Why is voicemail delayed?

I just got my first smartphone, an iPhone 6, and i am not getting voicemail notifications until days later. I see a notification that i missed a call soon after the call but almost always, no voicemail shows up until several days later. This is really unacceptable service. I went to a Verizon store to ask about it and they were not able to provide any answers - they only made a note of the problem in my account file. The issue continues to come up. For example, just today (Feb 4th) I received a voicemail from January 30th as well as another from 2 days ago. Does anyone have any solution to this problem? I see that it is a common issue but no answers are provided.

Accepted answers

Verizon_Support

@duc618

I understand the importance of receiving voice mail notifications in a timely manner and I would love to help!

Are you connected to WiFi when this problem occurs? Check to ensure Cellular Data is enabled for the Voice Mail application on your device: http://vz.to/1rVpwaY. The voice mail service requires a cellular data connection. Please keep me posted. Thanks!

AnthonyTa_VZW

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All comments

Verizon_Support

duc618

Yeah I'm usually connected to wifi. So does this mean that I can't get voicemail if I'm at home or work and connected to wifi as I usually am when at these places? I was able to get voicemail anywhere with the flip phone that I just got rid of and that never used any cellular data...

Verizon_Support

duc618,

We truly want you to be able to receive your voicemails in a timely manner. You can still receive voicemails when connected to wifi as long as your cellular data is still on. Since the iPhone use visual voicemail and runs on a different voicemail system then basic phones it does require a data connection to receive the voicemails. What software is your iPhone 6 running on? Settings>General>About. Do you have issues with any other services on the device such as text/iMessage or data connections?

LindseyT_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

duc618

Thanks for the info. I'm running 8.1.3. I was having problems with iMessage hanging up but the store rep was able to figure it out and it has been working so far. Everything else seems to be working ok. I just don't trust the voicemail. I made sure that cellular data was turned on yesterday while on my home wifi and a few old messages appeared but it still took several hours after turning on cell data for that to happen.

sunnyjay

I am having the same problem with my iPhone 5c. I too just ventured into the 'smart phone' world and am less than pleased with the notifications for voice mail, and voice mails waiting, compared to the convenient reminders on my old LG "dumb" phone. I had been leaving the cellular data off to save on usage, since that is the only 'metered' usage I have with my plan, and finding WiFi working acceptably for apps, etc. Does it use much data for the voice mail function?

Also, I have had some missed calls where the ring was on, and phone with me but no ring sounded. Is this also because I had the cellular data off? Is cellular data required to be on to hear the ring for an incoming call if I am connected to WiFi too? If so, how much data is used?