The basic steps depend on your phone type and carrier

Checking voice messages works differently on iPhone, Android, and older phones, and your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider) may have set up your voicemail slightly differently. The fastest way is usually to open your Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab, but some carriers require you to call a specific number instead. This guide covers the main methods for each phone type and what to do if your voicemail isn't working.

Most modern phones show voicemail as a visual list where you can tap any message to play it, skip around, or delete messages without listening to them all in order. Older phones and some carriers still use the traditional method: you call a number, enter a PIN, and listen to messages one at a time. Both methods work — it depends on what your phone and carrier support.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open the Phone app, tap Voicemail in the bottom right, and tap any message to hear it.
  • On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, select Voicemail, and tap a message to play it.
  • If your phone doesn't have a Voicemail tab, call your carrier's voicemail number (usually *86 or a number printed on your bill).
  • Visual voicemail shows a list of messages with transcripts; standard voicemail requires you to call in and listen to them in order.
  • If you can't access voicemail, check that your carrier hasn't disabled it or that you haven't reached your storage limit.

Checking voicemail on iPhone

Open the Phone app and look at the bottom of the screen. You should see five tabs: Favorites, Recents, Contacts, Keypad, and Voicemail. Tap the Voicemail tab (it looks like a cassette tape). You will see a list of all your voice messages, with the caller's name or number, the time the call came in, and how long the message is.

Tap any message in the list to play it. You can also delete a message by swiping left on it and tapping Delete, or tap Edit in the top left to select multiple messages at once. If you want to save a message so it doesn't get deleted automatically after a few weeks, tap the message and then tap the star icon. On newer iPhones, you can also see a transcript of the message below the audio player, which lets you read what the caller said instead of listening.

If you do not see a Voicemail tab, your carrier may not have set up visual voicemail on your account. Call your carrier's customer service number (on your bill or your carrier's website) and ask them to turn on visual voicemail, or use the method below to call in and listen to messages the traditional way.

Checking voicemail on Android

Open the Phone app. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select Voicemail. You should see a list of your messages. Tap any message to play it. Some Android phones show the Voicemail option directly at the bottom of the Phone app instead of in the menu — look for a tab that says Voicemail or has a voicemail icon.

If you see a message that says "Voicemail not set up" or "Tap to set up voicemail," follow the on-screen instructions. You will usually be asked to create a PIN and record a greeting. If the setup fails, contact your carrier — they may need to turn on voicemail for your account. Some Android phones also let you see a transcript of your voicemail message, though this depends on your carrier and phone model.

Android phones with Google Voice can also receive voicemails through the Google Voice app instead of your carrier's voicemail. If you use Google Voice, open the Google Voice app, tap the menu, and select Voicemail to see messages sent to your Google Voice number. Google Voice voicemails are stored separately from your carrier's voicemail and have their own storage limits.

Calling in to check voicemail the traditional way

If your phone does not have a visual voicemail option, or if you prefer to call in, you can access your voicemail by dialing a special number. On most carriers, this number is *86 (press the asterisk, then 8, then 6). When you call, your carrier's system will ask you to enter your PIN, then play your messages in the order they arrived.

If *86 does not work, check your carrier's website or your phone bill for the correct voicemail access number. Some carriers use different numbers — for example, some use 1-800 numbers or numbers specific to your region. Once you are in the voicemail system, you can usually press 1 to replay a message, 2 to delete it, 3 to save it, or 4 to skip to the next one. The system will tell you the options when you call. This method requires you to listen to messages in order and cannot be skipped around as easily as visual voicemail, but it works on any phone with calling ability, including older phones and phones that do not support visual voicemail.

Setting up or resetting your voicemail PIN

Your voicemail PIN is a password that protects your messages. If you have never set one up, or if you forgot yours, you can usually set or reset it through your carrier's website or by calling customer service. Some carriers also let you set it up the first time you call your voicemail number — the system will prompt you to create a PIN.

If you are setting a PIN for the first time, choose a number that is not your birthday or phone number, since those are easy to guess. Write it down somewhere safe, or use your phone's password manager to store it. If you forget your PIN later, call your carrier's customer service number and they can reset it for you — you will need to verify your identity with your account number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Troubleshooting when voicemail is not working

If you cannot see your Voicemail tab or if messages are not showing up, first check that your carrier has not disabled voicemail on your account. Call your carrier's customer service number and ask them to confirm that voicemail is turned on. Some carriers disable it if you have not used it in a long time, or if you have an old plan that does not include it.

Second, check that you have not reached your voicemail storage limit. Most carriers store messages for 14 to 30 days before deleting them automatically, but if you have a very full inbox, older messages may have been deleted. Delete some old messages to free up space, or ask your carrier if they can increase your storage. Third, make sure your phone has a strong signal and is connected to the internet (for visual voicemail). If you are on Wi-Fi, try switching to cellular data, or vice versa. If voicemail still does not work after trying these steps, restart your phone and try again. If the problem continues, contact your carrier's technical support — there may be an issue with your account or your phone's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to voicemail messages on my computer?

Some carriers let you access voicemail through their website or app. Log into your carrier's account portal and look for a Voicemail or Messages section. Google Voice messages can be heard through the Google Voice website. If your carrier does not offer this, you can only listen on your phone.

How long do voicemail messages stay before they are deleted?

Most carriers keep voicemail messages for 14 to 30 days, though this varies by carrier and plan. Check your carrier's website or call customer service to find out your specific retention period. You can save important messages by marking them as saved, which usually keeps them longer.

What does it mean if I see a voicemail notification but no message in my list?

The message may still be downloading, especially if you just received the call. Wait a few minutes and refresh your Voicemail tab by closing and reopening the Phone app. If the message still does not appear, it may have been deleted or there may be a sync issue — try restarting your phone.

Can I forward a voicemail message to someone else?

Most visual voicemail apps let you share a message by tapping it and selecting Share. You can usually send it via text, email, or another app. Standard voicemail accessed by calling in does not have a forward option — you would need to play the message for someone else or have them listen to it themselves.

Why is my voicemail asking for a PIN when I call in?

Your carrier requires a PIN to prevent other people from listening to your messages if they get your phone number. If you have never set a PIN, the system will ask you to create one the first time you call. If you forgot your PIN, call your carrier's customer service to reset it.