Error 1034 on iPhone Voicemail Greetings? Here’s How To Fix

A common voicemail issue on iOS 17 is the error 1034 pop-up that appears when you try to change your greeting. It generally stems from carrier permissions, software glitches, and incorrect device settings. Personally, I rarely answer calls while I’m at work. And not having a personalized voicemail merely makes me seem more distant than I really am. If you’re also having trouble recording your custom messages, try these four solutions that worked for me.

How To Fix the Voicemail Greeting Error 1034

1. Hold Down the 1 Key on Your iPhone

Time needed: 2 minutes


Hold down the 1 key on the Phone app and wait for your iPhone to call voicemail—you should be able to set up your greeting message afterward. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Phone app. If you can’t see it on your Home Screen, swipe left when your device is unlocked and look for it in Spotlight.

    Pick the Phone App on Your iPhone

  2. Go to the Keypad tab in the bottom-right corner of the screen. It’s the second-closest icon to the right.

    Pick the Keyboard Tab on Your iPhone

  3. Hold the 1 key on your iPhone. After a few seconds, your iPhone should call voicemail. There, you can customize your settings however you want.

    Press and hold 1 on your iPhone keyboard

2. Contact Your Carrier

If you can’t customize your voicemail settings despite holding the 1 key in the Phone app, the next step is to contact your network provider. Ask about any carrier restrictions.

You should find their contact number online, although some brands would rather have subscribers raise support tickets via email. Once you’ve talked to your provider, you’ll know more about how to approach this issue (and whether it’s even fixable).

3. Try Updating Your iOS Software

The error 1034 code is by and large associated with iOS 17, but Apple has released several iterations since the initial launch in September 2023. After contacting your carrier, consider updating your iOS software, especially if they can’t trace any specific issues on their end.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Navigate to General.
    Open the iPhone Settings app and select General
  3. Select Software Update.
    Choose the Software Update tab in your iPhone Settings
  4. Wait for your iPhone to find an available update. If it does, press Update Now.
    Update your iOS 17 software when the option appears
Note icon NOTE
Since some users have also reported issues after trying to upgrade their software, it’s worth reading this guide on fixing iOS 17.4.1 update problems.

4. Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings

Resetting your iPhone’s network settings wipes various settings that could interfere with your iPhone’s voicemail, such as saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords. While re-entering all this data is time-consuming, it’s worthwhile if it lets you record custom greetings again.

  1. Go to Settings > General.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of your screen and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
    The option to transfer or reset your iPhone
  3. Tap Reset.
    Reset your iPhone tab
  4. Select Reset Network Settings.
    The reset network settings tab on an iphone
  5. Enter your passcode when prompted and wait for your iPhone to perform the requested action.

Having tried these steps, you should now be able to customize your voicemail without error 1034 appearing. If you consistently see the problem, it’s probably something to do with your provider, and you should contact them directly. Reaching out to Apple Support may also help.

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