CenturyLink voice mail basics
Learn the basics of setting up your voice mail, how to reset your PIN and how to access away from home.
Voice mail systems vary slightly by location. To be sure you're getting the most accurate instructions for where you are, look at our online voice mail user guide.
Voice mail is usually included in Price for Life bundles. To change your service or features, contact us.
Use these step-by-step instructions to set up your voice mail. And don't worry if you make a mistake — you'll always have the option of backing up and changing your response.
1. Start up your voice mail service
To set up your voice mail, press #55 from your home phone or call the retrieval number you received with your welcome letter. Voice prompts will guide you through the rest of the steps.
To set up your voice mail, press *98 from your home phone or call the retrieval number you received with your welcome letter. Voice prompts will guide you through the rest of the steps.
To set up your voice mail, press *98 or #55 (varies by location) from your home phone or call the retrieval number you received with your welcome letter. Voice prompts will guide you through the rest of the steps.
2. Create your PIN
Your voice mail PIN can be any number 4 to 15 digits long. Be sure to make note of it because you'll need it to access your messages in the future. If you don't remember your PIN, check below for instructions on how to reset it.
3. Record a name to identify your mailbox
You can record your family name, such as, "Park residence" or use first name(s).
4. Choose a greeting
You can record a personal greeting, or you can use one of the pre-recorded CenturyLink greetings. Follow the system prompts to select your greeting:
Standard greeting with phone number: "At the tone, please record your message to [phone number]."
Standard greeting with your name: "At the tone, please record your message to [name]."
Record a personalized greeting, up to 3 minutes long. A common template you can follow is: "You've reached [name]. We can't get to the phone right now, but if you leave a message, we'll call you back."
And you’re done! Your CenturyLink voice mail is now set up. Whenever you have an unheard message, you'll hear a stuttered dial tone when you pick up your home phone.
Tips for great voice mail greetings
If you choose to record your own personal greeting, consider these tips:
- Take a few minutes to gather your thoughts, even jot down a few notes, and practice before you record.
- Before you start recording, turn off anything in the background that might cause noise. This will ensure your voice is clear and easy to understand.
- While clever greetings can be fun, it's worth taking a moment to think about the range of potential callers who may be leaving you voicemail. Consider the tone and image you want to project.
- Don't worry! If you don't like your recording, you can erase it and re-record as many times as you'd like.
Reset a forgotten voice mail PIN
Call 800-201-4099. A representative will ask you a series of questions to verify your identity, and then will reset your PIN for you.
Download the voice mail user guide for your specific system.
Reset a forgotten voice mail PIN
Call 800-244-1111, and a representative will verify your identity and reset your PIN for you.
Change your PIN when you know your current PIN
If you know your PIN and simply want to change it, dial *98 from your home phone and enter your PIN. Then, from the main menu, do the following:
- For settings, press 4
- For security options, press 3
- To change your PIN, press 1
- Enter your new PIN (4-15 digits)
- To confirm, enter your new PIN again
Reset a forgotten voice mail PIN
Contact us to have a representative verify your identity and reset your PIN.
Download the voice mail user guide for your specific system.
How to check voice mail away from home
Sometimes you need to check your messages when you're away from home. No problem! In most areas, there are two ways to do this.
Any time you're checking voice mail from a phone line that is not your home line, you are required to enter your voice mail PIN. Did you forget your PIN? You can reset it.
Option 1: Call home and interrupt the greeting
Call your home phone number. Press # to interrupt the greeting, and then enter your PIN. Follow the prompts to listen to your messages. (Note: In some areas, the # key will not interrupt the greeting. Try pressing * or 2 instead.)
Option 2: Check your voice mail online*
Sign in to My CenturyLink to listen to and manage your voice mail messages.
*Not available in all areas
Download the voice mail user guide for your specific system.
Option 1: Call home and interrupt the greeting
Call your home phone number. Press * to interrupt the greeting, and then enter your PIN. Follow the prompts to listen to your messages.
Option 2: Call your retrieval number
Calling your retrieval number — instead of your home phone number — is a faster way to listen to your messages remotely. You will be prompted immediately to enter your PIN and don't have to wait for your greeting to start.
If you've forgotten your retrieval number, call 800-244-1111 to get it. Alternately, the number was included in the welcome letter you received when you signed up for voice mail service.
Option 1: Call home and interrupt the greeting
Call your home phone number. Depending on your location, you can press #, * or 2 to interrupt the greeting, and then enter your PIN. Follow the prompts to listen to your messages.
If you are unable to access your voice mail, contact us for assistance.
