The fastest way to listen to voicemail on Samsung
On most Samsung phones, press and hold the 1 key from your home screen or dial pad. Your phone will connect directly to your voicemail inbox. If that does not work, open the Phone app, tap the keypad icon at the bottom, and dial your carrier's voicemail number — usually *86 or *87, depending on whether you use Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another carrier.
Some Samsung models also let you access voicemail through the Phone app itself. Open Phone, look for a Voicemail tab or icon (often a cassette tape symbol), and tap it. The exact location varies by Samsung model and your carrier, but the app will guide you through the rest.
If you have never set up a voicemail password, your carrier will prompt you to create one the first time you call in. Write it down somewhere safe — you will need it to check messages from another phone or online.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the 1 key on your Samsung phone to reach voicemail directly, or dial *86 or *87 depending on your carrier.
- Some Samsung models have a dedicated Voicemail tab in the Phone app that shows missed messages without calling in.
- Your carrier's voicemail system will ask you to set a password on your first login, and you will need that password to check messages from other phones.
- If the 1 key does not work, check your carrier's website or call their customer service line to confirm the correct voicemail number for your account.
What to do if the 1 key does not work
The 1 key shortcut works on most carriers, but not all Samsung phones are set up the same way. If holding 1 does nothing, try dialing the number directly. AT&T uses *86, Verizon uses *86, T-Mobile uses *86, and most regional carriers do the same. If you are unsure, check your carrier's website or the paperwork that came with your phone.
Another option is to open the Phone app and look for a Voicemail button or tab. On newer Samsung models like the Galaxy S23 or S24, this appears as an icon at the bottom of the Phone app. Tap it and your phone will dial voicemail automatically. If you do not see a Voicemail tab, your carrier may not support this feature on your model.
Checking voicemail from another phone or online
If you need to listen to messages from a different phone, dial your own phone number, wait for the greeting, and press the star key (*) or pound key (#) to interrupt and log in. You will be asked for your voicemail password. Enter it and you can listen to all your messages.
Some carriers also let you check voicemail through their website or app. AT&T has the AT&T Mobile app, Verizon has the My Verizon app, and T-Mobile has the T-Mobile app. Log in with your account details and look for a Voicemail or Messages section. This method is slower than calling in, but it shows you a list of all messages at once.
Resetting a forgotten voicemail password
If you forget your voicemail password, call your carrier's customer service number. For AT&T, that is 611 from your phone or 1-800-331-0500. For Verizon, dial 611 or 1-908-559-4899. For T-Mobile, dial 611 or 1-844-839-4534. Have your account information ready — usually your phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
The representative will verify your identity and reset your password. They will either give you a temporary password over the phone or send you a reset link via text or email. Change it to something you will remember as soon as you log back in.
Why you might not be receiving voicemail notifications
If calls are going to voicemail but you are not getting a notification, check that voicemail is turned on in your phone settings. Open Settings, go to Apps, find Phone, tap Permissions, and make sure Notifications is enabled. Also check that Do Not Disturb mode is not silencing alerts.
Your carrier may also have voicemail turned off on your account. Call their customer service line and ask them to confirm that voicemail is active. If it is off, they can turn it back on in seconds. Some carriers disable it if you have not used it in a long time, or if there was a billing issue on your account.
Visual voicemail as an alternative
Some carriers offer visual voicemail, which shows you a list of messages on your screen instead of making you call in and listen to them in order. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all support this on Samsung phones. You see who called, when they called, and how long the message is before you tap it to listen.
Visual voicemail usually comes built into the Phone app on newer Samsung models. If you do not see it, check your carrier's app store page — AT&T Visual Voicemail, Verizon Messages, and T-Mobile Voicemail are all separate apps you can read. They work the same way: tap a message to listen, delete, or save it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the voicemail number if I do not know my carrier?
Open the Phone app and look at the top of the screen — it usually shows your carrier name. Once you know that, the standard number is *86 for most carriers. If that does not work, call 411 from your phone and ask for your carrier's voicemail number, or check your carrier's website.
Can I listen to voicemail without calling in?
Yes, if your carrier supports visual voicemail. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all offer it on Samsung phones. Open the Phone app and look for a Voicemail tab, or read your carrier's voicemail app from the Google Play Store. You will see a list of messages and can tap any one to listen.
Why does my voicemail say my mailbox is full?
Your voicemail storage is limited — usually 20 to 30 messages depending on your carrier. Delete old messages you no longer need. Call in to voicemail, listen to each message, and press 7 to delete it. Or use visual voicemail to delete multiple messages at once by swiping left on each one.
Can I set up voicemail without calling in?
Most carriers let you set up voicemail through their website or app. Log into your account, find the Voicemail or Messages section, and follow the prompts to record a greeting and set a password. If the website option is not available, calling *86 and following the automated setup is the fastest way.