How to use Apple Live Voicemail

Learn about Apple Live Voicemail and its features, including live transcriptions, compatible devices and networks and more.

Apple introduced Live Voicemail in iOS 17 in September 2023. Live Voicemail gives users the ability to see real-time transcription as someone leaves a voicemail, and the opportunity to pick up while the caller is leaving their message. It is a device feature and the transcription is handled on-device and remains entirely private.

When Live Voicemail is turned on, some customers may experience problems using their existing TELUS voicemail services.

The Apple Live Voicemail information given below applies to both TELUS Prepaid and Postpaid customers.

Difference between TELUS Voicemail and Apple Live Voicemail

Compatible devices

Mobile network coverage

Apple Live Voicemail only works when the iPhone is powered on and under mobile network coverage.

Pressing the voicemail icon on an incoming call while roaming will trigger Apple Live Voicemail to answer the call and will result in a pay-per-use roaming or Easy Roam charge.

Pressing the decline button or letting it ring out will send the caller to their TELUS voicemail without incurring any roaming charges.

Language support

Recorded personal greetings

Apple Live Voicemail does not support personal greeting. So, if you do not subscribe to Visual Voicemail, your caller will hear a standard Apple Live Voicemail greeting when calling, and the recorded personal greeting from your regular TELUS voicemail will not be heard by your caller as well.

If you have subscribed to Visual Voicemail, you can record your personal greeting in the Apple Visual Voicemail app. This recorded personal greeting will be heard by your caller whether your iPhone is powered on or off.

Tip
: If your recorded personal greeting is important to you, you may consider either turning off Apple Live Voicemail, or you may subscribe to Visual Voicemail
 to ensure your callers will always hear your personal greeting.