Voicemail
Voicemail is a service that records and stores incoming calls when you aren’t available to answer. Below, we’ll explain how the service works for both cell phones and home phones, how to listen to your messages, and what to do if you need to deactivate the service.
How do you access mobile voicemail?
When you purchase a cell phone from a carrier, voicemail is typically pre-activated on your account. If you’ve brought your own phone or activated an eSIM from another source, the system should automatically configure your voicemail, though you may still need to perform a manual setup in some cases. We recommend checking your carrier’s website or app for specific activation steps.
Once the service is active, you will need to record a personal greeting and set a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for security. You can usually access your mailbox by pressing and holding “1” on your phone’s keypad or by dialing your own 10-digit number. An automated menu will guide you through your options.
Please note! Accessing voicemail while in Canada is typically included in most monthly plans. However, if you are on a prepaid plan or have exceeded your minutes, standard airtime charges may apply. While there is never a fee for a caller to leave a message, data charges may apply for Visual Voicemail.
Secure your voicemail with a PIN
Carriers strongly recommend protecting your mailbox with a PIN. This prevents unauthorized access and is usually required if you want to check your messages from a different phone or while traveling outside of Canada.
Most systems come with a default PIN (like the last four digits of your number), but for security reasons, you should change this immediately.
How to change your PIN
- Call your voicemail system (usually by holding “1”).
- Select the option for Administrative Options or Setup Options
- Choose the option to Change PIN or Change Password
- Enter your new code and press #.
- Re-enter the code to confirm.
Security tips
- Most Canadian carriers require a PIN of 4 to 15 digits.
- Avoid easy-to-guess combinations like 1234 or 1111.
- Do not use parts of your phone number or your date of birth.
- Update your PIN regularly and keep it private.
Can you listen to messages from another phone?
Yes. To access your voicemail from a different phone, dial your 10-digit mobile number. When the greeting begins, press * or # (depending on your carrier), then enter your PIN when prompted.
Can you forward calls to voicemail?
Yes, you can forward (or “divert”) calls to your voicemail. The steps depend on your phone’s operating system (iOS or Android). Usually, this is found under Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. If you’re unsure, your carrier’s support team can help you set this up.
Is call-back included in mobile voicemail?
Many Canadian carriers offer a call-back feature within the voicemail menu, allowing you to return a call immediately after listening to a message. Be aware that if you use this feature, it counts as an outgoing call and will use your plan’s minutes or incur long-distance charges if the number is outside your local calling area.
When should you turn off mobile voicemail?
If you’re traveling outside of Canada or the U.S., it can be useful to temporarily switch off your voicemail to avoid unexpected roaming fees. While receiving a voicemail is typically free, being charged for the “forwarding” of a call to the mailbox while roaming in certain international destinations can incur costs at standard international rates.
We recommend checking your carrier’s international roaming page for details on potential costs.
How do you turn off mobile voicemail?
The process for deactivating voicemail depends on your carrier. With some providers, you can deactivate the service through your online account or mobile app. Others may require you to call customer service or send a specific text command. If you have any trouble, your carrier can assist you in turning off the feature.
Using voicemail abroad: How to check your messages
- Ensure you have a PIN: You must set this up before leaving Canada.
- Dial your number: Dial +1 followed by your 10-digit mobile number.
- Interrupt the greeting: Press * or # during your greeting.
- Enter PIN: Enter your PIN followed by #.
Most Canadians use daily roaming passes (typically ranging from $12 to $16/day depending on the destination). If you check your voicemail, it will trigger that daily fee. If you are not using a roaming pass, you will be charged the standard international per-minute rate. You are generally not charged for receiving a voicemail while abroad if your phone is off or the call isn’t answered.
How does Visual Voicemail work?
Visual Voicemail is the modern standard for managing messages. Instead of calling a number and listening to a voice menu, your messages appear in a list directly in your phone’s dialer app. You can see who called, read a text transcription of the message, and play, pause, or delete them in any order.
- Technology: Visual Voicemail uses cellular data rather than airtime minutes. In 2026, this service is typically included in most 5G “unlimited” or “infinite” plans offered by Canadian carriers. Note that while the service is usually free within Canada, using it while roaming internationally will consume data and may trigger daily roaming fees.
- Device Support: Visual Voicemail is now a native feature on virtually all smartphones in use, including all modern iPhones and flagship Android devices (such as the Samsung Galaxy S-series and Google Pixel).
- Transcription: Most Canadian carriers now include Voicemail-to-Text as part of the visual experience, allowing you to read your messages in quiet environments. In 2026, these AI-driven transcriptions have become highly accurate and are often the default way to screen messages.
Activate Visual Voicemail on iPhone
- Ensure Cellular Data is turned on (setup requires a carrier connection, not just Wi-Fi).
- Open the phone app and tap the Voicemail tab.
- Tap Set Up Now and follow the prompts to create your password and greeting.
Activate Visual Voicemail on Android
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap More (three dots) > Settings > Voicemail.
- Toggle on Visual Voicemail.
If you don’t see the Visual Voicemail option on your phone, ensure your carrier plan supports it. Some “Prepaid” or “Starter” plans in Canada may still require a small monthly add-on for this feature.
How does voicemail work for home phone services?
Voicemail for home phones (often called “Call Answer” in Canada) works a bit differently than mobile services. Depending on your home phone bundle or 5G/fiber-based home phone package, voicemail may be included for free, or you may need to pay a small monthly fee to access it.
It is important to note that some home security systems or medical alerts are not compatible with voicemail services, as the “stutter” dial tone used to signal a new message can interfere with the system’s ability to call out. We recommend double-checking with your alarm provider and your phone company to ensure everything is compatible.
What’s included with voicemail for home phones?
While features vary by provider, most Canadian home voicemail services allow you to record a personalized greeting and store up to 20 messages. Many Canadians now pair their voicemail with Call Control features. This requires unknown callers to enter a random digit before the call connects, effectively stopping robocalls from filling up your voicemail inbox with automated messages.
Can you access your voicemail when you’re away from home?
Yes, you can typically listen to your home phone messages even when you’re on the go. To do this, you usually dial your home number from another phone and interrupt the greeting by pressing a specific key (usually *), followed by your PIN. Some modern carriers also allow you to link your home phone to a mobile app or web portal, letting you manage your landline messages directly from your smartphone.
