Voicemail

Voicemail is a handy feature that records and stores messages from callers when you’re unable to take a call. Below, we explain how the service works for both mobiles and home phones, how to listen to your messages, and how to deactivate the service if you need to.

How do you access mobile voicemail?

If you buy a mobile from an Irish network provider, voicemail is usually set up and ready to go as soon as you insert your SIM card or activate your eSIM. If you’ve bought a “SIM-free” phone elsewhere, you might need to activate the service yourself. We recommend getting in touch with your provider’s customer service or checking their website for specific activation steps.

Once you’ve recorded your own greeting and set a secure PIN code, you can access your messages by calling a dedicated number (often a short-code like 171) which is unique to each network. You’ll hear an automated menu with various options – just follow the voice prompts to play, save, or delete your messages.

Please note! Calls to check your voicemail are typically deducted from your monthly minutes or “bundle.” If you’ve used up your allowance or are on a top-up plan without a bundle, standard call charges will apply. We recommend reviewing your provider’s latest pricing, as rates can vary. You won’t be charged for someone leaving a message if you are in Ireland or the EU. However, if you are roaming outside the EU/UK, some providers may charge you for receiving the incoming call that is then diverted to your voicemail.

Secure your voicemail with a PIN code

Most Irish providers strongly recommend protecting your voicemail with a PIN. This allows you to listen to your messages from any other phone and is usually mandatory for accessing your voicemail when you are roaming abroad. While voicemail often comes with a default PIN, these are not secure and you should change this to your own unique code as soon as possible.

How to change your PIN

  1. Call your network’s voicemail access number (e.g., 171).
  2. Select the option for ‘Settings’ or ‘Security’ and follow the prompts.
  3. Enter your new code and press # if requested.
  4. Re-enter the code to confirm.

Most providers require a four-digit PIN. Avoid easy-to-guess combinations like 1111 or 1234, or parts of your phone number.

Can you listen to messages on another phone?

Yes, you can usually check your voicemail from a different phone or even your home phone. While the exact steps depend on your network, you typically call your own mobile number, wait for the voicemail to kick in, press a specific key (often * or #), and then enter your PIN.

Can you forward calls to mobile voicemail?

You can divert incoming calls directly to voicemail using your phone’s settings. This process varies depending on whether you use an iPhone or an Android device. Check your “Call Settings” menu for “Call Forwarding” options. If you find it tricky, your network provider’s support page will have a guide for your specific model.

When and how to turn off mobile voicemail

If you are travelling outside the EU or the UK, you might want to switch off voicemail to avoid unexpected roaming charges. Even though ‘Roam Like At Home’ rules generally cover you within the EU and the UK, providers typically apply standard international rates when you are further afield (e.g., in the USA or Australia). We recommend checking your specific plan’s roaming policy before you travel.

How to turn off voicemail

  • Via app/website: Most Irish providers allow you to toggle voicemail on or off through your online account or app.
  • Via short-code: Many networks allow you to deactivate diverts by typing a specific code into your keypad (like ##002#) and pressing call.
  • Customer support: If in doubt, a quick call to your provider’s helpline can get it sorted.

How does Visual Voicemail work?

Visual Voicemail gives you a scrollable list of your messages directly on your screen, showing you who called and how long the message is. You can simply tap the one you want to hear without having to “call in” to 171. This service uses mobile data. In Ireland, it’s generally free to use at home, but data roaming charges will apply if you use it outside the EU.

  • iPhone: All modern iPhones (running current versions of iOS) support Visual Voicemail on the main Irish networks.
  • Android: Support is now widespread on flagship devices, particularly the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel series.

How to activate Visual Voicemail on iPhone

  1. Ensure your phone is running the latest software update.
  2. Make sure Mobile Data is switched on (you usually need to be off WiFi for the initial setup).
  3. Open the phone app and tap the Voicemail tab.
  4. Tap Set Up Now, create a password, and follow the prompts to save your greeting.

For Android users, the process is usually as simple as opening your phone app settings and toggling on Visual Voicemail. If the option isn’t there, a quick call to your provider will confirm if your specific plan supports it.

How does voicemail work for home phone services?

As Ireland has transitioned away from traditional copper landlines, most home phone services are now delivered via your broadband connection as “Digital Voice” or “VoIP”. Because this service is cloud-based, voicemail often comes as a standard digital feature, though the way you access it and the costs involved can vary between providers.

With some providers, voicemail is included in your plan, while others may charge a small monthly fee for the service.

Important note for alarms: Some monitored house alarms or “Social Alarms” (emergency pendants) may not be compatible with digital voicemail services. Always double-check with your alarm provider before activating voicemail on your home phone.

What’s included with home phone voicemail?

  • Personalised greetings.
  • Storage for around 20 messages.
  • Remote access: The ability to check your home messages from your mobile by using a secure PIN.
  • Call protect: Some providers include features that send suspected “spam” or nuisance calls straight to a separate folder.

Can you access your home voicemail when you’re away? 

Yes, you can usually listen to your messages from any phone. To do this, you’ll first need to set up a personal PIN code while you are at home. Usually, you dial a specific access code from your home phone and select the “Settings” option in the main menu to create your PIN.