The fastest way depends on your phone type and carrier

Checking voicemail works differently on an iPhone, Android phone, or landline — and sometimes differently between carriers. The quickest method is usually to open your phone's built-in voicemail app or dial a shortcut number. On most phones, that shortcut is *86 or 1-800-MY-VOICEMAIL (1-800-698-625-4235), but your carrier may use something different.

If you do not know your carrier's voicemail number, you can find it by calling your carrier's customer service line — the number is on your bill or on your carrier's website. You can also ask Siri (on iPhone) or Google Assistant (on Android) to "check my voicemail," and they will dial the right number for you.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, and tap the message you want to hear.
  • On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, select Voicemail, and tap the message.
  • You can also dial *86 or your carrier's voicemail number to listen and manage messages by voice.
  • If you forget your voicemail password, call your carrier's customer service to reset it.
  • Some carriers charge for voicemail, but most include it free with your plan.

Checking voicemail on iPhone

Open the Phone app at the bottom of your home screen. Tap the Voicemail tab in the bottom right corner — it looks like a cassette tape. You will see a list of all your voicemail messages, with the newest at the top.

Tap any message to hear it. The message will play through your phone's speaker. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward by tapping the controls that appear. When you are done, tap the back arrow to return to your voicemail list.

To delete a message, swipe left on it and tap Delete. To save a message so it does not disappear after 30 days, tap the message and then tap the flag icon. You can also tap Edit to select multiple messages at once and delete or save them together.

Checking voicemail on Android

Open the Phone app. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner, then tap Voicemail. You will see your voicemail messages listed, with the newest first.

Tap any message to play it. The message will play through your speaker. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward using the controls on the screen. When you finish, tap the back arrow to return to your list.

To delete a message, tap and hold it, then tap Delete. Some Android phones let you tap a trash icon instead. To save a message, tap and hold it and look for a Save or Archive option — this varies by phone model and carrier.

Using the voicemail shortcut number

If you prefer not to use the app, you can dial *86 from your phone to reach voicemail directly. Your phone will ask you to enter your voicemail password, then play your messages one at a time. This method works the same way on iPhone and Android.

After each message, the system will ask you to press a number to delete, save, or skip to the next message. Press 1 to replay, 2 to delete, 3 to save, 4 to skip ahead, or 7 to go back. The exact numbers vary slightly by carrier, so listen to the prompt.

This method is useful if you are using someone else's phone or if your voicemail app is not working. You can also use it to check voicemail from a landline or computer phone service.

What to do if you forgot your voicemail password

Call your carrier's customer service number — it is on your bill or their website. Tell them you need to reset your voicemail password. They will verify your identity by asking for your account number, phone number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Once verified, they will either reset your password to a temporary one they give you over the phone, or they will send you a link to reset it yourself. Write down the temporary password and change it to something you will remember as soon as you can.

If you set up a PIN or password when you first got your phone and cannot remember it, do not guess more than a few times — most systems will lock you out after three wrong tries to prevent someone else from accessing your messages.

Voicemail settings and customization

You can change your voicemail greeting, turn on or off notifications, and set how long messages are kept before they are deleted. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Change Voicemail Password or Voicemail Greeting. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the menu, select Voicemail, then tap Settings.

Most carriers keep voicemail messages for 30 days before deleting them automatically. If you want to keep a message longer, mark it as saved or archive it. Some carriers let you download voicemail messages as audio files, which you can do through the voicemail app or by calling customer service.

If you do not want to receive voicemail at all, you can disable it through your carrier's website or by calling customer service. This is rare, but some people prefer to rely only on text messages or other contact methods.

Troubleshooting when voicemail is not working

If you cannot see your voicemail tab or if messages are not showing up, first check that you have a strong cellular signal or Wi-Fi connection. Close the Phone app completely and open it again. If that does not work, restart your phone.

If voicemail still is not working, check your carrier's website to see if there is a service outage in your area. You can also call your carrier's customer service to confirm that voicemail is turned on for your account — sometimes it gets disabled by mistake or after a plan change.

If you are using a third-party voicemail app instead of your carrier's built-in voicemail, make sure the app is up to date. Check your phone's app store for updates and install any that are available. If the app still does not work, uninstall it and use your carrier's voicemail instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to voicemail from a computer or tablet?

Some carriers let you access voicemail through their website or app. Log in with your phone number and password, and you can usually listen to, download, or delete messages. Not all carriers offer this, so check your carrier's website to see if it is available.

What happens if I do not check my voicemail for a long time?

Most carriers keep voicemail messages for 30 days, though some keep them for up to 60 days. After that time, they are deleted automatically. If you want to keep a message, mark it as saved or archive it so it does not get deleted.

Can someone else listen to my voicemail?

No, unless they know your voicemail password. Your voicemail is protected by the same password you set up. If you think someone else knows your password, call your carrier to reset it right away.

Do I have to pay for voicemail?

Most carriers include voicemail free with your plan. Some prepaid carriers or older plans may charge a small monthly fee. Check your bill or call your carrier to confirm whether voicemail is included in your plan.

Why am I not getting voicemail notifications?

Check that notifications are turned on for your Phone app. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Notifications, find Phone, and make sure Allow Notifications is on. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find Phone, tap Notifications, and turn them on. You can also check your voicemail manually at any time by opening the Phone app.