This isn't about how to upload an mp3 as a voicemail greeting, because as far as I'm aware, you can't do that. Unless you have a cloud/VOIP phone system.
But, there is another way to have an MP3 in there...
...and this method really isn't technical at all. Some might say it looks stupid when you do it. Embarrassing even. But, the important thing is - it works.
Use an MP3 as your voicemail greeting on iPhone and Android smartphone
Ok, get ready to be blown away
One On your computer, find the MP3 you want to use as your voicemail greeting. It might be part of a song, a clip from a film or the audio from a ridiculous video about the mating call of the bird of paradise. (If you want to record your own but want a better quality piece of audio, check out the Rode VideoMic Me-C (review here) which plugs straight into your phone and turns average audio, to VERY GOOD audio).
Two
Double click the MP3 so it opens in a media player. Stop it and get it back to the start of the track.
Three
Turn your speakers on and turn them to somewhere between medium and high. (You can also use headphones if they're a decent closed back set).
Four
On your mobile phone, call your voicemail and go through the menu system as if you were going to record your voicemail message by speaking into the mouthpiece.
Five
At the point where you would usually start talking to record a greeting, hold the mouth end of the phone a few inches away from one of your speakers. (Or tightly hold your closed back headphones around the mouthpiece of your phone.)
Six
Back on your computer, press play on the MP3.
Seven
When the MP3 ends, press the button on your phone that your voicemail box says will end the recording (usually # but sometimes *).
Eight
Listen back to the greeting message. If it sounds distorted, turn the volume of your speakers down and try again.
And that's all there is to it.
Warning
Don't expect it to sound as clear as it does through your speakers. You're listening to it on a phone call, where the audio gets crushed down significantly - voices, music, everything.
Alternative method
If you've got some decent closed back headphones, you can can put you're phone in-between both ear pieces. This helps to eliminate room noise and potential reverb caused by the speakers.
Alternative method 2
Get me to do it for you from the quiet of my sound proof booth!
Of course, it doesn't have to be a sample from a film or your favourite music. It could be one of the pre-recorded voicemail greetings available in my shop! Or a totally bespoke answer message tailored to your needs.
And while you're here, take a listen to some examples of telephone messages to listen to my sound and accent...
Come on, I couldn't end a blog without several calls to action could I?! My name is Martin Whiskin and I am a voiceover artist based in Kent! Read some of my other Blog posts like "So you want a voiceover for free?"
EDIT FOR 2023 I've been wondering about celebrity voicemails. Not those rubbish impressions you can get to put on your phone, but like Morgan Freeman's voicemail. Do you think he records his own? Does he leave it as the robot voice of the provider? Imagine the disappointment if you got through to his answer phone and it wasn't his incredible voice on there!
Speaking of Morgan Freeman, here's a post that mentions his voice role in The Shawshank Redemption and why narration in films is so effective.
Did you also know that as a voiceover artist that I also provide a Kinetic Typography Video service plus ... drum roll ... voiceover for Animated Explainer videos!
If you have questions about voiceover or engaging the services of one, head over to my FAQs page!
For any voiceover service please contact me via the button below. I am also, for a limited time offering a FREE answering machine message for the Bank Holiday. Head over to the Free Messages page to get yours.
