The fastest way to hear your messages

To check your Verizon voicemail, press and hold the 1 key on your phone's keypad. Your phone will dial your voicemail box automatically. When prompted, enter your voicemail PIN (usually the last four digits of your phone number, unless you changed it). After you log in, you'll hear your messages in the order they arrived.

If you're calling from a different phone, dial your own Verizon number, wait for the greeting to finish, then press the * key during the greeting. This takes you straight to the PIN prompt instead of leaving a message.

You don't need a computer or app to check voicemail this way — it works from any phone, anywhere. This method is especially useful if you're traveling, borrowing someone else's phone, or your smartphone isn't working.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold 1 on your Verizon phone to reach voicemail, then enter your PIN when prompted.
  • From another phone, dial your own Verizon number and press * during the greeting to skip the message and reach the PIN prompt.
  • Your PIN is usually your last four digits unless you created a custom one in your account settings.
  • The My Verizon app and Verizon.com let you listen to voicemail through your computer or smartphone without calling in.

Checking voicemail through the My Verizon app

Open the My Verizon app on your smartphone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "Voicemail" from the menu. You'll see a list of all your voicemail messages with the date and time each arrived. Tap any message to play it.

This method is useful because you can see who called before you listen, delete messages without hearing them, and save important ones. You can also replay a message as many times as you need without having to call back into the system.

The app works on both iPhone and Android. If you haven't downloaded it yet, search for "My Verizon" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install it for free.

Checking voicemail on Verizon.com

Go to Verizon.com and sign into your account using your phone number and password. Click on your profile icon in the top right, then select "Voicemail" from the dropdown menu. You'll see your voicemail messages listed with the caller's number or name (if saved in your contacts) and the time the call came in.

Click the play button next to any message to listen through your computer's speakers. This option works best if you're at a desk and want to hear messages without using your phone's minutes or data.

If you forget your Verizon password, click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in page. Verizon will send a reset link to the email address on file for your account.

Resetting a forgotten voicemail PIN

If you don't remember your PIN, call Verizon customer service at 611 from your Verizon phone, or 1-908-559-4899 from any phone. Tell the representative you need to reset your voicemail PIN. They'll verify your identity by asking for your account number, the phone number on the account, or the last four digits of the Social Security number associated with the account.

After verification, the representative will reset your PIN back to the default (usually your last four digits). You can then create a new custom PIN the next time you log into voicemail. When you hear the prompt "To change your PIN, press 5," follow those instructions to set a PIN you'll remember.

Keep your new PIN somewhere safe but not written on your phone itself. A PIN that's straightforward for you to remember but hard for others to guess is best — avoid birthdays or sequential numbers like 1234.

Understanding voicemail notifications

Verizon sends you a notification when you receive a voicemail. On your phone, you'll see a voicemail icon appear in the status bar at the top of the screen. Some Verizon plans also include visual voicemail, which transcribes your messages into text so you can read them instead of listening.

If visual voicemail is turned on for your account, you'll see a transcript of each message in the My Verizon app or on Verizon.com, along with the audio. The transcription isn't always perfect — accents, background noise, and technical terms sometimes get misheard — but it gives you a quick way to decide which messages need your when ready attention.

You can turn visual voicemail on or off in your My Verizon account settings. Look for "Voicemail settings" or "Visual voicemail" in the preferences section.

What to do if you're not receiving voicemail notifications

If calls are going to voicemail but you're not getting a notification, first check that voicemail is turned on in your phone's settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Voicemail and make sure the toggle is on. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the menu icon, select Settings, then Voicemail, and confirm it's enabled.

Next, check that your Verizon account hasn't reached its voicemail storage limit. If you have hundreds of old messages saved, your voicemail box may be full and unable to accept new messages. Delete old messages you no longer need by calling into voicemail and pressing 3 to delete, or by using the My Verizon app to delete them in bulk.

If notifications are still not coming through after checking these settings, restart your phone. If the problem continues, contact Verizon customer service at 611 from your phone or 1-908-559-4899 from any phone to have a representative check your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to my Verizon voicemail from my computer?

Yes. Sign into your account at Verizon.com, go to your profile menu, select Voicemail, and click the play button next to any message. You can listen through your computer's speakers or headphones. This works from any computer with internet access.

What happens if I don't check my voicemail for a long time?

Verizon keeps voicemail messages for about 30 days. After that, old messages are automatically deleted. If you have a message you want to keep permanently, write down the information or save it to a note on your phone before the 30 days pass.

Can I change my voicemail greeting?

Yes. Call your voicemail by pressing and holding 1, enter your PIN, then press 4 to record a new greeting. You can record a personal message or use Verizon's default greeting. The system will ask you to confirm the recording before saving it.

Is there a charge for checking voicemail?

No. Checking voicemail by calling in, using the My Verizon app, or listening on Verizon.com is included with your plan at no extra cost. Calling in from your Verizon phone uses your minutes only if you have a limited plan, but most modern Verizon plans include unlimited calling.

What if someone is leaving me threatening or harassing voicemails?

Save the message without deleting it — you may need it as evidence. Note the date and time it arrived. Contact local police and provide them with the message. You can also contact Verizon customer service to report the caller and ask about blocking their number from reaching you in the future.