The fastest way depends on your phone carrier

To check your voicemail from another phone, call your own number and press a key when your greeting plays — usually the asterisk (*) or pound sign (#). If that does not work, call your carrier's voicemail access number directly. For most carriers, you can find this number on your bill, in your account settings online, or by calling customer service from any phone.

The exact steps vary by carrier. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and smaller carriers each have different access numbers and key sequences. Some carriers let you check voicemail through their website or app instead, which can be faster if you have internet access but do not have your phone with you.

Key Takeaways

  • Calling your own number and pressing * or # when your greeting plays is the quickest method for most carriers.
  • If that does not work, call your carrier's dedicated voicemail access number, which appears on your bill or in your online account.
  • AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile each use different access numbers, so confirm yours before you call from an unfamiliar phone.
  • Many carriers also let you check voicemail through their website or mobile app without calling at all.

Calling your own number to access voicemail

When you call your own phone number from another phone, your voicemail greeting will play. At the end of the greeting, press the asterisk (*) key. If that does not work, try the pound sign (#) instead. You will then be prompted to enter your voicemail PIN — the same code you use to check messages on your own phone.

If you do not remember your PIN, you will need to reset it through your carrier's website or by calling customer service. Most carriers require you to verify your identity with your phone number and account information before they will reset it. This process usually takes a few minutes but may require you to answer security questions.

This method works on any phone — landline, cell phone, or borrowed device — as long as you have your PIN. It is the most reliable way to check voicemail when you do not have your own phone.

Using your carrier's voicemail access number

Each major carrier has a dedicated number you can call to check voicemail without calling your own number first. These numbers are:

  • AT&T: Call 611 from an AT&T phone, or 611 then press 4 to reach voicemail. From another carrier's phone, call 1-800-331-0500.
  • Verizon: Call 611 from a Verizon phone. From another carrier's phone, call 1-908-559-4899.
  • T-Mobile: Call 611 from a T-Mobile phone. From another carrier's phone, call 1-877-839-6321.
  • Other carriers: Check your bill or log into your account online to find your voicemail access number.

When you call the access number, you will be asked to enter your phone number and PIN. Have both ready before you dial. The system will then play your messages in the order they arrived.

Checking voicemail through your carrier's website or app

Most carriers let you listen to voicemail messages online or through their mobile app. This is often faster than calling, especially if you are in a place where you cannot make phone calls easily.

AT&T: Log into your account at att.com, go to the Phone section, and select Voicemail. You can listen to messages, delete them, or save them as files.

Verizon: Log into your account at verizon.com, select Phone, then Voicemail. You can play messages directly in your browser or download them.

T-Mobile: Log into your account at t-mobile.com, go to Account, then Phone, then Voicemail. Messages appear as a list you can play or delete.

You will need your account username and password. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the carrier's login page to reset it. This usually requires you to verify your identity with your phone number and email address.

What to do if you forgot your PIN

If you cannot remember your voicemail PIN, you will need to reset it through your carrier. The process is different for each carrier but generally requires you to verify your identity.

AT&T: Call 611 from an AT&T phone or 1-800-331-0500 from another phone. Tell the representative you need to reset your voicemail PIN. They will ask for your phone number and may ask security questions about your account.

Verizon: Call 611 from a Verizon phone or 1-908-559-4899 from another phone. Request a PIN reset. Have your phone number and account information ready.

T-Mobile: Call 611 from a T-Mobile phone or 1-877-839-6321 from another phone. Ask to reset your voicemail PIN. You may need to answer security questions.

You can also reset your PIN online through your carrier's website by logging into your account and navigating to voicemail settings. This method is usually faster than calling and does not require you to speak with a representative.

Checking voicemail when traveling internationally

If you are outside the United States, calling your carrier's access number may not work because it is a domestic number. Instead, call your own phone number and press * or # when your greeting plays. This works from any country because you are calling your own number, not a carrier-specific line.

Be aware that international calls are expensive. Check with your phone plan to see if international calling is included or what the per-minute rate is. Using your carrier's website or app to check voicemail is free if you have internet access, making it the cheapest option when you are abroad.

If you are staying in one country for a long time, consider getting a local phone number there. Many carriers offer international plans that let you use a local number in another country for a monthly fee, which can be cheaper than paying per-minute rates for calls back to the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not know my voicemail PIN?

Call your carrier's customer service line and ask to reset your PIN. You will need to verify your identity with your phone number and account information. Most carriers can reset your PIN over the phone in a few minutes, or you can reset it yourself through your carrier's website.

Can I check someone else's voicemail?

No. You need the phone number and PIN to access voicemail. Without the PIN, you cannot listen to messages. If you need to check someone else's voicemail with their permission, ask them for their PIN first.

Why does pressing * not work on some phones?

Some older phones or landlines may use a different key to access voicemail. Try pressing # instead, or call your carrier's dedicated voicemail access number. The access number always works regardless of what phone you are using.

Is it safe to check voicemail from a public phone?

Yes, as long as no one is watching you enter your PIN. Be aware of your surroundings when you type your code. If you are concerned about security, use your carrier's website or app instead, which you can access from a private device with internet access.

Can I check voicemail if my phone is turned off?

Yes. Voicemail is stored on your carrier's servers, not on your phone. You can check it from any other phone by calling your own number or your carrier's access number, even if your phone is off, lost, or damaged.