An answering machine on Android: how to set up in 5 minutes (works in 2026)

Are you tired of missing important calls when you can’t answer? Voice answering machine on Android is a simple solution that will save you from missed business offers, messages from family or reminders from colleagues. But many users do not even suspect that their smartphone can record and play voice messages automatically - without third-party applications.

In this article you will find current instructions for all popular brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, Huawei etc.), including the nuances of working on Android 10–14. We will look at how to set up a standard answering machine from the operator, activate the built-in function in the firmware, and even create a personal voice greeting. We’ll also tell you why sometimes the function doesn’t work and how to fix it.

What is an answering machine on Android and why do you need it

An answering machine on a smartphone is an analogue of office voice mail, but in a pocket format. When you can't answer the phone, the caller hears your recorded message (for example, "I can’t answer now, leave your message after the signal"), and after the tone they can record a response. All voice messages are saved in the phone memory or on the operator’s servers.

Main advantages:

• 📞 Don't miss important calls —even if the phone is low or out of coverage area (when using the operator's answering machine).
• 🔒 Privacy —you can set up a personal greeting for different contacts.
• 📥 Convenient storage —messages are saved in a special section (not mixed with SMS).
• 🌍 Works without the Internet —unlike messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.

There are two answering machines types: Android There are two types of answering machines:

1. Standard from the operator (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) - works via a SIM card, even if the phone is turned off.
2. Built-in firmware - phone function, requires the device to be turned on and network coverage.

How to check if your Android supports answering machine

Not all smartphones and plans support answering machine. Before setting up, make sure your device is compatible. Here 3 ways to check:

1. Checking through phone settings

• 📱 Open the application Phone (usually a green icon with a handset).
• 🔍 Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner → Settings.
• 🔎 Look for items like Voicemail, Answering machine or Additional services.

2. Verification via USSD command

Dial on your phone keyboard:

*#61#

If a response appears with a forwarding number (for example, +79991234567), it means that the function is supported by the operator. If you see The service is not active - contact support.

3. Check by phone model

Brand	Answering machine support	Notes
Samsung	✅ Yes (starting from Android 9)	In the menu Phone settings → Additional services
Xiaomi (Redmi, POCO)	✅ Yes (on MIUI 12 and later)	Requires activation through the app Security
Google Pixel	✅ Yes (all models)	Integrated into Google Phone
Huawei / Honor	⚠️ Partially (depending on the firmware)	May be absent on new models (EMUI 13+)
Realme / Oppo	❌ No (only through the operator)	Use MTS/Beeline answering machine

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with two SIM cards the answering machine can only work on one of them (usually SIM1). Check the settings of each card separately.

How to enable answering machine on Android: step-by-step guide

The setup method depends on yours operator i phone firmware. Below are universal instructions for the most popular cases.

Method 1: Through the standard “Phone” application (for Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus)

Step 1. Open the application Phone → click on the three dots (⋮) → Settings.

Step 2. Select Voicemail or Answering machine (on Samsung may be called Additional services).

Step 3. Click Activate or Enable. The system will offer to record a greeting - follow the prompts.

Mobile network is on (not Airplane mode)

SIM card supports the service (check via *#61#)

The phone has enough memory to record messages

The microphone is not muted (check in Settings → Sound)

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Step 4. After activation:

• 🎤 Record a personal greeting (or leave a standard one).
• ⏱️ Set the wait time before forwarding (usually 15-30 seconds).
• 🔔 Turn on notifications for new voicemails messages.

Method 2: Through USSD commands (for all operators)

If there is no answering machine option in your phone settings, try activating it through operator codes:

Operator	Command for activation	Command for verification
MTS	*111*234#	*111*235#
Beeline	*110*321#	*110*320#
MegaFon	*130*1#	*130*0#
Tele2	*155*2*1#	*155*2*2#

After dialing the code, follow the voice instructions. Typically you need to:

1. Confirm activation (click 1).
2. Record a personal greeting (or leave a standard one).
3. Set a PIN code to access messages (often by default 0000 or 1234).

⚠️ Attention: Answering service from operators often paid (from 1 to 5 rubles per day). Before activation, check the rates on the operator's website or through the team *100#.

Method 3: On Xiaomi (MIUI)

On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO the answering machine is hidden in the application Security:

1. Open Security → Block and clearing.
2. Select Answering machine (or Voicemail).
3. Activate the function and configure the settings.

How to record a personal greeting

A standard message like "Subscriber is temporarily unavailable" sounds impersonal individual greeting - this will increase the trust of callers and reduce the amount of spam.

Instructions for recording:

1. Open the answering machine settings (see the previous section).
2. Select Record a greeting or Change voice message.
3. Click Recording and say the text (examples below).
4. Listen to the recording and save if everything is clear.

Examples of texts for greetings:

• 💼 For work: "Hello, you called [Your name]. I'm currently at a meeting/at business trip. Leave your message after the signal, and I will call you back within an hour."
• 👨‍👩‍👧 For personal contacts: "Hi! I can't answer, but if it's urgent, leave a message, I'll call you back."
• 🚗 For drivers: "I'm driving. If it's important, leave a voice message - I'll listen at the bus stop."

Tips for high-quality recording:

• 🎙️ Speak clearly, without haste (the optimal duration is 5–10 seconds).
• 🏠 Record in a quiet room (without echo or extraneous noise).
• 📱 Keep the phone at a distance of 15–20 cm from mouth.
• 🔄 Listen to the recording before saving - sometimes the microphone distorts the voice.

What to do if the recording sounds quiet or noisy?

If your greeting is quiet or noisy:

1. Check whether the microphone is covered with a case or your finger.

2. Clean the microphone hole (use a soft brush or compressed air).

3. Try recording a message through headphones with a microphone (they often provide better quality).

4. On some phones (for example Samsung Galaxy S23) in the microphone settings you can enable Noise reduction (Settings → Sound → Sound quality).

How to listen to and manage voice messages

After setting up the answering machine, all messages recorded by callers will be saved in a special section. Here how to find and manage them:

On Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus phones

1. Open the application Phone.
2. Click on the three dots (⋮) → Voicemail.
3. You will see a list of messages with the date, time and caller number.
4. Tap on the message to listen. Additional options:
   • 📞 Call back —quickly contact the subscriber.
   • 🗑️ Delete —clear unnecessary entries.
   • 🔄 Repeat —listen again.

On Xiaomi (MIUI)

Messages are stored in the application Security:

1. Open Security → Answering machine.
2. Go to the tab History.
3. For each message, options for listening, deleting and adding the number to contacts are available.

Via USSD commands (if messages are stored by the operator)

Dial:

*100*123#

Where 123 is your voicemail number (check it via *#61#). Next, follow the voice instructions to listen.

How to export messages:

• On most phones, you can save the recording in the format .mp3 or .amr (in the message menu, look for Save or Share).
• For backup, use Google Drive or send files to your email.

⚠️ Attention: Messages stored by the operator (not on phone), can automatically deleted in 7-30 days. Download important records on time!

Why the answering machine does not work and how to fix it

Sometimes the answering machine refuses to turn on or does not record messages. Here are The most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Answering machine is not activated	The service is not connected to the operator	Call the hotline or check via *111#
Calls are not forwarded	Conflict with blocking applications (for example, Truecaller)	Disable the blocker during the test
Messages are not saved	The memory on the phone has run out	Clear the cache or transfer files to a memory card
Poor recording quality	The microphone is dirty or there is interference	Clean the microphone, record in a quiet place
The function disappeared after updates	Changes in firmware (for example, on Huawei after EMUI 13)	Use the operator's answering machine

Additional checks:

• 📶 Make sure that mobile network is turned on (not only Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone - sometimes it helps to reset temporary errors.
• 📱 Check if the phone is in power saving mode (it can block background processes).
• 🔧 Update the phone firmware (Settings → Software update).
💡

If the answering machine stopped working after resetting the phone to factory settings, you need to configure it again - all parameters are reset.

Alternatives to the standard answering machine: the best applications

If the built-in function is not satisfactory (for example, there is no personalization or poor recording quality), try third party applicationsThey offer advanced features:

• 🎨 Customization of greetings for different contacts.
• 📊 Call statistics (how many were missed, who called more often).
• ☁️ Cloud storage messages.
• 🔒 Access password records.

Top 3 applications for answering machine:

Application	Features	Cons
Google Voice	Free, integration with Google account, transcription of voice messages into text	Only works with US numbers (requires VPN to register)
HulloMail	Personal greetings, cloud storage, new message notifications	Paid subscription after trial period
YouMail	Anti-spam protection, voice commands, unlimited storage	Advertising in the free version

How to set up HulloMail (step by step):

1. Download the application from Google Play.
2. Register (phone number confirmation will be required).
3. Enable call forwarding:
   • Dial **21*[number from HulloMail]# (the number will be in the application instructions).
   • Confirm by pressing call.

Record a greeting in the menu Settings → Greeting.

⚠️ Attention: When using third-party answering machines disable the standard function in phone settings to avoid conflicts.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the answering machine on Android

🔹 Is it possible to set up an answering machine on two SIM cards?

On most phones, the answering machine only works on one SIM card (usually SIM1). To activate it on the second card, you need to:

1. Insert SIM2 into the SIM1 slot (if the phone supports hot swapping).
2. Or use the operator's answering machine via USSD commands (see table above).

On some models Samsung (for example Galaxy S22 Ultra), you can set up separate answering machines for each SIM in the menu Settings → Additional services.

🔹 How much does an answering machine cost for operators in 2026?

Tariffs may vary depending on the region and tariff plan. Current prices:

• MTS: 3 rubles/day (free for subscribers of the "Ultra" and "Premium" tariffs).
• Beeline: 2 rubles/day (included in the "Everything is simple" and "Unlimited" tariffs).
• MegaFon: 1 ruble/day (free for "All Inclusive").
• Tele2: 5 rubles/day (free for "My Tele2").

Check the tariffs through the command *100# or on the operator’s website.

🔹 How to disable the answering machine if it is no longer needed?

Disconnection methods:

• 📱 Through phone settings: Phone → Settings → Voicemail → Disable.
• 📞 Via USSD command:
  • MTS: *111*234*0#
  • Beeline: *110*321*0#
  • MegaFon: *130*1*0#
• 💬 Through the operator: Call the hotline (for example, 0890 for Beeline) and ask to disable the service.

🔹 Is it possible to listen to voice messages from another phone?

Yes, if the messages are stored from the operator (not on the phone). To do this:

1. From another phone, dial your voicemail number (check it via *#61#).
2. After the greeting, enter the PIN code (by default 0000, 1234 or the last 4 digits of your number).
3. Follow the voice instructions to listen.

If messages are stored on your phone, transfer them to the cloud (for example, Google Disk) or send them to your email.

🔹 Why do callers hear “The subscriber is temporarily unavailable” instead of my greeting?

This problem occurs in three cases:

1. Personal greeting was not recorded. Check your answering machine settings and add your entry.
2. The operator has reset the settings. Sometimes after updates or tariff changes, the greeting is reset. Rewrite it.
3. The phone is in Airplane mode or turned off. In this case, the operator’s standard message is triggered. For callers to hear your greeting, the phone must be turned on and receiving the network.

If the problem persists, call the operator's hotline and ask to check the call forwarding settings to voicemail.