Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything you need to know about Phone Keepsakes. Can't find what you're looking for? Our team is always happy to help.
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General
Do callers need an app?
No. Any phone can call. No app, no sign-up needed.
Can messages be downloaded?
Yes, download as audio files anytime.
Can I share recordings with family?
Yes, download and share however you like.
Can I turn off the phone number?
Yes, you can deactivate at any time from your dashboard.
Does it work internationally?
Yes, anyone with a phone can call your number (standard international rates may apply).
What about background noise?
The recordings capture whatever the caller's phone picks up. We recommend callers find a quiet spot.
What happens after the event?
Your messages are stored securely for 1 year from your purchase date. Download them to keep forever on your own devices.
How long can messages be?
Up to 5 minutes per message.
Are messages transcribed?
Yes, we provide automatic transcriptions for all messages.
What if I need help?
Reach out via our contact page. We typically respond within 24 hours.
Dedicated Phone Numbers
Is it a real phone number?
Yes. You get a real phone number powered by our telephony infrastructure. Choose a local number with an area code that matches your event location, or go with a toll-free number so guests can call at no charge. Either way, guests dial it just like any other number — from their cell phone, landline, or even a payphone. No app to install and nothing to configure on the caller's end.
Can guests call from any phone?
Absolutely. Any phone that can place a call can reach your dedicated number. That includes cell phones, landlines, office phones, and international phones. Guests calling from outside the US simply dial the number with the US country code (+1) and standard international rates from their carrier may apply.
Can I choose my area code?
Yes. When you purchase a phone number, you can search by area code to find a local number that matches your event location, or choose a toll-free number instead. We have numbers available across hundreds of US area codes, so you can pick one that matches your city, state, or a place that holds special significance for your event.
How quickly do I get my number?
Within minutes. Once you create your event and select a number, it is provisioned and active. You can start sharing it with guests right away — no waiting, no approval process, no technical setup required.
What happens when my event ends?
Your voicemails are stored securely for 1 year from your purchase date. You can listen to, download, and share your recordings at any time during that window. If you no longer need the phone number, you can release it from your dashboard. Your downloaded recordings are yours to keep forever.
Custom Greetings
How do I record a custom greeting?
From your event dashboard, tap "Record Greeting" and follow the prompts. You can record directly from your phone by calling your event number, or upload an audio file from your computer. Listen to a preview before saving, and re-record as many times as you like until it sounds perfect.
Can I use text-to-speech?
Yes! Type your greeting message into the text box on your event settings page, then choose from several natural-sounding voices. Preview how it sounds before saving. Text-to-speech is great if you want a polished, consistent greeting without recording yourself.
How long can my greeting be?
Greetings can be up to 60 seconds long. Most effective greetings are between 10 and 20 seconds — long enough to welcome callers and set the tone, but short enough that they stay engaged and leave a message.
Can I change my greeting later?
Absolutely. You can update your greeting anytime from your event dashboard. Switch between a recorded greeting and text-to-speech, or revert to the default greeting whenever you want. Changes take effect immediately for the next caller.
What if I don't set a greeting?
If you don't set a custom greeting, callers will hear our professionally recorded default message. It warmly invites them to leave a voicemail for your event. You can always add a personal greeting later.
Automatic Transcription
How accurate is the transcription?
Our transcription engine delivers high accuracy for clear speech in English. Background noise, heavy accents, or very quiet recordings may reduce accuracy slightly, but the audio is always available alongside the transcript so you never miss a word.
How long does transcription take?
Most voicemails are transcribed within a few minutes of being received. Premium package users receive priority processing for the fastest turnaround, often under a minute.
Can I edit transcripts?
Not currently. Transcripts are generated automatically and displayed as-is. You can always listen to the original audio if a word or phrase doesn't look right.
What languages are supported?
Transcription currently supports English. We are exploring additional language support and will announce new languages as they become available.
Is transcription included on all packages?
Yes! Every package includes automatic transcription at no extra cost. Higher-tier packages benefit from improved accuracy and faster processing speeds.
Voicemail Organization
How do tags work?
Tags are custom labels you create and attach to voicemails. You might tag messages as "Family," "College Friends," or "Funny." Each voicemail can have multiple tags, and you can filter your entire collection by any tag to find exactly what you need.
Can I add notes to voicemails?
Yes. Every voicemail has a notes field where you can write up to 1,000 characters. Use it to jot down who the caller is, what the message is about, or any context you want to remember later. Notes are private and only visible to you.
How does the favorites system work?
Click the star icon on any voicemail to mark it as a favorite. Favorites appear at the top of your filtered views and can be filtered on their own. It is a quick way to bookmark the messages that mean the most.
Can I search through voicemails?
Yes. You can filter voicemails by event, phone number, date range, status (new, listened, favorites), and tags. If transcription is enabled, you can also search the text of what callers said. Finding a specific message takes seconds, even in a collection of hundreds.
Is organization available on all packages?
Tags, favorites, notes, and filtering are available on all packages. There is no limit to the number of tags you can create or the number of voicemails you can organize.
Download & Storage
What audio format are downloads?
All voicemail recordings are downloaded as standard MP3 files. MP3 is universally compatible — it plays on iPhones, Android phones, computers, tablets, and any media player. No special software needed.
Can I download all voicemails at once?
Yes! Every package includes bulk download — get all your voicemails in a single ZIP file. It makes it easy to back up everything at once or transfer recordings to another device.
How long are my recordings stored?
Every package includes 1 year of cloud storage. Your voicemails stay available in your dashboard for 1 year, and you can download them anytime to keep on your own devices.
Is my data backed up?
Yes. All recordings are stored redundantly across multiple secure servers. We maintain automatic backups so your voicemails are protected against hardware failures. Your memories are safe with us.
Event Analytics
What analytics are available?
Phone Keepsakes tracks total calls, voicemail count, average message duration, share page views, peak calling times, and daily activity breakdowns. All analytics are available in real time from your event dashboard.
Is analytics available on all packages?
Yes! Full event analytics are included on every package at no extra cost. Every user gets access to total calls, voicemail count, average duration, peak times, daily breakdowns, and share page tracking.
How often are analytics updated?
Analytics are updated in real time. As soon as a call comes in or a voicemail is recorded, your dashboard reflects the new data immediately.
Can I export analytics data?
Currently, analytics are viewable from your event dashboard. We are working on adding export functionality in a future update so you can download your event data.
Do analytics track individual callers?
Analytics show aggregate data like total calls and averages. Individual voicemails display caller information where available, but analytics summaries focus on overall event engagement rather than individual tracking.
QR Codes & Sharing
How do I generate a QR code for my event?
Once you create an event and assign a phone number, a QR code is automatically generated for your share page. You can download it as a high-resolution image from your event dashboard, ready to print or embed anywhere. No extra steps or tools needed.
Can I customize the share page?
Your share page automatically displays your event name, phone number, and a tap-to-call button. It matches your event details so guests see a clean, branded experience when they visit the link or scan the QR code. The page updates whenever you change your event information.
Do guests need an app to scan the QR code?
No app is needed. Every modern smartphone can scan QR codes using the built-in camera app. Guests simply point their camera at the code, tap the link that appears, and they are taken straight to your share page where they can call with one tap.
Can I print the QR code on invitations and signs?
Absolutely. The QR code downloads as a high-resolution PNG image that prints beautifully on invitations, table cards, posters, banners, and any other printed material. It works at any size, from small card inserts to large venue signage.
Is the share page mobile-friendly?
Yes, the share page is fully responsive and designed for mobile devices first. It loads instantly, looks beautiful on any screen size, and includes a prominent tap-to-call button so guests can dial your number with a single tap. It works perfectly on desktop browsers too.
Caller Insights
What caller information do I see?
For every voicemail, you see the caller's phone number, their city, state, and country (when available), the date and time of the call, and the duration of the recording. If transcription is enabled, you also see a text version of what they said.
How is the caller's location determined?
Location is determined from the caller's phone number using carrier data. For mobile phones, this shows the area where the number was originally registered. For landlines, it typically shows the exact city. International callers show country information.
Can I block unwanted callers?
Yes. If you receive spam calls or unwanted messages, you can block any phone number from your dashboard. Blocked numbers will hear a standard disconnect tone and cannot leave messages. You can unblock numbers at any time.
How does unique caller tracking work?
The system automatically tracks how many different phone numbers have called your event number. If the same person calls twice, they count as one unique caller. This gives you an accurate picture of how many individual guests participated.
Are caller insights available on all packages?
Basic caller information (phone number, location, call time, duration) is included on all packages. Advanced analytics like call distribution charts and busiest hour analysis are available on the Premium package.
Privacy & Security
Who can listen to my voicemails?
Only you. Your voicemails are accessible exclusively through your authenticated dashboard. We do not routinely access recordings and only do so when required for technical support or legal compliance. Your account is protected by your login credentials.
Where are recordings stored?
All audio files are stored on encrypted cloud servers (AWS S3) with industry-standard security. Files are accessed through signed URLs that expire quickly, so even if a link were shared, it would stop working within minutes.
Do you sell or share my data?
Never. We do not sell, share, or monetize your data in any way. Your voicemails, caller information, and account details are yours. We only use data to provide the service you signed up for.
How are payments secured?
All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 certified payment processor. We never see, store, or handle your full credit card number. Card details go directly to Stripe through their secure embedded form.
Weddings
Can guests call during the reception?
Absolutely! Many guests step aside for a few minutes during cocktail hour or between dances to call. Others call on the ride home or even the next day. The line is open whenever you want it to be.
How do we share the number with guests?
Include it on reception table cards, add it to your wedding website, print it on your program, or set up a sign with a QR code. We also provide a shareable event page link you can text or email.
How long do we have access to our messages?
Your messages are stored securely for 1 year from your purchase date. Download them anytime to keep on your own device. You can listen, download, and share them from your dashboard anytime during that window.
Can we play messages at the reception?
Yes! Some couples play a few surprise messages during the reception as part of the entertainment. You can also save them all for a private listening experience on the honeymoon.
Birthdays & Celebrations
Can I keep it secret from the birthday person?
Absolutely! Create the event yourself and share the number only with people you want to collect messages from. The birthday person doesn't need to know until you present the gift.
Can I play messages at the party?
Yes! Many people play the highlights during dinner, as a slideshow accompaniment, or as a surprise reveal. You can listen to all messages in your dashboard and pick your favorites to play.
What if it's for a retirement, not a birthday?
Phone Keepsakes works for any celebration — retirements, baby showers, graduations, going-away parties, or any milestone. Just create an event with the appropriate name and greeting.
How many messages can I collect?
There's no limit on the number of messages. Whether you get 5 or 500, they all appear in your dashboard with transcriptions and caller info.
Memorials
When should I set up the line?
As soon as you'd like. Many families set it up within hours of a passing, so that the number can be included in the obituary and service program. But there's no wrong time — you can start it weeks or months later too.
How long should I keep it active?
As long as you'd like. Some families keep the line active for a few weeks, others leave it open for months. Messages often continue arriving well after the service as people process their grief at their own pace.
Is it appropriate to include the number in the obituary?
Yes, many families do. A simple line like "To share a memory, call [number]" is a meaningful addition. It gives people who can't attend the service a way to participate.
Can I share the messages with other family members?
Absolutely. You can download any message as an audio file and share it however you'd like — email, text, or a shared folder. You can also share the event page link so family can listen together.
Corporate Events
Can I use the messages in marketing?
Yes! You own the recordings. Many organizations use voice testimonials in promotional materials, social media, and presentations. Just be sure to get consent from the callers as you would with any testimonial.
How do we distribute the number at a conference?
Include it in the event program, display it on screens between sessions, print it on table tents, or set up a dedicated "voice feedback station" with signage and a QR code. We also provide a shareable event page link.
Can multiple people manage the event?
The event owner manages the dashboard and all recordings. You can share access by sharing your login credentials or by downloading and distributing the audio files with your team.
Is there a package for large organizations?
Our Premium package supports unlimited voicemails and extended phone number rental. For very large events or ongoing organizational needs, reach out to us through the contact page.
Still Have Questions?
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