Forum Discussion
Android Native Visual Voicemail Trouble
I'm using a Pixel2XL on T-Mobile and the native Visual Voicemail (built into the Google Phone app) will not activate. The VM tab hace show, and I have the option checked in the menu settings for the Phone app. I continue to get the messages "Visual Voicemail Activating" and "Can't activate Visual Voicemail". I have VVM on my plan via the ONE Plus add-on.
I have removed the T-Mobile VVM app as I know that it will deactivate the native VVM. I have reset network settings, restarted the phone, and spoken with both T-Mobile and Google. I have yet to be given a reason this is not working.
(Note: brought the phone over from Verizon but it's unlocked - all other data and voice functionality is good)
UPDATED 7/13/2021:
For folks wondering if their Native VVM app will work on T-Mobile's network, here's some helpful info. The native VVM app on Non-T-Mobile devices isn't something T-Mobile can guarantee will work with the VVM service. This goes for other native apps as well. We recommend folks download T-Mobile Visual Voicemail app I've linked below and use the VVM service through that app. The second link I posted below is for troubleshooting if you happen to run into any issues.
We have a couple articles that can help with this. Check out the two links below in relationship to the issue.
App de Correo de voz visual de T-Mobile
Solución de problemas del correo de voz
carrierlost wrote:
@tangerine That isn't correct. Android native VVM should be working just fine at the moment. Once all the profiles were set up correctly, most people were able to connect and use the native VVM without issue. To my knowledge, it hasn't quit since it started working.
It does work but only on certain devices. Devices that used to have the native VVM working no longer work with the native VVM. I've had two such devices that used to work fine with native VVM that no longer work.
(Un)Fortunately mine is still working on my Pixel3, so I can't really tell whether or not it's a broken T-Mobile function again. Earlier in this thread I posted instructions on grabbing logs from an android. If you read back through my posts, you should be able to pull the logs from your phone and verify if it's the same issue it was previously, or if you're getting a new error message that may help narrow down the issue.
If it broke after a security upgrade, they may have changed the VVM code, so you'll (hopefully) see a new error message that can point you in the right direction.
@carrierlost Same error here. It was working when I was on prepaid but not after I went T-Mobile ONE.
Either get another carrier or put up with this. No support or sympathy from Motorola or T-Mobile.
I was having the same issue on my Pixel 3 and this is what I did to fix the issue.
I uninstalled the T-Mobile visual voicemail app. Then I went into the voicemail settings of the stock phone dialer. I deactivated it trying to activate VVM and then I enabled it. Visual voicemail enabled immediately and the tab appeared on the phone dialer. It then activated correctly
Essential stock Android Pie/9.
Others (all phone) are having the same problem where the VM *does not* work properly after uninstalling TM VVM.
https://support.t-mobile.com/message/687644?et=watches.email.thread#687644
Just tried again, and after uninstalling TM VVM and reenabled VVM in the stock dialer - we are all getting this error:
"Visual voicemail isn't working
Call voicemail to finish setting it up"
(and of course there's no "set up" section in the VM that impacts this)
I tried the App and decided it did not work for me. After uninstalling it I have been unable to get visual voicemail back on my android (Essential) phone. Same messages as yours.
I'm having the same issue on my BlackBerry Key2. I've used the same SIM for my past few devices and even when using it on my current device the native vvm worked. I accidentally toggled visual voicemail off in the phone app settings back around June and since then cannot get it to enable. It's so frustrating. The tmobile app is slow and I don't want to open another app just to check voicemail. Should all be done right from the phone app. I liked mobile when I first switch a few years ago from Verizon, but they seem to be slowly disabling features. Wi-Fi calling stopped and not vvm. ( wifi calling worked perfect on my key2 out of the box, then future updates disabled it).
Dear T-Mobile: It is very frustrating that this issue is being reported for so long without a solution. Being a stock Android user, it is not hard to switch to a carrier that works properly. I sincerely hope T-mobile will take care of this soon?
tmo_amanda wrote:
Absolutely, @magenta6815496! I'm currently working with a few people on the multiple voicemail issues that have popped up around the Support Community. When I have answers to the VVM issues, I will most definitely update this thread.
How's the solution coming along? Any updates to report?
Its sad that these asshats don't know their own network.
here is the fix
Download the T Mobile visual voicemail app
let it install and authenticate your phone, ( log in and listen to a voicemail with it)
uninstall it the TMO VV app
then go into the native android phone app and go into settings, and turn on visual voicemail.
(on one of my phones this last step was necessary, and on the other as soon as i uninstalled TMO VV app it just worked on my phone)
TMO apparently fails in the phone authentication without using their own app, I have had to do the after every major OS jump (Android 8-9-10) but not during incremental updates
