Live Voicemail shows real-time message transcripts and works largely on-device, reducing carrier dependency
Feature arrives with One UI 8.5 beta 4 for Galaxy S25 users in select markets
Update also includes bug fixes and is expected to roll out widely with the Galaxy S26 series
Samsung appears to be finally introducing an iPhone-like feature to the Galaxy S25 series. The company previously introduced the One UI 8.5 beta update, which included Direct (Live) Voicemail for the Galaxy S25 series, allowing users to see voicemail messages transcribed in real time, as we have seen with iPhones.
SurveyThis new feature lets incoming calls automatically move to voicemail if they go unanswered for a short period. The users can also manually send calls to voicemail. As the caller leaves a message, a live text transcript appears inside the Samsung Phone app, making it possible to screen calls without picking up. Notably, the feature works largely on-device, reducing dependence on carrier-supported voicemail services.
The Direct Voicemail feature comes with the One UI 8.5 beta 4, which Samsung has started rolling out to Galaxy S25 users enrolled in the beta programme in Germany, the UK, and the US, following an earlier release in South Korea. The update is around 1.5GB in size and includes the February 5, 2026, security patch.
Along with the Live Voicemail feature, the beta update comes with many bug fixes. These include a fix for the lock screen clock shifting position, improvements to search history within the Phone app, better Bluetooth headset call switching, and a solution to issues encountered when pasting phone numbers into the dialler from call links. Problems affecting AI Select have also been addressed.
How to enable it
Before you move down to the steps, it should be noted that you should have Galaxy S25, S25 Plus or Galaxy S25 Ultra with One UI 8.4 beta installed.
Open the Samsung Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and go to Settings. Select Direct voicemail and turn the feature on. To view messages in real time, ensure Transcript Assist is enabled. You can also set a timer to automatically send unanswered calls to voicemail after 5, 10, or 20 seconds.
One UI 8.5 release timeline
As per the reports, the One UI 8.5 update is said to debut with the Galaxy S26 series, which is tipped to launch at the company’s first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026, reportedly scheduled for February 25. The new update is said to bring new features like Pro camera presets, Network Battery Saver, Priority Notifications, and expanded LockStar customisation options.
Follow Us
Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
