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How to set up and manage your voicemail

This support article will show you how to set up and manage your voicemail.

Setting up your voicemail

You can set up your voicemail mailbox by calling 121 from your Vodafone phone. Standard call charges apply.

When you set up voicemail, you’ll be asked to:

Select a security code

Select a voicemail security code for checking messages from another phone. 

Record your name

Record your name for your standard greeting.

Choose your time zone

Set your time zone by selecting your state.

Once you’ve set up your voicemail, stay on the line:

  • To personalise your greeting.
  • To change your notification method.
  • To switch your security code prompt on or off.

Please note, your initial mailbox setup can only be done by calling 121 directly from your phone.

How to get your voicemail messages

You can access your voicemail messages by calling 121 from your Vodafone phone. Standard call charges apply.

You can also access your voicemail by calling 0414 121 121 from another phone with your 4-10 digit security code. Once you’re connected:

  • Press ‘*’
  • Enter your mobile number starting with '04'
  • Press ‘#’
  • Enter your voicemail security code
  • Press ‘#’
Voicemail message options.

These are the message options you can use when playing voicemail:

  • Press ‘1’ to replay the current message.
  • Press ‘2’ to save the current message for 7 days.
  • Press ‘3’ to delete the current message.
  • Press ‘*’ to skip to the next message.
  • Press ‘**’ to go to the main menu.

How to manage your voicemail settings.

The best way to manage your voicemail settings is through My Vodafone.

Under ‘Call forwarding’, you can select to:

  • Divert all your calls to voicemail.
  • Divert your unanswered calls to voicemail.
  • Divert calls to voicemail when you’re unreachable or busy.

You can also manage your voicemail diversions using short dialling codes.

Manage voicemail diversions with short dialling codes.

Here are the short dialling codes you can use to manage your voicemail diversions.

Function Call Charged Description
Activate voicemail 1211 No

Calls are diverted to voicemail when:

  • Your phone is engaged or you reject the call.
  • Your phone is switched off or out of range.
  • Your phone isn't answered for 15 seconds.
Deactivate voicemail  1210 No Stops calls being diverted to voicemail when your phone isn’t answered, is unreachable or engaged. This enables diverts to Call Catcher.
Activate all incoming calls diversion 1212 No

Diverts all calls to voicemail. Your phone won't ring. If a message is left, you'll receive an SMS to let you know.

Deactivate all incoming calls diversion 1213 No Cancels all calls being diverted to voicemail. To switch voicemail back on, dial 1211.
Record new voicemail greetings.

You can record new greetings by calling 121, standard call rates apply. After playing any new and saved messages in your mailbox, you’ll go through to the main menu. To record your greetings:

1. Press ‘2’ to manage your greetings.

2. Select the greeting:

  • Press ‘1’ to record your personal greeting for all calls.
  • Press ‘2’ to record your busy greeting for when you’re on another call or reject an incoming call.
  • Press ‘3’ to record your extended absence greeting if you’re going to be unavailable for a long period. Please note, if your extended absence greeting is active, it will override any other greetings and callers won't be able to leave a message.
  • Press ‘4’ to record your name for your standard greeting.

3. Press ‘#’ to finish recording.

4. Select one of the following:

  • Press ‘1’ to replay your greeting.
  • Press ‘2’ to save your greeting.
  • Press ‘3’ to re-record your greeting.
  • Press ‘4’ to erase your recorded greeting.

5. Hang up, or press ‘*’ to return to the main menu.

Change your voicemail security code.

You’ll be required to enter your security code if you're calling from another phone to check your voicemail.

You can change your voicemail security code by calling 121, standard call rates apply. After playing any new and saved messages in your mailbox, you’ll go through to the main menu. To change your security code:

  1. Press ‘3’ for personal preferences.
  2. Press ‘3’ for log in options.
  3. Press ‘1’ to change your security code.
  4. Enter your new security code.
  5. Press ‘1’ to save, or press ‘2’ to re-enter.
  6. Hang up, or press ‘*’ to return to the main menu.

Your new security code:

  • Must be 4-10 digits long.
  • Can’t be a repeated number (eg. 0000).
  • Can’t be consecutive numbers (eg. 1234).

If you can’t remember your security code, give us a call on 1555.

Manage your voicemail security settings.

By default, you’re only required to enter your voicemail security code when calling 0414 121 121 from another phone, not when calling 121 from your Vodafone phone.

You can add security code authorisation for calling 121 through the main menu of your voicemail. After playing any new and saved messages in your mailbox, you’ll go through to the main menu. To manage your security settings:

  • Press ‘3’ for personal preferences.
  • Press ‘3’ for login options.
  • Press ‘2’ for security code options.
  • Press ‘1’ to change your security code access.
  • Hang up, or press ‘*’ to return to the main menu.
Manage your voicemail time zone settings.

You can manage your voicemail time zone settings by calling 121, standard call rates apply. After playing any new and saved messages in your mailbox, you’ll go through to the main menu. To manage your time zone settings:

1. Press ‘3’ for personal preferences.

2. Press ‘4’ for time zone location settings.

3. Press ‘2’ to change your current time zone settings.

4. Choose from one of the following:

  • Press ‘1’ for NSW
  • Press ‘2’ for VIC
  • Press ‘3’ for QLD
  • Press ‘4’ for WA
  • Press ‘5’ for SA
  • Press ‘6’ for ACT
  • Press ‘7’ for NT
  • Press ‘8’ for TAS

5. Hang up, or press ‘*’ to return to the main menu.

Visual Voicemail for iPhone.

Visual Voicemail allows you to manage your voicemail mailbox directly from your iPhone. Using the ‘Phone’ widget on your iPhone, you can access your mailbox to play and delete your messages, return calls, and personalise your greetings.

To activate Visual Voicemail, dial 1217 from your iPhone and a recorded message will confirm it has been switched on.

When a message is left in your voicemail mailbox, you'll see a notification against the ‘Phone’ widget on your iPhone.

When you activate Visual Voicemail, your current personal greeting will carry over. To record a new greeting, tap ‘Greeting’ in the top left of the Visual Voicemail menu.

Additional information

What does voicemail cost?

Refer to the Critical Information Summary for your plan to see the cost of voicemail.

Can I use voicemail while on international roaming?

Yes. You can also access your voicemail by calling +61 414 121 121, however, your voicemail mailbox must be set up via 121 before you head overseas.

How do I change my voicemail notification method?

You can change your notification methods for voicemail using these short dialling codes.

Notification Call Description
SMS Alert 1218 When a voicemail is left, you'll be sent a text message to let you know. To listen to the message, dial 121 from your phone. SMS Alert is the default notification method when you first start using voicemail.
Visual Voicemail 1217 Visual Voicemail allows you to access your voicemail through the Phone widget in your iPhone. In the Phone widget, tap the 'Voicemail' tab in the bar menu at the bottom of your screen. 
How do I deactivate Visual Voicemail for iPhone?

To deactivate Visual Voicemail for iPhone, you can:

  • Dial 1218 to switch to SMS Alert voicemail notifications.
  • Dial 1210 to stop calls being diverted to voicemail when your phone isn’t answered, is unreachable or engaged.
How do I stop all my calls automatically diverting to voicemail?

If all incoming calls are automatically diverting to your voicemail, try dialling 1213 from your phone. This will prevent any incoming calls diverting to voicemail. To continue using voicemail, then dial 1211 to activate voicemail. This will divert calls to voicemail when your phone is switched off, unreachable or engaged.

If you’ve tried this and your incoming calls are still diverting to voicemail, there could be an issue with your network coverage. For more information, check out our network troubleshooting guide.

It could also be a problem with your device, contact your device manufacturer for support.

Why aren’t my received calls diverting to voicemail?

If your received calls aren’t diverting to voicemail, dial 1211 to reset your diversions. This will set up diversions to voicemail when your phone is switched off, out of coverage, engaged, or isn’t answered after 15 seconds.

If you’ve tried this and your calls and your received calls still aren’t diverting to voicemail, give us a call on 1555.

How do I unlock my voicemail account?

Your voicemail will be locked if the security code is entered 3 times incorrectly. If you're using an iPhone, you'll also be temporarily blocked from using Visual Voicemail. To unlock your voicemail, give us a call on 1555.

Do voicemail messages expire?

Yes. New voicemail messages and messages saved in your mailbox will expire after 7 days. If you need to keep a message, you can save it for a further 7 days. Once a message has expired it’s permanently erased and can’t be recovered.

Can I get back a voicemail message if it’s been deleted?

No. Once a voicemail message is deleted, it’s permanently erased and can’t be retrieved.

Can I receive voicemail messages before setting up my mailbox?

Voicemail will accept messages if you haven’t set up your mailbox yet. You’ll receive an SMS notification informing you that you have a new message, however, you’ll have to set up your mailbox by calling 121 before you can listen to the message.

Please note, you cannot complete your initial setup by calling 0414 121 121.

If I have both CALLwaiting and voicemail active, which greeting will be played to the second caller?

If you’ve activated CALLwaiting and you don't answer the second call, your standard or personal greeting will be played, not your busy greeting.

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