your carrier's voicemail as an option (such as Verizon Voicemail, T-Mobile Voicemail, or AT&T Voicemail). Select your carrier's voicemail to switch away from Google. If you see an option to disable voicemail entirely, you can select that instead, though some carriers do not allow this through the phone settings.
After you select a new provider or disable the feature, the change usually takes effect immediately. Test it by calling your own number from another phone to confirm voicemail is no longer answering.
What to do if you cannot change voicemail settings in the Phone app
Some Android phones and carriers do not show voicemail settings in the Phone app, or they show the settings but do not allow you to change them. If you tap on your voicemail provider and see no options to change it, you will need to contact your carrier directly.
Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and tell them you want to disable Google Voicemail or switch to their voicemail system. They can make the change on their end, and it typically takes a few minutes to an hour to take effect. Ask them to confirm the change has been applied before you hang up.
Difference between disabling voicemail and switching providers
Disabling voicemail means calls will go unanswered if you do not pick up — the caller will hear a message saying the voicemail box is not set up, and they cannot leave a message. Switching to your carrier's voicemail means calls will still be answered and recorded, but your carrier handles the voicemail service instead of Google.
If you want to receive voicemail but do not want Google handling it, switch to your carrier's system. If you do not want voicemail at all, ask your carrier to disable it completely. Keep in mind that some carriers charge extra to disable voicemail, or they may not allow it on certain plans.
What happens to your existing Google Voicemail messages
Turning off Google Voicemail does not automatically delete the messages you have already received. Those messages stay in your Google account and remain accessible through Google Voice or your Google account settings, even after you disable the voicemail service on your phone.
If you want to delete old voicemail messages before disabling Google Voicemail, open Google Voice on your phone or computer, go to your voicemail inbox, and delete them manually. You can delete individual messages or select multiple messages at once. Once you have deleted what you want to remove, then disable Google Voicemail through your phone settings.
Disabling Google Voicemail on different Android phones
The exact steps vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. On Samsung phones, open the Phone app, tap the menu icon, select Settings, then Voicemail. On Google Pixel phones, the path is the same: Phone app menu, Settings, Voicemail. On other brands like OnePlus or Motorola, look for the same sequence in the Phone app.
If your phone does not have a dedicated Voicemail settings option in the Phone app, check your carrier's app instead. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all have their own apps where you can sometimes manage voicemail settings. If neither the Phone app nor your carrier's app shows voicemail options, contact your carrier's customer service to make the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling Google Voicemail affect my Google Voice account?
Disabling Google Voicemail on your phone does not close your Google Voice account or delete it. Your Google Voice number and messages remain in your Google account. If you want to completely remove Google Voice, you need to delete it separately through your Google account settings.
Can I re-enable Google Voicemail later if I change my mind?
Yes. Go back to the Phone app settings, select Voicemail, and choose Google Voicemail from the provider list. If it is not listed as an option, contact your carrier to have them re-enable it on their end.
What if my carrier does not have a voicemail option in the Phone app?
Some carriers do not appear in the Phone app's voicemail provider list. Call your carrier's customer service and ask them to switch you from Google Voicemail to their voicemail system. They can do this from their system without you needing to change anything on your phone.
Does disabling voicemail stop people from calling me?
No. People can still call you normally. If you do not answer, the call will not be recorded as a voicemail — the caller will hear a message that voicemail is not available and cannot leave a message.