Using Visual Voicemail attenuates all other sounds on the phone

@ML0815

Older version of android OS on Samsung phones were compatible with one of 2 ATT visual voicemail apps that were not pre-loaded.

I do not know why either app would cause other sounds to mute.  

@ML0815

Im at a loss.  I use these apps with older or non ATT devices and they work well, but none are still running kit kat.  

My instinct is the apps have been updated, but her phone has not, and are no longer compatible. 

Trying another version of VVM or ATT messages might work for her.

@GLIMMERMAN76 might have suggestions.  

Hello @DaveintheNW!

I’m sorry to hear about the volume issue with your Voicemail!

That is very curious indeed! Have you tried clearing the cache and/or data of the visual voicemail application in the application manager?

What about clearing the cache partition of the phone itself? You can try that with the following:

1. Turn off your Galaxy S3.
2. Hold down the Home and Volume Up keys.
3. Press and hold the Power button while still holding the other keys.
4. As soon as you see the Samsung logo, release all keys/buttons.
5. Press on the Volume Down key to tab down to “wipe cache partition”.
6. Once it is highlighted, press the Power button to select it.
7. On the next page, Press the Volume down button to highlight "yes" and press the Power button to select it.
8. Wait for a few seconds for the phone to clear the data.
9. Press the Power button on the next page to select “reboot system now.”
10. Wait for your phone to reboot.

Feel free to follow up with us! We’re interested in helping fix this together!

Tim, AT&T Community Specialist

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Visual Voicemail (from Play Store, Version 4.0.0.0095) several times without solving the problem. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S III (SGH-1747) running Android version 4.4.2, kernel dated 8/10/2015.

I would clean the cache partition but my Volume Up button doesn't work (never has).

I'm wondering if I'm getting intereference from some other app. I have Music Choice and a local radio station app installed - although I have the problem even if they haven't been run since the last restart.

Here's the experiment:

* Clear data and cache for VVM and the two other apps mentioned above.

* Restart

* Check sound: OK ("OK" means the sound is loud and clear)

* Open and activate VVM

* Check sound: OK

* View (but not listen to) one of the messages

* Check sound: OK

* Listen to a few seconds of the message

* Check sound: VERY SOFT

* Force stop to VVM

* Check sound: OK

Any clues here?

Hi again @DaveintheNW!

Thanks for touching base!

I’m sorry you’re not able to clear the cache partition. Have you tried clearing the temporary files in the storage settings? This is not quite the same thing, but still worth trying!

I have not been able to find any other known examples of this unfortunately. It doesn’t sound like a problem with the way the voicemail is configured, but rather a bug (or annoying feature) of the application itself.

When did this first start happening?

If you feel another application may be the culprit, you could attempt testing it in safe mode. Although since you have the downloaded version of VVM, rather than the native one, I’m unsure if you would be able to access it there.

Here’s brief instructions on launching safe mode:

1. When the handset is booting up after powering on or rebooting, the model name of the device will appear.
2. Next, once the Samsung logo animation is visible, then just keep pressing the menu key.
3. If you have successfully entered into Safe Mode, you will notice the text ‘Safe Mode’ at the bottom left corner of the screen.

I hope that helps out! We appreciate you bringing this to our attention!

Tim, AT&T Community Specialist