Bypassing outgoing voice message...
briwood4
Newbie

When callers get my outgoing voice message (VM) when I'm unavailable to answer a call, they can't just hit the "1" key to get to the beep and start leaving me a message.  What's up?  I can do this when I call some people (across all carriers) and I like to just get to leaving a message.  Is this a feature I need to enable on my phone (and my wife's and my daughter's, etc)?? 

Thanks.

Brian

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Re: Bypassing outgoing voice message...
luvmyiPhone
Newbie

I have been wondering the same thing as well.  It used to be you could just press 1 as soon as the outgoing started...but that belongs solely to Sprint now.  I tried to find out by opening Verizon Live Web Chat, but they had no idea what I was even talking about and then just wanted to sell me something.  So I did my own research.  With Verizon you press the * key, with Sprint press the 1 key, and T-Mobil and Cingular press the # key.  Here's a link to where I found the answers: http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/how-to-bypass-stupid-voicemail-instructions/#

I hope this helps!

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Re: Bypassing outgoing voice message...
briwood4
Newbie

Thanks very much for the follow-up. I tried it with my Verizon iPhone and

it still didn't work -- did it work for you? Which carrier are you using?

If it is working for you, I may be doing something else wrong. Let me

explain.

I did some research since posting that message and here's what I learned

from a visit with a Verizon store rep (I needed an accessory). For the

record, the first rep I asked had no idea about the issue, but when I asked

a second, he stated that it is because with the iPhone messaging,

apparently iTunes is somewhere in the process and it is a limitation they

have on the process. That really surprised (and still surprises) me as

you'd think Apple would be all over simplifying things for their customers

(at least in the user experience category!).

You just reminded me that I need to ping Apple about this and see what

happens. If I learn anything, I'll let you know.

Again, thanks.

Brian

On Tue, Apr 24, 2012 at 9:08 AM, luvmyiPhone

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Re: Bypassing outgoing voice message...
spaceduckie
Contributor - Level 1

It actually has nothing to do with itunes. The iphone uses a different voicemail platform than any of the other phones(not related to itunes), and that is just not a feature offered on that platform..

@briwood

If apple wanted to simplify things, they would get rid of the need to use iTunes or WiFi to activate the phone and allow it to activate like EVERY other CDMA phone on the network. it is the hardest phone to activate. troubleshooting the iPhone is one of the biggest pains out there, because the solution to 4/5 issues is a factory reset, and half the time the iTunes backup misses stuff.

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Re: Bypassing outgoing voice message...
spaceduckie
Contributor - Level 1

on a second note, what i can suggest as an alternate method to resolve the issue..

get a google voice number(google.com/voice), add it to your friends and family list, and use it instead for your voicemail, just put the corresponding app on your phone(works on iPhone, blackberry, and android). you then get visual voicemail, the ability to skip the message prompt, a visual transcript of your messages, the ability to forward them and save them. basically everything the iPhone's native voicemail doesn't support.(except the visual part)

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Re: Bypassing outgoing voice message...
luvmyiPhone
Newbie

Hi Brian,

After reading the article I called my best friend and tried it with her Verizon phone...and it worked.  I have since been using the * star key when having to leave a message for my boyfriend (also Verizon).  As soon as the outgoing message starts press the * key and you'll hear the beep to leave a message.  I have an iPhone 4 (not 4S) on Verizon. 

Good luck!

Carri

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Re: Bypassing outgoing voice message...
briwood4
Newbie

Thanks to each of you for responding --

luvmyiPhone<https://community.verizonwireless.com/people/luvmyiPhone>

(Carrie)

and Spaceduckie. Spaceduckie, you had it! Though it failed after reading

your post, after I read Carrie's success story, I went back and tried it

again working with my daughter, and indeed, it worked! I think I did

not press the * key long enough for it to engage the bypass, but when I did

this time, it worked, so you had it right with your the first reponse --

thanks! Carrie, glad it helped you and your friend, too.

Be well -- a successful effort!

Brian

On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 6:38 AM, luvmyiPhone

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Re: Bypassing outgoing voice message...
briwood4
Newbie

BTW, two additional bits of info for the discussion:

1. I had reached out to Verizon for an answer, and it took them longer to

respond than getting answers from you guys! In the end, however, the

message was the same, though note the reference to iTunes -- somehow it is

involved; so, at least we have Verizon confirmation (big whoop!), and

2. The other reason I'm adding their comment to this exchange is that they

offered a suggestion to me that I offer up as something we all should

remember to do, and that is to update our phones with the process they

describe (this one pertains to the roaming software), so see their

comment/instruction below:

"You can try pressing the * key to bypass the outgoing message. If this

does not work, as mentioned this may be a limitation with iTunes. If you

would like to contact Apple with any questions or concerns regarding this,

you can do so by dialing: 1-800-275-2273.

Additionally, our records also indicate that you may benefit from a free

update of your wireless phone's roaming software. As Verizon Wireless

continues to expand our network, it is important to update your software to

receive optimal coverage when traveling. We recommend that you perform

this update at least every 30 days or before leaving for a trip, as this

will give you the ability to pick up newly acquired service areas while

roaming.

To update your phone, please follow the instructions provided at the

link below:

http://search.vzw.com/?do=viewdoc&id=14597&supportview=1 "

It took all of about 30 seconds. Thanks, again.

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