How to Remove Voicemail Menu Options in FusionPBX

FusionPBX uses FreeSWITCH’s default voicemail macros, which include several menu options during message playback that you may not need:

• 5 – Callback
• 8 – Forward message
• 9 – Save to folder

This tutorial shows you how to remove options 5, 8, and 9 from your voicemail system, keeping only the essential options:

• 1 – Listen
• 2 – Save
• 3 – Envelope
• 7 – Delete
• 0 – Main menu

Prerequisites

• FusionPBX installed and running
• SSH access to your server
• Root or sudo privileges

Step 1: Modify the Voicemail Lua Script

Navigate to the voicemail function directory and edit the listening script:

File location:

/usr/share/freeswitch/scripts/app/voicemail/resources/functions/listen_to_recording.lua

Find this section:

if (session:ready()) then
    if (string.len(dtmf_digits) == 0) then

Replace the voicemail menu calls with:

if (session:ready()) then
    if (string.len(dtmf_digits) == 0) then
        if (use_deletion_queue == "true" and message_status == "deleted") then
            dtmf_digits = session:playAndGetDigits(
                1, 1, max_tries, digit_timeout, "#",
                "phrase:custom_voicemail_listen_file_options:deleted:1:2:3:7:0",
                "", "^[\\d\\*#]$"
            )
        else
            dtmf_digits = session:playAndGetDigits(
                1, 1, max_tries, digit_timeout, "#",
                "phrase:custom_voicemail_listen_file_options:1:2:3:7:0",
                "", "^[\\d\\*#]$"
            )
        end
    end
end

This change tells FreeSWITCH to use your custom menu macro instead of the default one.

Step 2: Create the Custom Voicemail Menu XML

Edit the English language voicemail configuration:

File location:

/etc/freeswitch/languages/en/vm/voicemail.xml

Add this macro inside the <include> tag:

<macro name="custom_voicemail_listen_file_options">
  <!-- Normal messages menu -->
  <input pattern="^([0-9#*]):([0-9#*]):([0-9#*]):([0-9#*]):(.*)$">
    <match>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-listen_to_recording.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$1" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>

      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-save_recording.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$2" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>

      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-message_envelope.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$3" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>

      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-delete_recording.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$4" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>
    </match>
  </input>

  <!-- Deleted messages menu -->
  <input pattern="^deleted:([0-9#*]):([0-9#*]):([0-9#*]):([0-9#*]):(.*)$">
    <match>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-listen_to_recording.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$1" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>

      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-undelete_message.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$2" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>

      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-message_envelope.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$3" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>

      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-delete_recording.wav"/>
      <action function="play-file" data="voicemail/vm-press.wav"/>
      <action function="say" data="$4" method="pronounced" type="name_spelled"/>
    </match>
  </input>
</macro>

Step 3: Apply the Changes

Reload FreeSWITCH to apply your customizations:

Option 1: Reload XML (recommended)

fs_cli -x "reloadxml"

Option 2: Full restart (if reload doesn’t work)

systemctl restart freeswitch

Testing Your Changes

1. Call your voicemail system
2. Navigate to a saved message
3. Listen for the menu options
4. Verify that only options 1, 2, 3, 7, and 0 are announced