The fastest way depends on your phone type and carrier

On most phones, you open voicemail by pressing and holding the 1 key from your home screen, or by tapping the voicemail icon in your phone's built-in dialer app. Some carriers let you check voicemail through their website or a separate app instead. The exact steps change based on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a flip phone — and which carrier provides your service.

If you have never set up voicemail, you will need to create a PIN and record a greeting first. After that, accessing your messages takes just a few seconds each time.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold 1 on most phones to reach voicemail, or look for a voicemail icon in your dialer app.
  • Your carrier's website or mobile app often lets you listen to voicemail messages without calling in.
  • You need a PIN to set up voicemail the first time, which you create when you call your voicemail box.
  • Visual voicemail on iPhones and some Android phones shows a list of messages you can tap to play, rather than listening to them in order.

Checking voicemail on iPhone

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 caller's name or number, the time they called, and how long the message is. Tap any message to play it.

If you do not see a Voicemail tab, your carrier may not support visual voicemail on your plan. In that case, press and hold 1 to call your voicemail box directly, then enter your PIN when prompted. You will hear your messages one at a time and can press keys to delete, save, or skip each one.

Checking voicemail on Android

Open the Phone app and look for a Voicemail icon or tab — the location varies by phone brand and Android version. Samsung phones usually show it at the bottom of the dialer. Google Pixel phones have a Voicemail app in the app drawer. Tap the icon to see your messages listed, then tap any message to play it.

If your phone does not have a visual voicemail feature, press and hold 1 to call your voicemail box. Enter your PIN and listen to your messages in the order they arrived. You can press 7 to delete a message, 9 to save it, or 4 to go back to the previous message.

Using your carrier's website or app

Most carriers let you log into their website or open their mobile app to check voicemail without calling in. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and smaller carriers like Mint Mobile all offer this option. Log in with your account username and password, then look for a Voicemail or Messages section.

This method is useful if you are at work or in a place where you cannot listen to audio, since many carrier apps let you read a transcript of the message instead. Some also let you download the audio file to keep a copy.

Setting up voicemail for the first time

Press and hold 1 from your home screen to call your voicemail box. The system will ask you to create a PIN — choose a four-digit number you can remember. Write it down somewhere safe in case you forget it later.

Next, the system will ask you to record a greeting. This is the message callers hear when they reach your voicemail. You can keep it simple — just say your name and ask them to leave a message. After you record it, the system will ask you to confirm it sounds right. Once you finish, your voicemail is ready to use.

What to do if you forgot your PIN

Call your voicemail box by pressing and hold 1, then listen for an option to reset your PIN. This usually appears before you are asked to enter your current PIN. Follow the prompts to verify your identity — the carrier may ask for your phone number, account number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If the automated system does not offer a reset option, call your carrier's customer service line. You can find the number on your bill or on the carrier's website. Have your account information ready when you call.

Checking voicemail when roaming or traveling

If you are outside your home country, pressing and holding 1 may not work because it tries to call your local voicemail number. Instead, open your carrier's app or website to check messages, or call your voicemail box directly by dialing your own phone number from another phone.

Some carriers charge extra for international voicemail access, so check your plan before traveling. If you have an international plan, voicemail usually works the same way as at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see my voicemail messages as a list?

Your carrier may not offer visual voicemail on your plan, or your phone may not support it. Older phones and some budget plans only let you call in to listen to messages one at a time. Check your carrier's website to see if visual voicemail is available for your account, or ask customer service if you can add it.

Can I listen to voicemail without using my phone?

Yes. Log into your carrier's website or app from a computer or tablet to check messages. Many carriers also let you listen to voicemail through email if you set up voicemail-to-email, which automatically sends you an audio file of each message.

What happens if I don't check my voicemail for a long time?

Voicemail messages are usually stored for 30 days before they are deleted, though this varies by carrier. Check your carrier's policy on their website. After deletion, you cannot recover the message, so download or save any important ones.

Can I change my voicemail greeting?

Yes. Press and hold 1 to call your voicemail box, enter your PIN, then look for a menu option to record a new greeting. You can usually set a custom greeting for when you are available and a different one for when you are busy or away.

Why is my voicemail not working?

Check that voicemail is turned on in your phone settings and that you have set up a PIN and greeting. If visual voicemail is not showing messages, try restarting your phone or reinstalling your carrier's app. If nothing works, contact your carrier's customer service — voicemail may be temporarily down in your area.