Wireless flip phone not receiving voicemail notices

The phone has current software update.  The only solution I see is to do a master reset of phone, which if I understand right would erase my address book.

Thanks for following back up with us, @Dan3292. 

Like you mentioned, performing a master reset would completely erase your address book, as the process would restore your device back to its initial factory settings. However, it's possible to back up your contacts using a computer or with a memory card so you can restore them after the reset.

Additionally, like Nelson mentioned above, try clearing out your message history on your device. Your Cingular Flip has a limited amount of available storage space, so if you don't have any available storage, then you wouldn't be able to receive texts or voicemail notifications in your messages. 

Please let us know if this helps you receive messages again. If not, we can look into our other options within a DM.

Dylan, AT&T Community Specialist

Oh, also I activated the USB output on the phone and connected it to my computer.  I can see there is a CONTACTS folder on the phone, but it only contains one *.VCF file, not an entire address book as I would expect.   Where is the address book stored, if not in the CONTACTS folder?

Per the voicemail troubleshooting, I should see at least a tiny icon show up on top of the phone's screen when a voicemail is waiting.  Here is excerpt:

"When a new voicemail is received, the  Voicemail icon will appear in the Notification bar."

I left a voicemail for myself to test, and I do not see that icon appear.  I also formerly would receive a brief message while in the MESSAGES section.  It would display "You have one voicemail message waiting" or something like that besides the icon appearing.  Neither one is working.

We're here to assist you with backing up and restoring your photos @Dan3292.

Can you check to see if your contacts are inside the VCF file? A VCF file can have multiple contacts.

You can also call the voicemail system to turn your notification alerts on and off: 

1. ​Press and hold ​​1​​ from your AT&T wireless phone. If you have AT&T Wireless Home Phone, dial ​​1​​ from your connected home phone.​
2. ​Enter your ​​voicemail password​​, if prompted.​
3. ​If you have new messages, press the ​​* key​​ to skip to the ​​Main Menu.​
4. ​In the ​​Main Menu​​, press ​​4​​ for ​​Personal Options.​
5. ​Press ​​1​​ to turn ​​Voicemail Notifications On​​ or ​​Off.​

Let us know if this works.

Marilyn, AT&T Community Specialist

I was able to view the *.vcf file and it was just the remnants of an eCard from a single person, not an entire address book.

I have checked the "turn notification on or off" both through the voicemail system and by setting it on the phone itself.  In both cases, the system thinks it is turned on.  I have also tried turning the notification off, rebooting, then turning it back on again to see if that would get it going ...

Thank you for your response @Dan3292.

Since you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and still is unable to get voicemail notification. Please check your Direct Message Inbox, which is the chat icon next to the bell icon in the upper right corner of the Forums page and our message to you will be there.

We look forward to assisting you.

Marilyn, AT&T Community Specialist

I did as you requested and tried the Direct Message Inbox (Chat help) and the C S Rep (Marilyn?) did not respond to me after ONE HOUR after entering in my cell number for her to identify me.  I think she was going to use my cell number to call me directly on the problematic phone, but this never happened after waiting around.

So, I ended up using the phone - so if Marilyn tried calling back after all that, she might have left a voicemail that I will not be alerted to unless I intentionally dial "1" to check.  Haha

Trying the Direct Messaging again on Saturday 3/25/23 @ 4:30PM EDST, seems like no one there today.

Here are some steps that can help to resolve those recent trends with your AT&T Cingular Flip IV (U102AA), Dan3292.

First, to start receiving voicemail notifications again you will want to make sure notifications are enabled on your phone. Follow the steps under Access notification settings when you visit Notifications & Alerts for your AT&T Cingular Flip IV (U102AA).

Next, to start receiving text messages again, power your device off for 1-2 minutes then power it on again. Now that you've made sure the setting Auto Retrieve Messages is on, restarting your phone can help.

Here's how to perform a restart of your phone, and you'll find details about how to perform various resets of your device. Restarting your phone refreshes your device's connection to the network and can clear up any conflicts that may have developed between your device and the network.

Also, another step you should take is to make sure that Airplane Mode is disabled. Normally, with this feature enabled your phone won't be able to connect to cellular, Wi-Fi networks, or to Bluetooth.

If this is something else that you've noticed about your device, then it is worth checking that Airplane Mode is turned off. Even if it's already turned off, turn the feature on then back off before testing the results. 

Try this and let us know how it goes. If your experience persists despite these steps, we will want to take a closer look into what could be causing your experience.

Lar, AT&T Community Specialist