Where to find your voicemail

Your voicemail lives in your phone's built-in voicemail app or through your carrier's system. On most phones, you open the Phone app, look for a Voicemail tab or icon (usually at the bottom), and tap it. The exact location depends on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone and which carrier you use.

If you do not see a Voicemail tab in your Phone app, your carrier may require you to dial a specific number to check messages. For most carriers, dialing 1 followed by your own phone number works — for example, 1-555-123-4567. Your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) can confirm the exact code for your account.

Some carriers also let you check voicemail through their website or a dedicated app. Verizon has the My Verizon app, AT&T has the AT&T Mobile app, and T-Mobile has the T-Mobile app. You can log in with your account details and see your messages there instead of on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Most phones have a Voicemail tab in the Phone app where you can listen to messages without dialing anything.
  • If your phone does not show a Voicemail tab, dial 1 plus your own phone number to reach your carrier's voicemail system.
  • Your carrier's website or mobile app often lets you check voicemail, read transcripts, and delete old messages without using your phone's dialer.
  • Voicemail transcripts can help you spot scams — if a message claims to be from your bank but the transcript has odd phrasing or grammar, it is likely fraudulent.

Checking voicemail on iPhone

Open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right. You will see a list of your messages with the caller's name or number, the time they called, and how long the message is. Tap any message to listen to it.

While listening, you can delete the message by tapping the trash icon, save it by tapping the heart icon, or call the person back by tapping the callback arrow. If you want to hear the message again, tap the play button. To delete all old messages at once, scroll to the bottom and tap "Delete All Old Voicemails."

Checking voicemail on Android

Open the Phone app and look for a Voicemail tab or icon — it may say "Voicemail," show a cassette tape symbol, or appear as a menu option. Tap it to see your list of messages. Tap any message to play it.

While the message plays, you can delete it, save it, or return the call. If your phone does not have a Voicemail tab, open the Phone app, tap the menu (three dots), and look for Voicemail settings. Some Android phones require you to dial your carrier's voicemail number instead — usually 1 plus your phone number, or a number listed in your carrier's help section.

Using your carrier's voicemail system

If you cannot find voicemail in your phone's app, you can always dial your carrier's voicemail number from any phone. Press and hold the 1 key on your phone's keypad — this is a shortcut that dials your carrier's voicemail system. You will be prompted to enter your PIN (usually your last four digits or a number you set up when you first got your phone).

Once you are logged in, you can listen to messages, delete them, save them, or hear options to forward them. The system will read the date and time each message arrived. If you forget your PIN, call your carrier's customer service line to reset it.

Reading voicemail transcripts to spot scams

Many carriers now offer voicemail-to-text transcripts, which convert the spoken message into written words. You can read these transcripts in your voicemail app without listening to the audio. This is useful for spotting scams because fraudulent messages often have telltale signs: awkward phrasing, grammar mistakes, or requests that do not match how a real bank or company would contact you.

If a transcript says something like "Your account has been compromised, click the link when ready" or has multiple spelling errors, it is almost certainly a scam. Real banks and companies use clear, professional language and do not ask you to click links or provide information over the phone. If you are unsure, hang up and call the company directly using the number on your statement or their official website — never use a number from the voicemail message itself.

Organizing and deleting old messages

Voicemail takes up storage space on your carrier's system, not on your phone itself, so deleting messages does not free up phone storage. However, most carriers keep old messages for only 14 to 30 days before deleting them automatically. If you want to keep a message longer, save it or take a note of the information before it disappears.

To delete a message, tap it and select the delete or trash option. To delete multiple messages at once, many voicemail apps let you select several and delete them together. Check your voicemail app's menu for a "delete all" or "delete old messages" option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my voicemail PIN and how do I change it?

Your voicemail PIN is a security code you set up when you first activated your phone service, usually your last four digits or a number you chose. To change it, call your carrier's customer service number or log into your account on their website. You can also dial your carrier's voicemail system, press the menu option for settings, and follow the prompts to change your PIN.

Can I listen to voicemail from a different phone?

Yes. Dial your own phone number from any phone, and when your voicemail picks up, press the star or pound key to interrupt the greeting. Enter your PIN, and you can listen to your messages. This works whether you are using a landline, another cell phone, or a phone at someone else's house.

Why am I not receiving voicemail notifications?

Check that voicemail notifications are turned on in your phone's settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Phone and make sure Voicemail is enabled. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the menu, go to Settings > Notifications, and turn on voicemail alerts. If notifications are on but you still do not see them, restart your phone or contact your carrier to make sure voicemail is active on your account.

Can I save a voicemail message permanently?

Most carriers keep voicemail for 14 to 30 days, then delete it. To keep a message longer, save it in your voicemail app (usually by tapping a heart or star icon), or record it by playing it out loud and using your phone's voice memo app. Some carriers offer voicemail-to-email services that send you a copy of each message, which you can then save in your email.