topic Re: Re: Re: Re: Direct Voicemail Issues in Galaxy S26

Direct Voicemail Issues

PlayboyZay — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:17:00 GMT

I’ve been testing Direct Voicemail and it’s not behaving consistently. Curious if others are seeing the same.

Environment

Carrier: Google Fi
Device: S26 Ultra Unlocked

Main issues

Declining a call using red button (swipe or tap) sends it to carrier voicemail, not Direct Voicemail
Auto-send to voicemail works briefly, then reverts to carrier voicemail
No setting to force declined calls to Direct Voicemail
Direct VM vs carrier vm depends...
- Bottom option on incoming calls reverts to “Send Message” instead of “More Options” depending on the call type.
- I've tested locked/unlocked, apps, home screen, and with the screen off
- HD+ calls seem to work reliably, but I don't know how to force all inbound calls to use HD
- Tapping More Options → dismissing it sends call to Direct Voicemail (unexpected)

Missing features and other notes

No way to:
- Customize greeting text or record custom greeting
- Control forwarding (no answer or busy) between Direct Voicemail and carrier voicemail
- Voicemail settings still tied to carrier
Call forwarding always falls back to carrier when Direct Voicemail doesn’t trigger
Custom voice style for Text Call works great after it's setup (which is a really nice feature)

TLDR

Direct Voicemail seems to rely on HD calling

Anyone else seeing this? Maybe it's just Google Fi, or I'm missing something?

Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

Mujibar — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:21:23 GMT

I don't think it's you or your carrier. It worked well for me once, maybe twice. Now everything gets sent to carrier voicemail.

Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

AAbbott — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:45:19 GMT

All voicemail is carrier voicemail, and that's where sending calls direct to voicemail will end up. The new setting, as I understand it, is meant to route calls you don't want directly to voicemail without disturbing you with the call waiting beep. Declining a call on call waiting accomplishes the same thing - sends it direct to voicemail. Frankly, I don't understand the rationale for this setting (other than for Verizon users), because you can just conditionally direct calls to voicemail when the line is busy (turn off call waiting), unanswered or unreachable (network problems). You can also just turn on do not disturb when you are on an important call. This will automatically direct all calls (except those you excepted) to voicemail. Unless I am missing something (which I could be), this is just a redundant setting. And, actually, what difference does it make if it goes to carrier voicemail or some separate one-phone inbox, as long as you get the message?

Re: Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

Mujibar — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:51:44 GMT

Direct Voicemail is a feature in One UI 8.5 that bypasses carrier voicemail:

https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-one-ui-8-5-direct-voicemail-3639084/

Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

PlayboyZay — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:05:59 GMT

I've tested 20-25 times in a row and could only get it to work probably 5 times.

Re: Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

Mujibar — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:09:44 GMT

Seems to be very inconsistent. I expect this feature to get more polished over time. I think any feedback that can be reported would be helpful to devs.

Re: Re: Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

Kdrewh — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:22:54 GMT

Thank you. I was going to post this. Direct to VM does not get sent to carrier voice mail...and also allows you to answer the call while leaving a voicemail if you miss the call but reach your phone before the caller has disconnected. It's a cool feature in my opinion.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

Mujibar — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:25:52 GMT

I agree! Implementation seems to be a bit buggy, though.

Re: Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

AAbbott — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:27:59 GMT

ok. Doesn't seem like something I would use anyway. Nothing wrong with voicemails going to the carrier inbox. I don't need voicemails in two different places.

Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

jadayle — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 01:30:09 GMT

It's been going on for about a week. I spent hours with tech support for at&t and Samsung. Both blamed the other in the end. Now I'm hearing it's the app and they're working on an update.

Re: Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

PlayboyZay — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:48:55 GMT

Do you mind keeping us updated on the ticket status? Maybe I should open my own ticket, but I haven't had the time lately

Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

userxDDS9Qz6MC — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:10:55 GMT

Same issues here. Has Samsung acknowledged this problem and is there a fix coming?

Re: Direct Voicemail Issues

Mujibar — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:35:46 GMT

They can't acknowledge what they don't know about. To submit feedback directly to Samsung, use the "send feedback" option on the Support tab of the Members app.