How can I check my answering machine?

How to Check an Answering Machine Remotely

• Answer:

  In order to match the convenience provided by voice mail, many current models of answering machines allow their owners to remotely check messages. While figuring out how to do this may seem daunting at first, it is actually pretty easy. Difficulty: Easy Instructions Locate the instruction manual for the answering machine, which will provide specific instructions on how to remotely check for messages, as this varies according to model. The instruction manual will also provide the preset personal identification number needed to initially access the answering machine remotely. If the instruction manual is lost, however, contact the manufacturer of the answering machine or search Instruction sheets.com, which contains a number of instruction manuals for answering machines (see Resources below). Change the answering machine's personal identification number. This is extremely important, as it will prevent unauthorized users from accessing the answering machine, which could lead to identity theft. Try to make the new personal identification number the maximum length allowed by the answering machine, and only share it with family or housemates. Dial your home phone number and wait for the answering machine to pick up. When the answering machine begins to play its prerecorded message, wait until the correct time to input the personal identification number. While the time window to enter your personal identification number is different for each answering machine, most allow you to enter it during the prerecorded message, or right after the beep indicating when to leave a message. Once the personal identification number has been entered, provided it is correct, the answering machine will say how many messages have been recorded on it. Most answering machines will say how many new messages are on it while being checked remotely, although some may simply say how many messages are on it altogether. Use the telephone buttons to navigate through the messages. The buttons will vary from model to model. However, answering machines usually include commands such as "listen to new messages," "listen to all messages," "play previous message," "skip message" and "delete messages." Again, consult the instruction manual to determine which buttons do what function, although some answering machines will provide a quick tutorial upon being contacted remotely. Log out after remotely checking the answering machine's messages. While this is usually as simple as hanging up, some answering machines will require that the user sign out through a command on the menu. Failure to log out properly may cause the answering machine to treat being checked remotely as though it were a message being recorded, which can tie up the phone line and prevent other calls from coming in. Tips & Warnings Warning: Individual answering machines may vary slightly from their instructions regarding how they will respond to being contacted remotely.