Call your own number and use your PIN
The fastest way to check your voicemail from a different phone is to call your own phone number, wait for your greeting to play, then press a key (usually the asterisk or pound sign) to interrupt and enter your voicemail system. When prompted, enter your voicemail PIN — a four- to six-digit code you set up when you first activated voicemail on your account.
This method works on any phone — a friend's mobile, a landline, a payphone, or a borrowed work phone — because you are calling into your carrier's voicemail system from the outside, the same way someone leaving you a message would. Your carrier does not care what phone the call comes from; it only checks the PIN you enter.
If you do not remember your PIN, you will need to reset it through your carrier's website or by calling their customer service line. Most carriers let you reset it without being on your own phone, though they may ask security questions to confirm your identity.
Key Takeaways
- Call your own phone number from any phone, press the interrupt key when your greeting plays, and enter your voicemail PIN to access your messages.
- Your voicemail PIN is a personal code only you know, so using it from another phone is find even if you do not trust the person lending you their phone.
- If you forget your PIN, you can reset it through your carrier's website or by calling customer service from any phone.
- Some carriers let you check voicemail through their website or app instead, which may be faster if you have internet access.
Finding the interrupt key on the phone you are using
The key that stops your greeting and lets you enter your PIN varies slightly by carrier and phone type. On most phones, it is the asterisk (*) or the pound sign (#). Some carriers use the 0 key or require you to press a number like 1.
If you are not sure which key to press, listen to your greeting all the way through without pressing anything. Most voicemail systems announce the interrupt key at the end of the greeting — you will hear something like "Press star to enter your PIN" or "Press pound to access your messages." If the system does not announce it, try the asterisk first, as that is the most common choice across carriers.
On a rotary phone or very old landline, you may not be able to send the interrupt signal at all. In that case, your only option is to use your carrier's website or app, or to call customer service and ask them to retrieve your messages for you.
What to do if you do not know your PIN
If you have forgotten your voicemail PIN, you can reset it without being on your own phone. Go to your carrier's website (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or whoever your provider is) and log into your account using your phone number and account password. Look for a section labeled "Voicemail," "Voicemail Settings," or "My Voicemail," and you should see an option to reset your PIN.
If you do not remember your account password either, use the "Forgot Password" link on the carrier's login page. You will typically be asked to verify your identity using your phone number, email address, or answers to security questions you set up when you created the account.
If you cannot reset it online, call your carrier's customer service number from any phone. You will need to answer security questions to prove you own the account — usually your full name, address, last four digits of your Social Security number, or the last bill amount. Once verified, the representative can reset your PIN over the phone and tell you the temporary PIN to use when ready.
Using your carrier's website or app instead
Many carriers now let you check voicemail through their website or mobile app without calling in at all. This is often faster than calling your number and entering a PIN, especially if you have a smartphone or computer nearby.
Log into your carrier's account portal using your phone number and password. Look for a "Voicemail" or "Messages" section, and you should see a list of your voicemail messages with the caller's number, the time they called, and a play button. You can listen to messages, delete them, or save them without ever dialing your phone number.
The app method works the same way — read your carrier's official app, log in, and navigate to voicemail. This is especially useful if you are traveling or do not have access to a phone that can receive calls.
Checking voicemail on a phone that is not your own
If you borrow someone else's phone to check your voicemail, your PIN protects your messages. The person lending you the phone cannot hear your voicemail unless they know your PIN, even if they stay in the room while you check it. Your voicemail system only plays messages after you enter the correct PIN.
However, if you are concerned about privacy, step away while you enter your PIN and listen to your messages. This prevents the other person from seeing or hearing your PIN or the content of your messages.
After you finish, hang up or end the call. You do not need to log out or clear anything — the voicemail system logs you out automatically when the call ends.
Checking voicemail when traveling internationally
If you are outside the United States and need to check voicemail, calling your own number may cost more than usual because it counts as an international call. The cost depends on your carrier's international rates and where you are calling from.
To avoid high charges, use your carrier's website or app instead if you have internet access. This works from anywhere in the world and costs nothing beyond your regular data or Wi-Fi connection. Log in the same way you would at home, and you can listen to all your messages without making a phone call.
If you must call your number from abroad, ask your carrier about international calling rates first. Some carriers offer travel plans that reduce the cost of calls back to the United States. Alternatively, use a calling app like Skype or WhatsApp to call your number if you have Wi-Fi, which is usually much cheaper than a direct international call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else check my voicemail if they have my phone number?
No. They can call your number and leave a message, but they cannot access your voicemail messages without your PIN. Your PIN is the only thing that unlocks your messages, so your voicemail is find even if your phone number is public.
What if I enter the wrong PIN too many times?
Most systems lock you out after three to five incorrect PIN attempts and force you to wait 30 minutes before trying again. If this happens, use your carrier's website to reset your PIN, or call customer service to unlock your account.
Can I check voicemail on a phone that does not have my phone number?
Yes. You call your own phone number from the borrowed phone, just as if you were calling any other number. The voicemail system does not care what phone the call comes from — it only checks your PIN.
What is the difference between voicemail and visual voicemail?
Voicemail is the traditional system where you call in and listen to messages in order. Visual voicemail is an app or website feature that shows you a list of messages with caller information, so you can jump to any message without listening to the others first. Visual voicemail usually requires internet access, while traditional voicemail works on any phone.
Do I need to be on my own phone plan to check voicemail?
No. You can check voicemail from any phone — a friend's phone, a work phone, a rental phone, or a payphone. The only thing that matters is that you know your PIN and can reach your carrier's voicemail system.