Which file format does my phone system need?

What does each phone system get?

• RingCentral: 8 kHz WAV and MP3. RingCentral takes WAV or MP3 and recommends 8 kHz, 16-bit mono.
• Zoom Phone: 8 kHz WAV and MP3. Zoom Phone takes MP3 or WAV files under 10 MB.
• Microsoft Teams: 16 kHz WAV and MP3. Teams takes WAV, WMA and MP3 files up to 5 MB.
• Dialpad: 8 kHz WAV and MP3. Dialpad's voicemail uploads are MP3, up to 10 MB and 45 seconds.
• Google Voice: MP3. Google doesn't publish its formats or limits, so we send MP3, the safest choice.
• 3CX: 8 kHz WAV (16-bit, mono).
• Cisco and older office phone systems (PBX): 8 kHz µ-law WAV.
• Grasshopper, Nextiva, 8x8, OpenPhone and Vonage: 8 kHz WAV and MP3.
• Cell phone voicemail (iPhone and Android): MP3, which you play aloud while your phone records. Carrier voicemail doesn't take uploads.
• Other / not sure: one zip with every format (8 kHz WAV, 8 kHz µ-law WAV, 16 kHz WAV and MP3).

Why do phone systems use 8 kHz audio?

Phone calls carry a narrow band of sound, so most phone systems store greetings at 8 kHz. A file that's already at the right rate doesn't need converting when you upload it.

We also set the volume to a level phone lines handle cleanly, so your greeting doesn't clip or distort.

Which file should I upload?

If your download has both a WAV and an MP3, try the WAV first. If your system won't take it, upload the MP3. The setup guide for your system has the exact steps: see all setup guides.

Picked the wrong phone system at checkout? Email support@voicegreetingstudio.com with your order number and the system you use, and we'll help.