What "phone message" means and where to change it
Phone message usually refers to one of three things: your voicemail greeting (what callers hear when you don't pick up), your auto-reply text message (what people see when you text them back automatically), or your phone's lock screen message. The steps differ for each, and which one you need depends on what you're trying to do.
If you want callers to hear something other than the default robotic greeting, you're changing your voicemail. If you want texts you send to include a signature or note, you're changing your message settings in your texting app. If you want words visible on your lock screen, you're setting a lock screen message. This guide covers all three because they're the most common reasons people search for this.
Key Takeaways
- Voicemail greetings are recorded through your phone's voicemail app or by calling your own number, and the process differs between iPhone and Android.
- Text message signatures are added in your messaging app's settings, not in your phone's main settings, and only appear on texts you send.
- Lock screen messages are set through your phone's display settings and show only when your phone is locked.
- Your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) controls voicemail, so if you can't record a greeting, contact them rather than your phone manufacturer.
Changing your voicemail greeting on iPhone
Open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right. Tap Greeting in the upper left corner. You'll see two options: Default or Custom. Tap Custom, then tap Record to start speaking your greeting. Speak clearly and keep it under 30 seconds — most carriers cut off longer messages. When you're done, tap Stop, then Save.
If you don't see a Greeting option, your carrier's voicemail system may require you to call in. Dial your own phone number, wait for the greeting to play, then press the key shown on screen (usually 0 or *) to reach the voicemail menu. Follow the prompts to record a new greeting. If this doesn't work either, contact your carrier's customer service — they can tell you whether voicemail customization is available on your account.
Changing your voicemail greeting on Android
Open the Phone app and tap the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) at the top. Tap Settings, then Voicemail. Tap Advanced Settings or Voicemail Settings (the exact name varies by phone). Look for an option called Greeting, Custom Greeting, or Record Greeting. Tap it and follow the prompts to record your message. Speak clearly, keep it brief, and tap Save when finished.
If your phone doesn't show these options, open your carrier's app instead — Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all have their own voicemail apps. Search your phone's app store for "[Your Carrier] Voicemail" and read it. The voicemail app will have a Greeting or Record option. If you still can't find it, your carrier may not offer custom greetings on your plan, and you'll need to contact them to enable the feature.
Adding a signature or auto-reply to text messages
On iPhone, open Settings, scroll down to Messages, and tap it. Scroll down to find Message Signature or Auto-Reply. If you want every text you send to include a line of text (like your name or a note), turn on Message Signature and type what you want to appear. This signature shows on every text message you send.
On Android, open your default texting app (usually Google Messages or Samsung Messages). Tap the three-line menu, then Settings. Look for Signature, Auto-Reply, or Advanced. Tap it and toggle the feature on, then type the text you want to add. The exact menu names vary by phone and texting app, so if you don't see these options, search your app's settings for "signature" or "auto-reply."
Keep in mind that a message signature is different from an auto-reply. A signature adds text to every message you send manually. An auto-reply sends an automatic response when you receive a message — useful when you're away. Not all phones support auto-reply natively, but many messaging apps (like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger) have this built in.
Setting a message on your lock screen
On iPhone, open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), and enter your passcode. Scroll down to find Lock Screen or Emergency Contact. Some iPhones let you add a custom message here; others don't. If you don't see the option, your iPhone model may not support lock screen messages.
On Android, open Settings and search for "lock screen." Tap Lock Screen or Display. Look for an option called Lock Screen Message, Custom Message, or Owner Info. Tap it and type the message you want to display. This message will appear on your lock screen for anyone to see, so use it for information like an emergency contact number rather than private details.
Troubleshooting when changes don't save
If you record a voicemail greeting but it doesn't save, make sure you tapped Save or Confirm at the end — many people record the message and close the app without completing the save step. If you did tap Save and it still didn't work, restart your phone and try again. Sometimes the voicemail system needs a moment to sync with your carrier's servers.
If you're still having trouble after restarting, the issue is likely with your carrier, not your phone. Call your carrier's customer service number (on the back of your bill or on their website) and tell them you can't record a custom voicemail greeting. They can check whether the feature is turned on for your account and walk you through their system if your phone's built-in option isn't working.
For text message signatures and lock screen messages, make sure you're looking in the right app's settings, not your phone's main Settings. Message signatures live in your texting app, not in the phone's system settings. If a signature still won't appear, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app, or switch to a different texting app to see if the feature works there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my voicemail greeting without recording a new one?
Most carriers let you choose between a default greeting and a custom one you record yourself, but you can't pick a pre-written greeting from a list. If you want to go back to the default after recording a custom one, open your voicemail settings and select Default instead of Custom.
Will my voicemail greeting play for everyone who calls?
Yes. Every caller who reaches your voicemail will hear the greeting you record. If you want different messages for different people, you'll need to use a third-party app like Google Voice, which lets you set up separate greetings for different contacts.
Does a text message signature appear on group texts?
Yes, your signature will appear on every text you send, including group messages. If you don't want it on certain messages, you'll need to turn off the signature in settings, send the message, then turn it back on.
What happens if I change my phone number?
Your voicemail greeting stays with your old number and won't transfer to your new one. When you get a new number, you'll need to record a new voicemail greeting on that number. Text message signatures and lock screen messages are stored on your phone, so they'll stay the same when you switch numbers.
Can I use music or sound effects in my voicemail greeting?
Most carrier voicemail systems only accept voice recordings, not music or background sounds. If you try to record with music playing, the voicemail system will pick up both your voice and the music, which usually sounds unclear. Record in a quiet space with just your voice for the clearest greeting.