The fastest way to check voicemail on Samsung

On most Samsung phones, you check voicemail by opening the Phone app, pressing and holding the 1 key, and waiting for your voicemail to connect. Your carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider — handles the voicemail system, so the steps are the same whether you have a Samsung Galaxy S24 or an older model.

If pressing and holding 1 does nothing, your carrier may have set up voicemail differently. The second method is to open the Phone app, tap the keypad icon at the bottom, dial your carrier's voicemail number (usually *86 or *87), and press call. A third option is to use the Samsung Messages app if your carrier supports visual voicemail, which shows your messages as a list you can tap instead of calling in.

The method that works depends on your carrier and your phone's settings. Start with the 1 key — it works for most people — and move to the other methods only if that does not connect you.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the 1 key in the Phone app to reach voicemail on most Samsung phones with most carriers.
  • If the 1 key does not work, open the Phone app, tap the keypad, dial *86 or *87, and press call to reach voicemail manually.
  • Some carriers offer visual voicemail through the Samsung Messages app, which displays voicemail as a list you can read instead of listening to a recording.
  • Your carrier controls how voicemail works on your phone, so the same steps work across all Samsung models on the same network.
  • If you cannot reach voicemail after trying both methods, contact your carrier to confirm voicemail is set up on your account.

Using the 1 key shortcut

The 1 key shortcut is the standard way to reach voicemail on Samsung phones. Open the Phone app — the green icon with a phone receiver — and look at the bottom of the screen. You will see a keypad icon (usually four squares in a grid). Tap it to show the number pad.

Press and hold the 1 key. Do not tap it once; hold your finger on it for two to three seconds. Your phone will dial your voicemail automatically and connect you to your carrier's system. You will hear a greeting and a prompt to enter your voicemail password if you have one set up.

If nothing happens when you hold 1, your carrier may not have configured this shortcut, or your phone may have a different setting. Move to the manual dial method instead.

Dialing voicemail manually

If the 1 key does not work, you can dial your voicemail number directly. Open the Phone app and tap the keypad icon to show the number pad. The number you dial depends on your carrier: most use *86, but some use *87 or a different number.

Type the voicemail number and press the green call button. Your phone will dial the number and connect you to voicemail. You will hear your carrier's greeting and be asked to enter your password.

If you do not know your carrier's voicemail number, check your carrier's website or call their customer service line. You can also try the most common numbers: *86 for Verizon and AT&T, and *86 or *87 for T-Mobile. If one does not work, the other usually will.

Using visual voicemail in Samsung Messages

Some carriers offer visual voicemail, which shows your voicemail messages as a list in the Samsung Messages app instead of making you call in and listen to a recording. If your carrier supports it, you can see who called, when they called, and how long the message is before you listen.

To check if visual voicemail is set up, open the Samsung Messages app (the blue icon with a speech bubble). Look for a voicemail tab or section. If you see one, tap it to see your messages. If there is no voicemail section, your carrier does not offer visual voicemail, or it is not turned on yet.

To turn on visual voicemail if your carrier offers it, open Samsung Messages, tap the menu (three lines at the top), go to Settings, and look for Voicemail. The exact steps vary by carrier, so if you do not see a voicemail option, contact your carrier to ask if they support it and how to turn it on.

What to do if you cannot reach voicemail

If you have tried both the 1 key and manual dialing and neither works, the problem is usually one of three things: voicemail is not set up on your account, your password is wrong, or your carrier has a service issue.

First, check that you are using the right password. Your voicemail password is not the same as your phone's lock code. If you have never set one up, your carrier usually has a default password (often your phone number or the last four digits of your phone number). Try the default first.

If the password does not work or you do not remember it, contact your carrier's customer service. They can reset your voicemail password or confirm whether voicemail is active on your account. You can usually reach them by calling their main number or visiting their website.

Changing your voicemail password

You can change your voicemail password from within voicemail itself. Call voicemail using the 1 key or by dialing manually, then listen for a menu option that says something like "Press 5 to change your password" or "Press * for options." The exact menu varies by carrier.

When you reach the password change option, you will be asked to enter your current password, then your new password twice. Write down your new password somewhere safe so you do not forget it. If you cannot find the password change option in the voicemail menu, call your carrier's customer service and ask them to walk you through it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to voicemail on Wi-Fi only, without a phone plan?

No. Voicemail requires an active phone plan with a carrier, even if you are on Wi-Fi. The voicemail system is part of your carrier's network, not your phone. If you have a phone plan but no cellular signal, you can still reach voicemail over Wi-Fi by dialing manually, but you need the plan itself.

What is the difference between voicemail and a missed call notification?

A missed call notification tells you someone called and you did not answer. Voicemail is a message the caller left after you did not pick up. Not every caller leaves a voicemail — they can hang up without recording anything. You will see a missed call either way, but you only have a voicemail to listen to if the caller recorded one.

Why does my voicemail say I have a new message but I already listened to it?

Your carrier's system may not have marked the message as heard yet. Try calling voicemail again and listening to the message fully, then hanging up normally. If the notification still appears after a few hours, contact your carrier — there may be a sync issue between your phone and their system.

Can I check voicemail from a different phone?

Yes. Call your carrier's voicemail number from any phone (the number is usually *86, *87, or listed on your carrier's website), then enter your phone number and voicemail password. You will hear your messages the same way you would on your Samsung.

Does my voicemail work if my phone is turned off?

Yes. Voicemail is stored on your carrier's servers, not on your phone. If your phone is off, calls will go to voicemail, and you can listen to the messages later when you turn your phone back on or from another phone.