Deleting voicemail depends on your phone type and carrier
The steps to delete a voicemail message differ between iPhone and Android, and sometimes between carriers. On most phones, you can delete messages directly from the voicemail app or through your carrier's voicemail system. Some carriers also let you manage voicemails through their website or a separate app. This guide covers the most common methods for both phone types.
The fastest way is usually through your phone's built-in voicemail app — a few taps and the message is gone. If that does not work, you can call your voicemail box directly using voice commands, or log into your carrier's website to delete messages from a computer. Each method takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can delete voicemails directly in the Phone app by swiping left on a message or tapping Edit and selecting Delete.
- Android users typically open their voicemail app, long-press the message, and tap Delete or the trash icon.
- You can also call your voicemail box directly and use voice commands or keypad numbers to delete messages without opening the app.
- Some carriers let you manage voicemails through their website, which is useful if you want to delete multiple messages at once.
- Deleted voicemails are usually gone permanently, so make sure you do not need the message before removing it.
Delete voicemail on iPhone using the Phone app
Open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right of the screen. You will see a list of all your voicemail messages with the sender's name or number and the date received. To delete a single message, swipe left on it with your finger. A red Delete button will appear on the right side. Tap Delete to remove the message.
If you want to delete multiple messages at once, tap Edit in the upper left corner of the Voicemail tab. Circles will appear next to each message. Tap the circle next to each message you want to delete — a checkmark will appear. Once you have selected all the messages you want to remove, tap Delete in the upper right corner. Confirm by tapping Delete again when prompted.
If you cannot see the Voicemail tab, your carrier may not support voicemail through the Phone app. In that case, you will need to call your voicemail box directly or use your carrier's separate voicemail app. Check your home screen or app drawer for an app with your carrier's name or the word Voicemail.
Delete voicemail on Android using your voicemail app
The steps vary slightly depending on which voicemail app your phone uses. Most Android phones come with Google Voice, Samsung Voicemail, or your carrier's own app. Open whichever voicemail app is on your phone — you can find it by swiping to your app drawer and looking for an icon labeled Voicemail, Google Voice, or your carrier's name.
Once the app is open, find the voicemail message you want to delete. Long-press (hold your finger on) the message for two to three seconds. A menu will pop up with options including Delete, Archive, or Spam. Tap Delete. The message will be removed from your list.
To delete multiple messages, long-press the first one, then tap the other messages you want to remove — checkmarks will appear next to each selected message. Once you have selected all the messages, look for a trash icon or Delete button, usually at the top or bottom of the screen, and tap it. If your app has an Archive option instead, that will hide the message without deleting it permanently.
Delete voicemail by calling your voicemail box directly
You can delete voicemail messages without using an app by calling your voicemail box directly. Open the Phone app, press and hold the number 1 on your keypad, or dial your own phone number and wait for the voicemail greeting. When prompted, enter your voicemail password.
Once you are in your voicemail box, listen to your messages. After each message plays, you will hear options like "Press 7 to delete" or "Press 9 to save." Press the number your carrier uses for delete — usually 7 — to remove the message. If you want to delete all messages without listening to them, some carriers let you press a code like *7 or #7 at the main menu, but this varies by carrier. Check your carrier's voicemail instructions if you are unsure which number to press.
This method works on any phone and does not require an app, which makes it useful if your voicemail app is not working or if you are using someone else's phone. You will need your voicemail password, which you set up when you first activated voicemail on your account.
Delete voicemail through your carrier's website
Many carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others let you manage voicemail through their website. Log into your carrier's account on a computer or mobile browser. Look for a section called Voicemail, Messages, or Account Management. You should see a list of your voicemail messages with the sender's number, date, and length.
Click or tap the message you want to delete, then look for a Delete button or trash icon. Some carriers let you select multiple messages by checking a box next to each one, then delete them all at once. This method is especially useful if you have many messages to remove or if you want to listen to a message on your computer before deciding whether to keep it.
The exact steps depend on your carrier, so if you cannot find the voicemail section, contact your carrier's support line or search their website for "manage voicemail online." Most carriers have this feature available, but the location and layout differ.
What happens after you delete a voicemail
Once you delete a voicemail message, it is usually gone permanently. Most carriers do not keep a trash or recovery folder for deleted voicemails the way email does. This means if you delete a message by mistake, you cannot get it back. Before you delete a message, make sure you do not need any information from it, such as a phone number, address, or appointment time.
If you think you might need a message later but do not want to see it in your main list, some voicemail apps have an Archive button instead of Delete. Archived messages are hidden but can usually be found again if you need them. Check your voicemail app to see if this option is available — it is a safer choice if you are unsure whether you will need the message again.
Troubleshooting voicemail deletion problems
If you try to delete a voicemail and nothing happens, the app may have frozen. Close the voicemail app completely by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or tapping the X (Android), wait a few seconds, and open it again. Try deleting the message once more. This simple restart fixes most temporary glitches.
If the delete button does not appear or the app keeps crashing, try restarting your phone. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once your phone is on, open the voicemail app and try again. If the problem continues, your voicemail app may need an update. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Software Update or open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and select Manage Apps > Updates Available.
If you still cannot delete messages after updating, contact your carrier's support line. They can check whether your voicemail account is working correctly or help you delete messages from their end. Keep your phone number and account PIN ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a voicemail message after I delete it?
No, deleted voicemail messages cannot be recovered on most carriers. Unlike email, voicemail systems do not keep a trash folder. If you delete a message by mistake, contact your carrier immediately — some may be able to retrieve it within a short window, but this is not may provide.
How do I delete all my voicemail messages at once?
On iPhone, tap Edit in the Voicemail tab, select all messages by tapping each circle, then tap Delete. On Android, long-press each message to select it, then tap the trash icon. If you have many messages, using your carrier's website is often faster because you can select all messages with one checkbox.
Why can I not see the delete option on my voicemail?
Some carriers do not support deleting voicemails through the Phone app. Try calling your voicemail box directly by pressing and holding 1, or log into your carrier's website to delete messages there. If neither works, contact your carrier to confirm your voicemail account is set up correctly.
Do I need a password to delete my voicemail messages?
No, you do not need a password to delete voicemails using your phone's voicemail app — the app is already signed into your account. You only need a password if you call your voicemail box directly from another phone or access it through your carrier's website.
What is the difference between deleting and archiving a voicemail?
Deleting removes the message permanently, while archiving hides it from your main list but keeps it stored. Not all voicemail apps have an archive option. Check your app's menu to see if archiving is available — it is useful if you want to keep a message but do not want to see it every time you check voicemail.