What is Voicemail
Voicemail lets callers leave messages when you can’t answer. Messages are automatically transcribed and sent to your email with the audio recording. Customize your greeting to match your brand. Key benefits:- Automatic voicemail transcription
- Custom greeting messages
- Email notifications with recordings
- Smart voicemail with AI summaries
Setup voicemail
1
Open Settings
Go to Settings in the Allo app
2
Select Voicemail
Navigate to Settings > Voicemail
3
Activate voicemail
Selct voicemail to activate it instead of AI Receptionist for example.
4
Choose greeting type
Select your voicemail greeting:
- Default greeting - Standard Allo message
- Custom message - Your personalized greeting
Voicemail messages are transcribed automatically. You receive both the audio and text via email.
Custom greeting messages
Writing effective greetings
Professional greeting template: Hello, you’ve reached [Your Name] at [Company Name]. I’m unable to take your call right now. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Casual greeting template: Hi, this is [Your Name]. Sorry I missed your call. Leave me a message and I’ll get back to you soon. Out of office greeting: Thank you for calling [Company Name]. Our office is currently closed. Our business hours are [hours]. Please leave a message or call back during business hours.Best practices
Keep it short:20-30 seconds maximum. Callers want to leave their message quickly. Be clear:
State your name, that you can’t answer, and what they should do. Set expectations:
Tell them when to expect a callback. “I’ll return your call within 24 hours.” Update regularly:
Change your greeting for holidays, vacations, or extended absences. Professional tone:
Even casual greetings should be clear and polite.
Smart voicemail
What is smart voicemail
Smart voicemail uses AI to transcribe and summarize voicemail messages. You get:- Full text transcription
- AI summary of key points
- Caller information
- Suggested actions
What you receive
After someone leaves a voicemail, you get:
Email notification
Sent to your registered email address
In-app notification
Alert in Allo app with badge
Audio recording
Full voicemail audio file
Transcription
Text version of the message
Email notifications
What’s included:- Caller name (if known)
- Caller phone number
- Date and time of call
- Voicemail transcription
- Link to audio recording
- AI summary
Voicemail settings
- Activation
- Custom Messages
- Notifications
When voicemail activates
Configure when callers reach voicemail:Unanswered calls
Settings > Unanswered Calls > VoicemailWhen you don’t answer within a set number of rings, calls go to voicemail.Outside business hours
Settings > Business Hours > Outside Business Hours > VoicemailAutomatically send calls to voicemail when you’re closed.Learn more about Business HoursWhen busy
Settings > When you are busy > VoicemailIf you’re on another call, new callers go to voicemail.Gatekeeper integration
Settings > Gatekeeper > Custom MessageIf using Gatekeeper, you can customize the message callers hear before leaving voicemail.Learn more about GatekeeperVoicemail vs. AI Receptionist
You must choose between voicemail and AI Receptionist. Both cannot be active simultaneously.| Feature | Voicemail | AI Receptionist |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Starter & Business | Business only |
| Caller experience | Leave message | Interactive conversation |
| Information collection | One-way message | Can ask questions |
| Transcription | Yes | Yes |
| Custom greeting | Yes | Yes |
| Answer questions | No | Yes |
| Pricing | Included | Business plan required |
When to use voicemail
Best for:- Simple message collection
- Starter plan users
- Traditional business model
- Callers who prefer leaving messages
When to use AI Receptionist
Best for:- 24/7 customer service
- Answering common questions
- Collecting specific information
- Modern, interactive experience
Access voicemail messages
In the Allo app
- Open Allo app
- Go to Inbox tab
- Voicemails appear with other call records
- Tap a voicemail to:
- Listen to audio
- Read transcription
- View AI summary
- Call back
Via email
- Check your email inbox
- Find voicemail notification from Allo
- Read transcription in email
- Click link to listen to recording
Voicemail history
All voicemails are saved in:- Allo app inbox (indefinitely)
- Email inbox (until you delete)
- Connected CRM (if integrated)
Troubleshooting
Voicemail not activating
Voicemail not activating
Check these settings:
- Voicemail toggle is ON in Settings
- Not using AI Receptionist instead
- Business hours configured correctly (if using)
Custom greeting not playing
Custom greeting not playing
Common causes:
- Still using default greeting setting
- Custom message not saved properly
- Message exceeds character limit
- Go to voicemail settings
- Select “Custom message”
- Re-enter your greeting
- Save and test by calling yourself
Not receiving email notifications
Not receiving email notifications
Verify email settings:
- Check email address in Settings > Profile
- Look in spam/junk folder
- Verify email is spelled correctly
Transcription is inaccurate
Transcription is inaccurate
Why this happens:
- Poor audio quality
- Background noise
- Caller speaking unclearly
- Strong accents or language mixing
Can't access voicemail recordings
Can't access voicemail recordings
Check these items:
- Recording links expire after 90 days
- Internet connection is active
- Link wasn’t modified or truncated
Want to change voicemail greeting
Want to change voicemail greeting
You can update anytime:
- Go to Settings > your phone number
- Select context (Unanswered calls, Gatekeeper, etc.)
- Tap Custom Message
- Edit the text
- Save
