Hi Everyone,
We’d like to take the time to talk about a great recent addition to iOS, Live Voicemail. Three supports this on any iPhones with iOS 18 onwards.
Live Voicemail gives you access to view and manage voicemail messages on your iPhone through real-time transcription of the voicemail - It shows who the messages are from, including the number, approximate location, date left, and length of the message. This means that you can read the message live while it’s being recorded and potentially decide to pick up the call.
If using a compatible device and software version, you will see this feature already enabled, as it does not require any set-up.
It’s a quick and easy way to manage your Live Voicemails on your iPhone, without dialling in to your voicemail service. It works using your data, so you can access this service whilst in the UK at no extra cost as long as you have coverage.
Using Live Voicemail
In the Phone app, Live Voicemail displays a list of your voicemail messages, allowing you to see details like the caller’s number, time of message, and message length. You can listen to, delete or manage these voicemails in any order without having to call your Voicemail box. Also the badge on the voicemail icon indicates the number of unheard messages.
The Live Voicemail service kick in around 17 seconds after your phone receives an incoming call. When you receive an incoming call and you want to send it to Live Voicemail, you can also tap the Voicemail button to send the call to Live Voicemail.
What happens when I’m roaming?
When roaming, calls will not automatically be sent to Live voicemail. The call will only be sent to Live Voicemail if you tap the Voicemail button. Sending incoming calls to the Live voicemail feature while abroad, will incur roaming charges unless you have sufficient data as part of your plan allowance.
For Go Roam* destinations, picking up live voicemail will come out of your UK allowance when you have an inclusive roaming pass, Go Roam pass add on, or have paid the daily Go Roam fee. However, if you go over this or do not have a roaming allowance you would be charged for Live Voicemail accessing your data allowance.
Can I disable Live Voicemail?
To disable Live Voicemail, open the settings app, select Apps and then tap Phone. Once there, tap Live Voicemail and then toggle the green switch to turn Live voicemail on or off.
Even when Live Voicemail is enabled, you can still access your Three Voicemail by pressing the “call” button at the top of the voicemail screen, or by dialing 123. Please note that this may incur additional charges when used abroad.
Will I still receive Live Voicemail if I have no internal storage free on my phone?
Unfortunately, Live voicemail is not received if your phone has no spare internal storage. Live voicemail will only be received when you have approx. 20GB of storage available.
Can I access Three Voicemail service and Live Voicemail?
Three Voicemail service will not capture and store messages in tandem with Live Voicemail.
- If Live voicemail is active this will kick in after approx. 17 seconds
- If Live voicemail is NOT switched on, calls will be diverted to 3UK network voicemail service and this kicks in after approx. 30 seconds
When you access your Live Voicemail interface on your iPhone, you will be presented with the option of accessing the 3UK network voicemail service in addition to messages that have been captured via the Live voicemail feature
We hope this new feature is a welcome addition for everyone using iPhones. Please let us know what you think in the comments below.
*You can use Go Roam in over 160 destinations. If you try to access Live voicemail outside of these countries, you will be charged. A fair use policy of 12GB per month applies. Go Roam Pass terms and conditions apply, see www.three.co.uk/go-roam
