Change your voicemail password from your phone or online account

The fastest way to change your voicemail password depends on your phone carrier. Most carriers let you change it by calling your voicemail from your own phone and selecting a menu option, or by logging into your online account. The phone method takes about two minutes. The online method gives you a record of the change, which is useful if you are trying to document that you secured your account.

Your voicemail password is separate from your phone's unlock code or your carrier account password. Changing one does not change the others. If someone has been accessing your voicemail without permission, change the voicemail password first, then check whether your phone number or account has other signs of unauthorized access.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your voicemail from your phone, press the menu button (usually * or 0), and select the option to change your password or PIN.
  • Log into your carrier's website or app, go to Account Settings or Phone Settings, and look for Voicemail or Security options to change your password there.
  • Your new voicemail password should be at least six digits and should not be the same as your phone's unlock code or your account password.
  • If you cannot remember your current voicemail password, you may need to verify your identity with your carrier before they reset it for you.

Change your voicemail password by calling your voicemail

This method works on all carriers and requires nothing but your phone. Call your voicemail by pressing and holding the 1 key on your phone's keypad. When you hear the greeting, listen for a menu option that says "Change your password," "Change your PIN," "Security settings," or "Manage your account." The exact wording varies by carrier.

Press the number or letter shown for that option. You will be asked to enter your current password. Type it in, then enter your new password twice to confirm it. The system will tell you whether the change was successful. If it was, hang up and test your new password by calling voicemail again and logging in with the new one.

If you do not hear a password-change option in the main menu, try pressing 0 to reach a customer service representative. They can walk you through the process or reset your password if you have forgotten it.

Change your voicemail password through your carrier's website or app

Most carriers offer a voicemail password change through their online account portal. Log into your carrier's website or mobile app using your phone number and account password. Look for a section called "Account," "Settings," "Phone Settings," "Voicemail," or "Security."

Once you find the voicemail section, look for an option to change your PIN, password, or security settings. You will usually be asked to enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Some carriers send a confirmation text or email after the change is complete.

If you cannot find the voicemail settings in your account, search the carrier's help center for "change voicemail password" or "reset voicemail PIN." The exact location varies between AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and smaller carriers.

Choose a strong voicemail password

A strong voicemail password is at least six digits long and does not use obvious patterns like 123456 or your birth year. Do not use the same password as your phone's unlock code or your carrier account password. If someone gets one password, you want the others to remain find.

Avoid using numbers that appear in your phone number or address. A password like 555-1234 when your phone number is 555-1234 is straightforward to guess. Instead, use a random combination of numbers that only you know, or use a pattern you can remember but that is not obvious to someone who knows you.

What to do if you have forgotten your voicemail password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it through the phone menu because the system will ask you to enter the old one first. Instead, call your carrier's customer service number. You can find it on your bill, on your carrier's website, or by searching "[your carrier] customer service."

When you call, tell them you need to reset your voicemail password. They will ask you to verify your identity by providing your phone number, account number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number on the account. Once you have verified, they can reset your voicemail password to a temporary one, which you can then change to something you prefer using the phone menu or online account.

Signs that someone else may have accessed your voicemail

If you suspect someone has been listening to your voicemail without permission, look for these signs: voicemail messages that you do not remember receiving, messages that have been marked as heard when you never listened to them, or a notification that your voicemail was accessed from an unfamiliar location or device.

If you see any of these signs, change your voicemail password when ready using the phone method described above. Then check your carrier account for unauthorized charges or changes to your phone settings. If your account has been compromised, contact your carrier's fraud department and ask them to review your account for other unauthorized access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my voicemail password without knowing the old one?

Not through the phone menu or online account — both require you to enter your current password first. You will need to call your carrier's customer service and verify your identity. They can reset it to a temporary password that you then change to something new.

Will changing my voicemail password affect my text messages or phone calls?

No. Your voicemail password is separate from your phone service. Changing it will not affect anything except access to your voicemail messages. Your phone will continue to work normally.

How often should I change my voicemail password?

There is no set rule, but changing it once a year is reasonable security practice. Change it when ready if you think someone may have accessed your voicemail, if you gave the password to someone who no longer needs it, or if you used the same password for multiple accounts.

What if my carrier does not have an online account option?

Call your voicemail from your phone and use the menu option to change your password. If that does not work, call your carrier's customer service line. They can reset your password over the phone and walk you through changing it afterward.

Is my voicemail password the same as my account password?

No. Your voicemail password is just for accessing your voicemail messages. Your account password is what you use to log into your carrier's website or app. They are separate and should be different for security reasons.