The fastest way to check your messages
Call your own Verizon number from any phone and press * when you hear your greeting. You will be prompted to enter your voicemail password. This works from a landline, another cell phone, or even a payphone — you do not need to be on your Verizon account to listen to your messages this way.
If you are calling from your Verizon phone itself, just press and hold 1 on the keypad. The system recognizes your number automatically and skips the password prompt, taking you straight to your messages. This is the quickest method when you are using your own device.
Both methods connect you to Verizon's voicemail system within seconds. The messages play in the order they arrived, and you can delete, save, or replay each one using the keypad numbers the system announces.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold 1 on your Verizon phone to reach voicemail when ready without entering a password.
- Call your own number from any other phone and press *, then enter your password, to listen to messages remotely.
- Your voicemail password is the same one you use to log into My Verizon online, so change it if you suspect someone knows it.
- The My Verizon app and website let you listen to voicemail, delete messages, and change your greeting without calling in.
- Verizon sends transcripts of some voicemails as text messages if you have Visual Voicemail turned on.
Using the My Verizon app and website
Log into My Verizon on your phone or computer using the same username and password you use for your account. Once inside, look for the Voicemail or Messages section — the exact location varies depending on whether you are on the app or website, but it is always in the main menu.
From there you can play any voicemail without calling in, delete messages, save important ones, and change your greeting. You can also read voicemail files to your device if you need to keep a record. This method is useful when you are in a place where you cannot make phone calls or when you want to manage multiple messages at once.
The app also shows you a list of who called and when, so you can see which messages are new without listening to all of them. If you have Visual Voicemail turned on, the app displays voicemail transcripts alongside the audio — though transcripts are not always accurate, especially with names or technical terms.
Setting up Visual Voicemail
Visual Voicemail is a Verizon feature that sends you text message transcripts of your voicemails and lets you listen to them in any order through the My Verizon app. To turn it on, open the My Verizon app, go to Settings, find Voicemail, and toggle Visual Voicemail to On.
Once enabled, Verizon's system listens to incoming voicemails and converts them to text. You receive a text message with the transcript and a link to play the audio. This is convenient because you can read a message quickly without listening to the whole thing, and you can listen to messages in whatever order you choose instead of playing them sequentially.
Keep in mind that transcripts are generated by software and can contain errors. Names, numbers, and technical terms are often transcribed incorrectly. Always listen to the actual voicemail if the message is important or if the transcript seems unclear.
Changing your voicemail password
Your voicemail password is separate from your phone's lock code. It is the password you enter when you call in to check messages from another phone. To change it, call your own number, press * at your greeting, enter your current password, then press * again. Select 4 for settings, then 3 for password.
You can also change your password through the My Verizon app. Go to Settings, select Voicemail, and choose Change Password. The app method is simpler and does not require you to navigate the phone menu system.
Verizon requires passwords to be between 4 and 15 characters. Use a combination of numbers and letters if possible, and avoid obvious choices like your birth year or the last four digits of your phone number. If you suspect someone knows your password, change it right away — this is especially important if you have received suspicious calls or if you reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
Retrieving voicemail from a different Verizon phone
If you switch to a new Verizon phone, your voicemail messages stay with your phone number, not with the physical device. When you set up the new phone on your account, pressing and holding 1 will connect you to the same voicemail box you had before.
Your greeting and password remain unchanged unless you alter them. If you want to keep your old greeting, you do not need to do anything — it will play for callers automatically. If you want to record a new greeting, press and hold 1, then select * and choose the option to record a greeting.
If you are switching from Verizon to a different carrier, you will lose access to your Verizon voicemail. Before you switch, read or save any important messages through the My Verizon app, since they will not be transferred to your new provider.
What to do if you cannot access your voicemail
If pressing and holding 1 does not work, make sure you are on a Verizon network. If you are on Wi-Fi calling or roaming on another carrier's network, the shortcut may not function. Try calling your own number from a different phone instead, or use the My Verizon app.
If you forgot your password, call Verizon customer service at 611 from your Verizon phone or 1-908-559-4899 from any other phone. They can reset your password and send you a temporary one. You will need to verify your account information, such as your account number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If the My Verizon app is not showing your voicemail, try logging out and logging back in. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the app. If voicemail is not working at all — you are not receiving new messages or the system hangs up when you try to access it — contact Verizon support, as this may indicate a network issue on their end.
Voicemail security and protecting your messages
Your voicemail password is the only thing protecting your messages from someone who knows your phone number. If you use a weak password or share it with others, anyone can call your number, press *, and listen to your messages. Change your password if you have given it to someone you no longer trust or if you have used it on other accounts that may have been compromised.
Do not write your password down or store it in your phone's notes app. If you need to remember it, use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, which encrypts your passwords and keeps them separate from your devices. Never tell your password to someone claiming to be from Verizon — the company will never ask for it.
If you suspect someone has accessed your voicemail, change your password when ready and review your recent call logs in the My Verizon app. Look for calls you do not recognize or times when you were not using your phone. If you see suspicious activity, contact Verizon to report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to my Verizon voicemail on a computer?
Yes, through the My Verizon website. Log in with your account credentials, navigate to the Voicemail section, and you can play, delete, and manage messages from any web browser. You cannot call in to check voicemail from a computer, but the website gives you full access to your messages.
What happens to my voicemail if I do not pay my Verizon bill?
If your service is suspended for non-payment, you will not be able to receive new voicemails, and callers will hear a message that your mailbox is unavailable. Once you pay and service is restored, your old messages will still be there, but you may lose them if the account remains suspended for an extended period. Contact Verizon about payment options if you are having trouble.
Can I save my voicemail messages permanently?
The My Verizon app lets you read voicemail files to your device, which you can then save to cloud storage or your computer. This is the only way to keep a permanent copy, since Verizon eventually deletes old messages from their servers. read important messages regularly if you need to keep them.
Does Verizon charge extra for voicemail?
Voicemail is included with most Verizon plans at no additional cost. Visual Voicemail is also free. If you are on an older or very basic plan, check your bill or contact Verizon to confirm, but standard voicemail access has been free for many years.
Can I set up different greetings for different callers?
Verizon voicemail does not support custom greetings for specific contacts. You have one greeting that all callers hear. If you want different messages for different people, you would need to use a third-party app like Google Voice, which offers more customization options.