Technology
Fact-checked

At EasyTechJunkie, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How Do I Send Data from My Answering Machine to Email?

G. Wiesen
G. Wiesen

In order to easily send data from an answering machine to email, you should set up a system in which you utilize a digital voicemail service, rather than a standard answering machine device. Answering machines typically act as separate devices that can be connected to your phone or are developed as part of a phone which record messages from incoming calls and save those messages for future playback. This type of system does not necessarily interface or function with online components, making it difficult to transfer messages from an answering machine into an email account, so you should look into a digital service that utilizes online voicemail that notifies you by email of new messages.

When it comes to transferring data from an answering machine to email, the main issue that arises is the ability for different systems to communicate. An answering machine is typically a physical device used to record and save messages from callers. These machines are usually connected to a telephone line, and can be a separate device connected to a phone or can be built as part of a phone. Since answering machines are designed to work primarily with phones, there are not many models intended for use with email systems.

Woman holding a disc
Woman holding a disc

Some devices have been introduced to make it possible for answering machines to utilize digital information formats and send messages to a computer system, but these are often unreliable and may not always be available. Rather than trying to send information from your answering machine to email, you should consider using a voicemail service. You can choose a voicemail service that is online or that utilizes software you install onto a computer. When an incoming call is received that you cannot answer, the system transfers the call to the computer system and a message is recorded.

The computer system can then send a message to your email, in much the same way you likely wish to have messages sent from your answering machine to email. Different systems can send different types of messages, though it usually is simply an alert that notifies you that you have a voicemail message. You can then check your voicemail from a remote location, by dialing into the voicemail service and retrieving your message. There are a number of systems that allow you to utilize voicemail and email, often more easily than trying to send data from an answering machine to email, and some systems can include caller ID functions as well as the ability to transfer calls to a mobile phone.

Discussion Comments

anon1003526

When I clicked on the link, I thought the article would actually be helpful--i.e., answer the question of how to send data from an answering machine to email. Presumably, this would mean a link to products, or maybe a Raspberry Pi hack. But no, it just says to use voicemail.

Well, that's what I have now and I don't like it. The most annoying problem is that I still have to manually access my voicemail in order to delete the message that was already emailed to me.

More importantly, from time to time I still have to deal with faxes, mainly regarding financial dealings that can't be sent my email (faxing is still more secure). In order to receive the fax on the shared line I have to actually be at my multifunction printer to in order to manually receive the fax. It's a shared voice/fax line, since I receive faxes too infrequently to get a dedicated line. If I have a physical answering machine, the fax can check the call and see if it's fax or voice, forwarding to the answering machine or phone if it's voice. That doesn't work with voicemail: once the fax machine checks the call the voicemail sees the line as being answered and will not take the message.

I'd love to have a local answering machine that can email me my messages: it's easier to check/delete messages than with voicemail, and I can get faxes without being home.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Woman holding a disc
      Woman holding a disc