How to Enable or Disable Live Voicemail Feature on an iPhone
Get more control over your calls by reading voicemails as they’re being left.
I’m always juggling between meetings and calls, and there were times when important messages slipped through because I couldn’t answer in time, or my phone just went straight to voicemail.
That changed when I discovered Apple's Live Voicemail feature. It lets me read real-time transcriptions as someone leaves a message, so I can decide if I need to answer immediately. If you're on iOS 17 or later, Live Voicemail is enabled by default—meaning it’s already working unless you’ve turned it off.
Equally easy to disable if you find it intrusive or prefer traditional voicemail. Here's how it works and how to switch it on or off.
Steps to Activate or Deactivate Live Voicemail
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone, scroll down, then select "Apps"
Step 2: Scroll down and tap "Phone"
Step 3: Select "Live Voicemail"
Step 4: Toggle the feature ON or OFF based on your preference
Louis Eriakha
Conclusion
Live Voicemail is a smart addition for those who want greater control over incoming calls, letting you read messages in real time, skip unwanted interruptions, or prioritise important ones.
It’s a feature that balances convenience, flexibility, and privacy, all handled locally on your device. And if it’s not your style, disabling it is just as easy. In the end, it's all about making your iPhone work the way you do—on your own terms.
