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Set Up Voicemail

Voicemail is enabled per-extension. Once on, callers reach a mailbox via the extension's Voicemail destination, the user retrieves messages via *97/*98, and (optionally) gets emailed copies of each message.

Before You Start

  • The extension exists.
  • The user has an email address (for VM-to-email).
  • SMTP is configured on the host (see System Admin → Sysadmin → Email Setup).

Enable VM on an extension

  1. Go to User Attributes → Extensions → click the extension.
  2. Open the Voicemail tab.
  3. Configure:
    • Enabled — Yes.
    • Voicemail Password — 4-6 digits PIN.
    • Email Address — for VM-to-email.
    • Pager Email Address — short SMS-style notification (separate from full email with attachment).
    • Email Attachment — Yes to attach the .wav.
    • Play CID — Yes plays caller ID at the start of the message.
    • Play Envelope — Yes plays date/time at the start.
    • Delete Voicemail — Yes deletes from the mailbox after emailing (recommended if attaching, otherwise you fill the disk).
    • Voicemail Greeting — leave at default; users record their own greetings via the phone.
    • Mailbox — auto-set to the extension number.
    • VM Options / VM Context — usually defaults.
  4. Click Submit.
  5. Click Apply Config.

Configure global voicemail behavior

For settings that apply to ALL mailboxes (timeouts, max messages, recording quality):

  1. Go to System Attributes → Voicemail Admin → Settings (or System Attributes → Voicemail).
  2. Common adjustments:
    • Max Messages per Folder — default 100.
    • Max Message Length — default 300 seconds (5 min). Bump for longer messages.
    • Min Message Length — 3 seconds avoids partial-second hangup blips.
    • Max Greeting Length — 60 seconds is plenty.
    • Max Failed Login Attempts — 3 is reasonable for security.
    • Email Body / Email Subject — customize the VM-to-email template (use variables like ${VM_NAME}, ${VM_DUR}, ${VM_CIDNAME}).
  3. Click Submit → Apply Config.

Record a personal greeting

User dials *97 from their phone, enters PIN, then:

  • Press 0 for Mailbox Options.
  • Press 1 for Unavailable greeting (heard when extension doesn't answer or is unregistered).
  • Press 2 for Busy greeting.
  • Press 3 for Name (used in dial-by-name directory).
  • Press 4 for temporary greeting (vacation).

Follow prompts to record, listen, save, or re-record.

Verify

  • Call the extension and let it ring out — should hit voicemail.
  • Leave a message; user should receive the email (if configured) within a minute.
  • User dials *97 and confirms message playback.

Common Issues

  • Calls don't go to voicemail. The extension's "destination if no answer" isn't set to voicemail. Check the Find Me / Follow Me tab or Other → Voicemail routing.
  • Email never arrives. SMTP not configured. Test: 
    echo "test" | mail -s "test" you@example.com
# Check /var/log/maillog for delivery errors.
  • VM-to-email works but user wants messages saved on the server too. Set Delete Voicemail to No, but watch disk usage.
  • Greeting plays only sometimes. Multiple greetings recorded (Unavailable + Busy) — Asterisk picks based on extension state.
  • PIN reset. See Reset a Voicemail PIN.