can't listen to visual VM unless on speaker

[sisandi614]

For the last several weeks when I try to listen to a visual voicemail, as soon as I put the phone up to my ear to hear it the app shuts down. So the only way I can hear the VMs is to put the phone on speaker (which obv is annoying).  Any ideas?

[rcschnoor]

Are you using the Verizon Visual Voice Mail which has a monthly charge? If so, you may want to try Google Voice for Voicemail. There is no charge and it is a visual voicemail app.

[sisandi614]

Thanks for answering!  I am using Verizon Visual VM.  I'm a little confused about Google Voice.  If I port my number to Google Voice, do I lose my existing VZ phone number?  I've been reading all of their articles to try to understand but don't.  I'd love the full features rather than the lite version.  Do people still call my existing phone number, or do I have to tell people about the new phone number? 

[rcschnoor]

You don't have to port your number to Google Voice. You can sign up for a Google Voice # and use it solely for voicemail.

You can follow THESE steps to do so.

People would still call your existing number.

[rcschnoor · Accepted solution]

You can also try an app from the Play Store called YouMail which is also a free Visual VM service.

[sisandi614]

Thanks!  Working on Google Voice now.  I tried YouMail last year and did NOT like it.  Voice quality was very poor.  Perhaps they have improved it.