If, when you receive an incoming call, instead of beeps, a voice message immediately sounds about the impossibility of answering, it means that the “Voicemail” service is activated on your Android smartphone from the MTS operator. This feature is often turned on automatically when you change your tariff plan or connect additional options, creating the effect of an answering machine. To return to normal call mode, you must simultaneously disable forwarding in the phone settings and deactivate the service itself on the MTS network side.
Ignoring incoming calls due to an erroneously enabled service can lead to the loss of important business contacts or missed emergency calls. The deactivation process does not require deep technical knowledge, however, the menu interface and combinations of numbers may vary depending on the gadget model and the current firmware version. In this material, we will analyze in detail all available methods, from quick USSD requests to deep configuration of system parameters.
Before taking radical measures, such as resetting network settings, you should try the simplest and fastest ways to disable it. The telecom operator provides several service control channels, each of which has its own advantages. Below we will describe step-by-step algorithms of actions that are guaranteed to help you regain control over incoming calls and remove the annoying greeting.
Disconnect via USSD commands and call the service number
The most efficient way to manage communication services is to use special digital combinations. For the network MTS there is a universal code that allows you to instantly deactivate the Voicemail service. You need to open the “Phone” application, go to dial the number and enter the sequence *110*10#, then press the call button. A notification about the successful completion of the request will appear on the screen.
If the combination did not work or you prefer the voice menu, you can call the short service number 0890. The call is free even with a negative balance, if the account has a minimum non-negative balance provided for by the terms of your tariff. After connecting, the robot will ask you to select the language of communication and type of service. Follow the prompts of the autoinformer, selecting the item related to disabling the answering machine or voice mail.
- 📞 Enter the code
*110*10#to instantly disable the standard service. - 🤖 Call
0890to control via the voice menu robot. - 📱 Use the number
0893to access the advanced settings of the voice assistant. - ⚙️ Check the status of the service through the command
*111*21#in the services menu.
It is important to consider that some tariff plans may have own features of service activation. In rare cases, the command may not be executed due to temporary technical work on the operator's side. If after entering the code you receive an error message, try rebooting the device and repeating the procedure after 5-10 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that you do not confuse disabling the service on the operator’s side with canceling forwarding on the phone. The USSD code disables the MTS service, but does not change the settings of your smartphone.
Setting forwarding in the Android menu
Often the problem lies not in the operator’s service itself, but in the settings of your smartphone. The system Android has a built-in call forwarding mechanism that can redirect calls to a voicemail number, even if the service on the SIM card is formally disabled. To check this, open the standard “Phone” application, click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or the menu button) and select Settings.
In the menu that opens, find the section responsible for calls. Depending on the version of the manufacturer’s shell (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, pure Android), this item may be called “Calls”, “Advanced settings” or “Forwarding”. You need to look for the option “When busy”, “When no answer” or “When unavailable”. If these fields contain a number other than yours or an empty line, it is this number that triggers the autoresponder.
To completely disable it, select each of the forwarding types in turn and press the button Disable or Voicemail -> Cancel. The system will send a request to the network to confirm the changes. Wait for a pop-up notification that the redirect has been successfully disabled. In some cases, the phone may ask you to confirm the action.
☑️ Checking forwarding settings
Interface settings may vary significantly on different devices. For example, on smartphones Samsung the path often lies through Settings -> Applications -> Phone -> Additional settings. On devices Xiaomi or Poco the required item may be hidden inside the menu of the SIM card itself in the “SIM Card Settings” section. Be careful when navigating the menu.
Service management through your personal account and application
The operator’s digital services provide a convenient visual interface for managing subscriptions. Logging into your personal account on the website MTS or through a proprietary application My MTS allows you to see the full list of connected options. This is especially useful if USSD codes for some reason do not work or you want to visually verify the status of the service.
After authorization by phone number, go to the “Services” or “My Subscriptions” section. Find the "Voicemail" or "Answering Machine" option in the list. Next to the name of the service there is usually a switch or button “Manage”. By clicking on it, you can change the service status to “Disabled”. Changes take effect almost instantly.
| Management method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Speed of action |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSD command | Works without Internet | You need to remember the code | Instantly |
| My MTS application | Visual interface | Requires Internet | 1-2 minutes |
| Call 0890 | Voice prompts | Long wait in the menu | 3-5 minutes |
| Android settings | Device control | Does not disable the service from the operator | Instantly |
The application also has a chat function with a virtual assistant. You can simply write the phrase “Turn off voicemail” into the chat, and the bot will offer a button to confirm the action. This is one of the easiest ways for those who do not want to understand complex menus.
If you often change communication settings, add the “My MTS” widget to the main screen of your smartphone for quick access to managing services without searching for the application icon.
Third-party answering applications
In addition to built-in network services, third-party applications from Google Play, which perform the function of an answering machine. Such apps are often used to record conversations or automatically answer calls with SMS messages. If you have previously installed similar utilities, they can intercept calls regardless of operator settings.
Check the list of installed applications for apps with names like “Auto Answer”, “Call Recorder”, “Answering Machine” or similar. Go to the settings of such an application and find the option to enable the automatic answer function. Usually there is a switch Enable Auto Answer or similar. Move it to Off or completely remove the application if you no longer need it.
It is also worth checking the permissions granted to applications. In the section Settings -> Applications -> Special access -> Call management look at which apps are allowed to work with telephony. If you see an unknown or unnecessary app, revoke its permission. This will prevent the app from automatically accepting or forwarding calls.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party answering machines may require permanent permissions to work in the background. Their presence can significantly speed up the drain of the smartphone battery.
Resetting call settings to factory settings
If manually disabling call forwarding does not bring results and the settings are constantly confused or blocked, you can use the function of resetting call settings. This operation will return all telephony settings to the “default” state that was when the device was first turned on or the last flashing. This is a safe procedure and will not delete your contacts or media files.
To perform a reset, go to the call settings menu, as described in the second section of the article. At the very bottom of the list of parameters there is often an item Reset settings or Restore default settings. Confirm the action in the pop-up window. The phone will send a command to the operator's server to clear all forwarding, busy and unavailable rules.
Settings -> Applications -> Phone -> Storage -> Clear dataAn alternative, deeper method is to clear the data of the Phone application itself. Go to Settings -> Applications, find the system application Phone (or Phone) in the list. Go to the section Storage and click Clear data. Don't be afraid, call history and contacts are usually stored in a separate database and are not deleted, but the interface and forwarding settings will be reset.
What happens when you reset call settings?
When you reset, all forwarding rules you have set (to another number, to voicemail) are deleted. Caller ID and spam blocking settings may also be reset if they were stored locally in the phone application. You will have to re-configure the blocking of incoming calls from unknown numbers if such a function has been used.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where all methods have been tried, but the answering machine continues to work. This may be due to the fact that the paid “Secretary” service or a similar service is activated on the number, which has priority over standard voicemail. In this case, you need to check the list of paid subscriptions in your personal account and disable them separately.
Another reason may be incorrect operation of the network in an area of poor reception. If your phone frequently loses signal, it may automatically route calls to voicemail when the status is Unavailable, even if you have disabled this option for the Busy status. In this case, only moving to an area of reliable reception or temporarily turning on airplane mode and then turning it off to re-register on the network helps.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to update the network settings.
- 📡 Check if the Do Not Disturb mode is activated in the Android system.
- 📞 Contact MTS support service at 0890 to manually check your profile.
- 🔋 Make sure your account balance is positive; some services are not disabled if you have a debt.
If the problem persists for a long time, you may need to replace the SIM card. Old SIM cards may not process modern service commands correctly. Visit the nearest operator's communication store with your passport to freely replace the carrier with a new one that supports current protocols.
An integrated approach (disabling the service from the operator + resetting the settings on the phone) guarantees a 100% solution to the problem with the answering machine in 99% of cases.
⚠️ Attention: Terms of service and tariff plans may change. Always check the latest information about the cost and availability of services in the operator's official application or on the website.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will there be a fee for disabling the answering machine?
The deactivation procedure itself Voicemail or forwarding services are free. However, if you have a paid version of the service (for example, Enhanced Voicemail), you may be charged until the end of the current billing period. Check the conditions of your tariff.
Why does the *110*10# code give an error?
The error may occur due to problems with the network signal, a negative balance (if the service is paid) or the incompatibility of the command with your current tariff plan. Try to disable the service through the My MTS application or call the operator.
Is it possible to set up an answering machine only for certain contacts?
The standard operator service does not allow you to select contacts for forwarding. However, in the Android settings of some models (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi) there is an “Answering Machine” function, which can work for all calls or only for selected ones, but this depends on the specific firmware version.
Does disabling the answering machine affect forwarding to another number?
No, these are different settings. Disabling voice mail removes forwarding to the operator's service number. If you have set up forwarding to another mobile number, it will remain active until you disable it separately in the call menu.
What should you do if, after disabling, the greeting appears again?
This may mean that the settings are saved on the operator's side in a cache. Try turning your phone off and on. If this does not help, perform a complete reset of call settings through the phone menu or contact technical support to force a profile update on the network.