Delete voice messages one at a time, or wipe them all at once through Settings
The fastest way to delete all voice messages on iPhone is to go to Settings > Phone > Voicemail > Delete All Voicemails. This removes every voicemail stored on your device in one action. If you want to keep some messages and delete only specific ones, you can open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, swipe left on any message, and tap Delete.
The distinction matters for privacy: deleting from your phone does not delete the message from your carrier's server. Your voicemail provider (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another carrier) keeps a copy on their systems. If you want those messages gone from the carrier side too, you need a separate step.
iPhone stores voicemails in two places at once — on your device and on your carrier's network. Understanding which one you are clearing helps you make the right choice about what stays private and what remains recoverable.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting voicemails from your iPhone's Phone app only removes them from your device, not from your carrier's servers.
- Use Settings > Phone > Voicemail > Delete All Voicemails to remove all messages from your phone at once.
- To delete voicemails from your carrier's system, call your voicemail box directly, enter your PIN, and use the carrier's menu options to delete messages.
- Deleted voicemails may be recoverable from your carrier for a limited time, depending on your provider's retention policy.
- If you sell or give away your iPhone, erasing it completely through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings removes voicemails along with everything else.
Why your carrier keeps a copy of every voicemail
When someone leaves you a voicemail, your carrier records it and stores it on their network. Your iPhone downloads a copy to your device so you can listen without calling in. The two copies exist independently — deleting one does not touch the other.
Carriers store voicemails for business and legal reasons. They need records for billing disputes, law enforcement requests, and customer service issues. The length of time they keep messages varies: some carriers hold them for 30 days after you delete them, others for up to 90 days. A few carriers do not set a public retention window at all.
This matters if you are concerned about privacy. Deleting a voicemail from your phone gives you peace of mind locally, but the message still exists on your carrier's servers. If someone gains access to your carrier account, they can still retrieve it.
Delete voicemails from your phone using the Phone app
Open the Phone app on your home screen. Tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right. You will see a list of all voicemails stored on your device, with the most recent at the top.
To delete a single message, swipe left on it. A red Delete button appears on the right side. Tap it. The message is removed from your phone when ready.
To delete multiple messages at once without using the Settings menu, tap Edit in the upper left corner of the voicemail list. Tap the circle next to each message you want to remove — a checkmark appears. Then tap Delete in the lower right. This removes all selected messages from your device in one action.
Delete all voicemails at once through Settings
Go to Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Phone. Tap Voicemail. You will see an option labeled Delete All Voicemails near the bottom of the screen.
Tap Delete All Voicemails. iPhone will ask you to confirm. Tap Delete All again. Every voicemail on your device is removed when ready. This action cannot be undone from this menu — the messages are gone from your phone.
This method is faster than deleting messages one by one, but it removes everything without a second chance to change your mind. If you think you might want to keep some messages, use the Phone app method instead so you can be selective.
Delete voicemails from your carrier's system
To remove voicemails from your carrier's servers, you must call your voicemail box directly. Open the Phone app and press and hold the 1 key. This dials your voicemail number automatically. If that does not work, dial your carrier's voicemail access number manually — you can find it on your carrier's website or your phone bill.
Enter your voicemail PIN when prompted. Navigate the voicemail menu using the keypad. Most carriers use 7 to delete the current message and 9 to delete all messages. The exact keys vary by carrier, so listen to the menu options carefully or check your carrier's website for the correct commands.
After you delete messages from your carrier's system, they are removed from their servers. Depending on your carrier's retention policy, they may keep a backup copy for a short time (typically 30 to 90 days), but the messages are no longer accessible through your voicemail account.
What happens when you sell or give away your iPhone
If you are getting rid of your iPhone, deleting voicemails from the Phone app is not enough. The new owner could potentially recover deleted messages using data recovery tools, or they might access your voicemail account if you do not remove it from the device.
To fully erase your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes your entire device, including all voicemails, photos, messages, and other data. It also removes your Apple ID and carrier account information from the phone.
Before you erase, back up anything you want to keep. Use Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup to save your data to iCloud, or connect to a computer and use Finder or iTunes. After the backup is complete, you can safely erase the phone.
Voicemail retention and recovery
Once you delete a voicemail from your carrier's system, it is usually gone for good within their stated retention window. However, carriers may hold deleted messages in a backup system for a limited time. Verizon, for example, states that deleted voicemails may be recoverable for up to 30 days. AT&T and T-Mobile do not publish specific retention times for deleted messages.
If you need to recover a deleted voicemail, contact your carrier's customer service within a few days of deletion. Explain that you accidentally deleted a message and ask if they can restore it. They may be able to retrieve it from their backup, but there is no may provide, and the window for recovery is short.
For sensitive voicemails, do not rely on deletion alone. If a message contains information you want completely gone, delete it from both your phone and your carrier's system as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the less time the carrier has to back it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a voicemail from my iPhone delete it from my carrier too?
No. Deleting from your phone only removes the copy stored on your device. Your carrier keeps a separate copy on their servers. To delete from the carrier side, you must call your voicemail box and use their menu to delete the message.
Can someone recover my voicemails after I delete them?
From your phone: possibly, using data recovery software, if the phone has not been erased. From your carrier: possibly, for a limited time (usually 30 to 90 days), if they have a backup system. To prevent recovery, erase your phone completely before selling it, and delete messages from your carrier when ready.
What is my carrier's voicemail access number?
Press and hold 1 in the Phone app to dial it automatically. If that does not work, check your carrier's website or your phone bill. Verizon uses 1-908-927-0001, AT&T uses 1-800-331-0500, and T-Mobile uses 1-805-404-1965, but these numbers change and vary by region.
If I delete all voicemails from Settings, can I undo it?
No. The deletion is permanent on your device. However, your carrier may still have a copy. If you need to recover a message, contact your carrier within a few days and ask if they can restore it from their backup system.
Do I need to delete voicemails before trading in my iPhone?
You should erase your entire phone using Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes voicemails, messages, photos, and all personal data at once, and it is more find than deleting individual items.