> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.limecall.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.limecall.com/virtual-numbers/voicemail.md).

# Voicemail

Greetings, where messages land, and why the AI is usually better.

Voicemail is available as a destination on any number, and as a fallback when nobody answers.

## Setting it up

Set a number's destination to **Voicemail**, or set it as the fallback under **When busy**.

## The greeting

Record or upload a greeting, or have one generated from text.

A good greeting is short and tells the caller what to do and what to expect:

> "You've reached Northgate Dental. We're closed right now — leave your name, number and what you need, and we'll call you back when we open at 8:30. For a dental emergency, call 0113 496 0000."

That gives them an alternative, a timeframe and an emergency route. Compare a greeting that says only "leave a message after the tone", which tells the caller nothing about whether anyone will hear it.

## Different greetings for different situations

Where supported, set separate greetings for out-of-hours and for busy. A caller who rang during your advertised opening hours and got voicemail should hear something that acknowledges that, rather than a message saying you are closed.

## Where messages go

Voicemails appear in your **Inbox** as conversations, attached to the caller's contact record, and in **Calls** as call records.

They are transcribed, so you can read a message instead of listening to it — much faster to triage, and searchable afterwards.

## Notifications

Set alerts under **Settings → Notifications** so a voicemail reaches someone. A message nobody is told about sits unheard.

Email with the transcription is the most practical default.

## Why the AI is usually better

For most businesses, pointing the fallback at the AI receptionist rather than voicemail is a straight improvement.

A voicemail is a one-way message that half your callers will not leave — most people hang up on voicemail and call a competitor. The AI has an actual conversation: it answers the question, qualifies the caller, books the appointment, and escalates a genuine emergency.

Keep voicemail as the destination when:

* your callers specifically expect it,
* the AI is out of minutes and you need a safety net,
* you are not yet confident in the AI for a particular line.

See [AI Receptionist](/ai-receptionist.md).

## Retention

Voicemails and their transcripts are kept with the call record. Consider your data retention obligations, particularly if callers leave sensitive information — a voicemail is a recording and is subject to the same rules. See [Recording, consent & AI disclosure](/ai-receptionist/recording-consent-and-disclosure.md).