Voicemail ultimate guide:
How to set up and manage

Voicemail is a convenient and flexible tool that keeps you connected even if you have no coverage, have switched your phone off, or simply don’t want to answer. It allows you listen and respond whenever you want. 

How to set up voicemail

Voicemail is automatically available to all Three customers and can simply be accessed by calling 171 from your mobile. Anytime there’s a new voicemail message, you’ll be alerted by SMS.

How to change your voicemail greeting

Your voicemail is automatically set up with a generic greeting. However, you have the option to personalise it by recording your own personal greeting.

To personalise your greeting:

1. Call 171 from your Three phone.
2. Press 2 in the main menu for greetings.
3. In the greetings menu, press:
   • 1 to record a personal greeting.
   • 2 to set a standard greeting.
   • 3 to set a standard greeting with your name.
   • 4 to go back to the main menu.
4. Once you're happy with your new greeting, save it.

How to listen to and use voicemail

There are two ways to listen to your voicemail messages.1 to record a personal greeting.

• Option 1: Click on the link in the voicemail alert SMS.
• Option 2: Call 171 from your Three phone and press 1 to hear your voicemail messages.

Alternatively, you can access voicemail through your phones setting.

Check voicemail on an Apple device

1. Open the phone app.
2. Open the menu at the top right of the screen. 
3. Select voicemail from the menu and you’ll be connected to your voicemail.

Check voicemail on an Android device

1. Open the phone app.
2. Open the kepad.
3. Press and hold the number 1 and you’ll connect to your voicemail.

Things to know about voicemail messages

• Messages are played in reverse chronological order, with the newest played first. The date and time of the message will play after the message is listened to and not before.
• Unheard messages are played first.
• Messages that have been listened to are deleted after 7 days. Unheard messages are deleted after 14 days.
• Messages cannot exceed 45 seconds. 

How to turn off voicemail

If you no longer want to offer the option for people to leave you voicemails, don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Just dial ##002# on your phone’s keypad. To switch them back on again, just dial ##21#.

How to use call return on voicemail 

While listening to your voicemail messages, you can use your phone’s keypad to return the call, reply, skip, and delete. See the call listen control options below.

• Call 171, select option 1
• Return a Call (Bill Pay Only) Press 1
• Replay a message Press 2
• Skip a message Press 3 
• Save message Press 4
• Delete a message Press 5
• Hear caller's number Press 6

Voicemail not working? How to fix it

We all know technology sometimes doesn’t behave as we want it to. To help with this we’ve put together the most common questions we see from customers.

Not receiving voicemail notifications

If you’re not receiving notifications alerting you to new voicemails, please try the following;

• Reboot your phone, by switching it off and on
• Dial 171 and make sure that your inbox is not full

If after trying these, you’re still not receiving notifications please reach out and chat to our messaging team.

Voicemail mailbox is full

If your voicemail inbox is full, access your inbox and delete any voicemails that you no longer need. To delete a voicemail: 

1. Call 171.
2. Select option 1.
3. Listen through your voicemails and press 5 to delete any which are no longer needed.

Can't access voicemail

If you’re having difficulty accessing your voicemail because you’ve forgotten your PIN code, don’t worry. If you try to enter the incorrect PIN code three times, you’ll be sent a new password by text. 

Voicemail delayed

If you suspect that there’s a delay before you receive your voicemail notifications, please try the following;

1. Reboot your phone, by switching it off and on.
2. Ensure that you’re in an area with coverage

If after this, you’re still experiencing a delay in receiving your voicemail notifications, please take a look at our device guide for support or reach out to our messaging team.

Listening to voicemail when roaming

• Dial your mobile number with a 5 after the prefix from a landline or another mobile to access your voicemail. Remember to use the +353 prefix when dialling from abroad. For example, if your number is 086 1234567 you would dial +353 86 51234567. Once the voicemail service starts, press * and you will be asked for your PIN to access your voicemail.
• You may be charged more than usual to call your voicemail when you are abroad. You may also be charged if someone leaves you a message.