Turning off voice mail?

[Russ-n-the-Woods]

I will be out of cellular service for up to 6-days twice in the next couple of months. How can I prevent ANY caller from automatically going to voicemail? Currently getting a dozen or more SPAMMERS calling me. In call screening, selecting "NEVER" really prevents unknown callers getting to voicemail?

 

[MacCheetah3]

Even though we do have some options on our smartphones, voicemail is primarily managed by the telecom (i.e., wireless carrier).

In Europe, for example, it can be as simple as a dialing code or text message.

Check and Use Mobile Voicemail | Mobile Help | EE

Find out about how to use voicemail on EE mobile devices. Whether you're setting up voicemail for the first time or want to secure your inbox, we’ll help you get started.

ee.co.uk

How to Turn Off O2 Voicemail (3 Working Methods)

Whether you're avoiding the cost of calling to hear your voicemail or spam callers, turning off your answerphone feature with O2 is completely possible. It answers any calls you miss, but you might end up paying extra if you have to keep...

www.wikihow.com

Voicemail 901: Your O2 voicemail

Voicemail 901 is your answerphone service – available to all O2 customers. Learn how to check for messages, change your PIN and using your voicemail abroad.

www.o2.co.uk

In the States… Well… Your main err only practical option is utilizing call forwarding.

Turn Off Voicemail

Learn how to turn off your voicemail temporarily or permanently.

www.att.com

Same goes for both Verizon and T-Mobile.

Basically, you need to contact your carrier for options, if really any.

 

[Bichon]

@MacCheetah3 has already given you a comprehensive answer to your question about turning off voicemail; my comment is directed at reducing the number of spam calls you receive. I'd strongly recommend seeing what apps and tools your cellular carrier provides. I use AT&T Active Armor, T-Mobile has Scam Shield, Verizon has their Call Filter app. I can configure the app to either block suspected fraud and/or spam calls, or send them to voicemail. In my experience it doesn't catch them all, but it does stop most of them.

 

[Russ-n-the-Woods]

Thanks to you both for the suggestions. You pretty much Confirmed what I suspected.
I will explore turning off voice mail with ATT.
I tried Robocall in the past but that was useless and I suspect just a scam to earn overpriced subscription fees.
Had great expectations for "Call Screening" feature with iPhone OS26 but it is worse than useless in handling repeating spammer calling. Maybe it will improve with time.
Thanks again for your help.
R

 

[Russ-n-the-Woods]

Just a BTW. Call Forwarding applies to all calls and only if you have another number to forward to.
I have no problem with known callers reaching my voicemail its the ****SPAMMERS I wish to block. Maybe someday perhaps around iOS-50 or so.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Just a BTW. Call Forwarding applies to all calls and only if you have another number to forward to.

As a reminder, I never said it was a solution, or a good one anyway. I simply pointed out that’s what the US carriers are opting as the solution. From the AT&T page I linked previously:

Turn voicemail on and off
To prevent your calls from going to voicemail temporarily, change your Call Forwarding settings.

Otherwise, it’s contacting their support services to have the feature removed, entirely disabled. Which, I guess, you might be able to call before traveling, have them remove voicemail, then contact them upon return to add it back in, re-setup, etc. However, I didn’t suggest that earlier because, quite frankly, it seems like a giant pain.

Maybe someday perhaps around iOS-50 or so.

Part of the problem is the feature is primarily controlled by the carrier, not Apple (or other smartphone manufacturers). Indeed, Apple has leverage to influence such a feature, but it’s ultimately at the telecom’s end. Hence why, for the carriers that allow it, you manage such features via their app, website/portal, SMS, or dialing codes.

I have no problem with known callers reaching my voicemail its the ****SPAMMERS I wish to block.

I’m there with you. In the past year or so, I started logging phone numbers and have recorded more than 1,000. By the way, that’s not the number of calls; that’s the number of unique phone numbers, which I have blocked since logging. Unfortunately and frustratingly, in the U.S., you’re practically powerless, including via litigation.

Anyway… The call screening feature has helped in my case, surprisingly.

Screen and block calls on iPhone

In Phone on iPhone, avoid unwanted calls by blocking specific numbers, screening calls, and sending unknown and spam callers directly to voicemail.

support.apple.com

I’ve been using the...

• Ask Reason for Calling: Calls from unknown numbers will be asked for more information before iPhone rings.

But beware, it can be risky if you’re expecting an important call (e.g., doctor’s office/clinic).

Nonetheless, with that enabled, I haven’t had spammers ring through, just show up in recents as missed calls — which then I block as usual. YMMV, of course.