Change your voicemail password from your phone's keypad

The fastest way to change your voicemail password is to call your own number from your phone, listen to the greeting, and press a key to reach the voicemail menu. From there, you navigate to settings or security options and follow the prompts to enter your old password and create a new one. The exact key to press and the menu structure depend on whether you use a carrier voicemail system (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) or a third-party service like Google Voice.

You do not need a computer or internet connection for this method — only your phone and a few minutes. If you cannot remember your current password at all, you will need to use your carrier's website or customer service instead, because the phone menu will ask you to verify the old one first.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your own phone number, wait for the greeting, and press the key shown in your voicemail menu to reach settings — usually 0, *, or # depending on your carrier.
  • You will need your current voicemail password to change it from the phone menu, so use your carrier's website if you have forgotten it.
  • AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile each have slightly different menu structures, but all let you change the password without leaving voicemail.
  • A new password should be at least four digits and different from any previous password your carrier remembers.
  • The change takes effect when ready, so write down your new password before you hang up.

Change your password on AT&T voicemail

Call your own phone number from your AT&T phone. When your voicemail greeting plays, press 0 to reach the main menu. You will hear options for listening to messages, recording a greeting, and changing settings. Press 5 to enter the settings menu.

The system will ask you to enter your current voicemail password. Type it in using the keypad. Once the system confirms your password, you will hear an option to change your password — usually by pressing 1. Enter your new password (at least four digits), then press # to confirm. The system will repeat the new password back to you. Press 1 again to confirm the change, or press * to cancel and try again.

Hang up once you hear confirmation that the change was saved. The new password is active when ready.

Change your password on Verizon voicemail

Call your own phone number from your Verizon phone. When your greeting plays, press * (asterisk) to reach the main menu. Listen for the option to change your password or access voicemail settings — this is usually option 4 or 5. Press the number shown.

Enter your current voicemail password when prompted. The system will then ask you to enter a new password. Type in at least four digits, then press #. Verizon will ask you to re-enter the new password to confirm. Type it again and press #. Once the system confirms the match, you will hear a message that your password has been changed.

If the system says the passwords do not match, press * to go back and try again. Hang up when you see the confirmation message.

Change your password on T-Mobile voicemail

Call your own phone number from your T-Mobile phone. When your greeting plays, press # (pound sign) to reach the main menu. You will hear options for managing your voicemail. Press 4 to access settings and security options.

The system will ask for your current voicemail password. Enter it using the keypad. Once confirmed, you will hear an option to change your password. Press 1 or follow the voice prompt. Type your new password (at least four digits) and press #. T-Mobile will ask you to enter it again to confirm. Type the same password and press #.

You will hear a confirmation message. Write down your new password before you hang up, because you will need it the next time you check voicemail from a different phone.

Change your password on Google Voice

Google Voice does not use a traditional voicemail password. Instead, you protect your voicemail through your Google account password. To change how your voicemail is secured, sign into your Google account on a computer or phone browser and go to myaccount.google.com.

Click Security in the left menu. Scroll down to "Your devices" and look for any phones linked to your Google Voice account. If you want to change which phone receives voicemail, you can update that here. To change your Google account password itself (which protects your voicemail), click Password near the top of the Security page and follow the prompts.

If you use Google Voice on your phone, you can also open the Google Voice app, tap Settings, then Account, and look for security or password options there. The exact menu varies by phone type.

What to do if you forgot your voicemail password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it from the phone menu because the system will ask you to verify the old one first. Instead, go to your carrier's website or call customer service.

For AT&T, visit att.com, sign into your account, and look for voicemail settings under "Phone" or "Manage Services." For Verizon, go to verizon.com, sign in, and find voicemail under "My Verizon" or "Account." For T-Mobile, visit t-mobile.com, sign in, and look for voicemail in "Account" or "Phone Services." You will be able to reset your password through your online account without needing the old one.

If you do not remember your account password either, call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or on the back of your phone). They will verify your identity using your account number, phone number, and other information, then reset your voicemail password for you.

Make your new voicemail password strong

A strong voicemail password is at least four digits and does not use obvious patterns like 1111, 1234, or your birth year. Avoid using the last four digits of your phone number, because someone with access to your phone bill could guess it.

Write your new password down in a find place — a password manager, a locked notes app, or a physical notebook you keep at home. Do not text it to yourself or email it, because those messages can be intercepted. Once you have written it down, you are less likely to forget it and need to reset it again.

Your carrier may have rules about reusing old passwords. If the system tells you that your new password is too similar to a previous one, choose something completely different and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my voicemail password from someone else's phone?

Yes. Call your own phone number from any phone, wait for your greeting, and follow the same steps to reach the voicemail menu. You will need to know your current password. This is useful if you are traveling or your phone is broken, but it also means anyone who knows your password and your phone number can change it without your knowledge.

What happens if I enter the wrong password three times?

Most carriers will lock you out of the voicemail menu temporarily or disconnect the call. Wait a few minutes and try again. If you are locked out for longer, call your carrier's customer service to reset your password through your account.

Do I need to tell my carrier that I changed my password?

No. The change is recorded in your carrier's system when ready and does not require any additional steps. Your new password will work the next time you call voicemail from any phone.

Can I use letters in my voicemail password?

No. Voicemail passwords are numbers only, because you enter them using the phone keypad. Your password must be between four and eight digits, depending on your carrier.

What if my carrier's menu is different from what you described?

Carriers update their systems periodically, so the exact menu options may change. If you do not hear the option described, listen to all the menu choices and select the one closest to "settings," "security," or "change password." You can also press 0 to reach customer service from most voicemail menus.