Voicemail is a recorded message someone leaves for you when you don't answer

Voicemail is a system that records a message from someone trying to reach you. When you don't pick up your phone, the caller hears a greeting (usually your voice or a default message) and can record what they want to say. That recording stays in your voicemail inbox until you listen to it or delete it.

Checking voicemail is straightforward once you know where to look. The method depends on what kind of phone you have — a traditional landline, a mobile phone, or a phone through an internet service provider. Each one has a slightly different path, but the basic idea is the same: you call into the system, enter a code, and listen to your messages.

Key Takeaways

  • On a mobile phone, press and hold the number 1 on your keypad, or open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab.
  • On a landline, pick up the phone and listen for a stutter tone (a broken dial tone), then press the button marked Voicemail or Message, or dial the access number your provider gave you.
  • You will need your voicemail PIN (a four- to six-digit code) to listen to messages, and you can change it in your phone settings.
  • If you forget your PIN, call your phone provider's customer service line and they can reset it for you.

Checking voicemail on a mobile phone

The fastest way on most smartphones is to open the Phone app and look for a tab labeled Voicemail, usually at the bottom right of the screen. Tap it, and you will see a list of messages with the caller's name or number and the date and time they called. Tap any message to play it.

If your phone does not have a Voicemail tab, press and hold the number 1 on your keypad. This dials your voicemail inbox automatically. Your phone will prompt you to enter your PIN. Once you do, you can listen to messages, delete them, or save them. The system will tell you how many new messages you have before you start listening.

On iPhones, the Voicemail tab shows a visual list of messages with transcripts (if your carrier offers that feature). On Android phones, the layout varies by manufacturer and carrier, but the Phone app always has a Voicemail section somewhere in the main menu.

Checking voicemail on a landline or home phone

Pick up your phone and listen to the dial tone. If you hear a stutter tone — a broken or interrupted dial tone instead of a steady one — you have a new voicemail waiting. Look for a button on your phone labeled Voicemail, Message, or Msg. Press it, and your phone will connect you to your voicemail inbox.

If your phone does not have a dedicated button, dial the access number your phone provider gave you. This is usually printed on your bill or in the welcome materials they sent when you signed up. You will hear a prompt asking for your PIN. Enter it, and the system will play your messages.

Some landline systems let you check voicemail from another phone by dialing your own number, waiting for the greeting to finish, and pressing a key (often the star or pound symbol) to interrupt and enter your PIN. Your provider's documentation will say whether this works for your account.

Checking voicemail through your internet phone service

If your phone service comes through your internet provider — sometimes called VoIP or digital phone service — the process is similar to a landline. Press and hold 1, or look for a Voicemail button on your phone. If neither works, dial the access number your provider gave you.

Many internet phone services also let you check voicemail through a website or app. Log into your account on your provider's website, and look for a section called Voicemail, Messages, or Call Management. You can usually listen to messages, read them, or have them sent to your email as audio files.

What to do if you forget your PIN

Your voicemail PIN is a security code that keeps other people from listening to your messages. If you forget it, call your phone provider's customer service number. You can find this on your bill, on your provider's website, or by searching online for "[Your Provider Name] customer service".

When you call, tell them you need to reset your voicemail PIN. They will verify your identity by asking for your account number, phone number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Once they confirm who you are, they can reset your PIN to a temporary code, which you can change the next time you access your voicemail.

Some providers let you reset your PIN through their website or app without calling. Log into your account, look for a section called Voicemail Settings or Security, and follow the prompts to create a new PIN.

Changing your voicemail greeting

Your voicemail greeting is what callers hear before they can leave a message. Most phones let you record a custom greeting so people know it is your number. On a mobile phone, open the Phone app, go to Voicemail, and look for a Settings or Greeting option. Tap Record Greeting, speak your message, and save it.

On a landline, call your voicemail access number, enter your PIN, and look for a menu option to record or change your greeting. The system will prompt you to speak after a beep. Keep it short — 10 to 15 seconds is standard. When you are done, the system will ask if you want to save it.

If you do not record a custom greeting, your phone will use a default message that just says your phone number or a generic prompt. Callers can still leave messages, but a personal greeting lets them know they reached the right person.

Why you might not see or hear voicemail notifications

If you are not getting alerts that you have new voicemail, check a few things. On a mobile phone, make sure voicemail notifications are turned on in your settings. Go to Settings, find Notifications or Voicemail, and make sure the toggle is on. Also check that your Do Not Disturb mode is not silencing notifications.

On a landline, the stutter tone might be hard to hear if you have background noise. Try picking up the phone in a quiet room. If you still do not hear it, your phone line might have a problem — call your provider to check.

Sometimes voicemail messages take a few minutes to show up in your inbox, especially if the caller just left the message. If you think you are missing messages, call your voicemail access number directly to check. You might also ask the person who called whether their message went through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else listen to my voicemail if they have my phone?

Only if they know your PIN. That is why it is important to keep your PIN private and change it if you think someone knows it. If your phone is unlocked, they can open the Voicemail app and listen without entering a PIN on some phones, so always lock your phone with a password or fingerprint.

What happens to voicemail messages if I do not delete them?

They stay in your inbox indefinitely on most carriers, though some providers delete messages after 30 days if you mark them as old. Check your provider's policy on their website or by calling customer service. You can also read or save important messages before they are deleted.

Can I listen to voicemail from a different phone?

Yes. Call your own phone number from another phone, wait for your greeting to finish, and press a key (usually the star or pound symbol) to interrupt. Enter your PIN when prompted. Not all carriers support this, so ask your provider if it is available on your account.

Why is my voicemail full and I cannot receive new messages?

Voicemail inboxes have a storage limit, usually 10 to 20 messages depending on your carrier. Delete old messages you do not need, or read and save important ones to your computer. Once you free up space, callers can leave new messages again.

Is voicemail the same as a text message?

No. Voicemail is a recorded voice message, while a text message (SMS) is written words sent to your phone. Voicemail requires someone to call you and record a message; text messages are typed and sent when ready. Some phones can transcribe voicemail to text, but that is a separate feature.