The fastest way to check voicemail on Verizon

Call your own Verizon number from any phone and press 1 when the greeting plays. If you are calling from your Verizon phone, press and hold 1 on the keypad to dial voicemail directly. You will hear your greeting, then a prompt to enter your voicemail password. After you log in, you can listen to, delete, or save messages.

If you have not set a password yet, Verizon will prompt you to create one the first time you access voicemail. The password must be at least six digits and cannot be the same as the last four digits of your phone number or your PIN.

You can also check voicemail through the My Verizon app on your phone, which shows a list of messages you can play directly without dialing in. This method works on both iPhone and Android.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold 1 on your Verizon phone keypad to reach voicemail, or call your own number and press 1 from any phone.
  • You will need your voicemail password to listen to messages; if you do not have one, Verizon prompts you to create one on first access.
  • The My Verizon app shows your voicemail messages in a list and lets you play them without calling in.
  • You can delete, save, or forward messages after listening, and replay older messages by pressing 4 during playback.

Accessing voicemail from the My Verizon app

Open the My Verizon app and tap the Messages tab at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of all your voicemail messages with the date, time, and caller information. Tap any message to play it, and use the on-screen buttons to delete, save, or replay it.

The app shows whether each message is new or old, and you can sort messages by date or sender. If you delete a message in the app, it is removed from your voicemail box entirely. Saved messages stay in your voicemail box until you delete them manually.

The My Verizon app is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You will need to sign in with your Verizon account username and password to see your messages.

Setting up and changing your voicemail password

When you first access voicemail, Verizon prompts you to create a password. Press * during the greeting to skip to the password setup screen, then follow the voice prompts to enter a new password. The password must be at least six digits long.

To change your password later, call voicemail, press * during the greeting, then press 3 to access settings. Select the option to change your password and follow the prompts. You will need to enter your current password before you can set a new one.

If you forget your password, call Verizon customer service at 611 from your Verizon phone or 1-908-559-4899 from any phone. A representative can reset your password and send you a temporary one by text or email.

Customizing your voicemail greeting

Press and hold 1 to call voicemail, then press * during the greeting. Press 1 to record a new greeting, and speak your message after the tone. Press 1 again to save it, or press 3 to listen and re-record if needed.

You can also record a temporary greeting that plays when you are unavailable. During voicemail setup, press 2 to record a temporary greeting instead of a standard one. Temporary greetings override your main greeting until you delete them.

Verizon provides a default greeting if you do not record one yourself. The default greeting plays your phone number and asks callers to leave a message.

Checking voicemail from another phone or while traveling

Call your Verizon number from any phone — a landline, another mobile phone, or a phone in another country — and press 1 when your greeting plays. Enter your voicemail password and you can listen to all your messages the same way you would from your own phone.

If you are outside the United States, calling your Verizon number may incur international charges depending on your plan. Check your plan details before calling from abroad, or use the My Verizon app over Wi-Fi instead to avoid charges.

Some Verizon plans include international calling, which covers voicemail access. Others charge per minute for calls to the United States. Contact Verizon customer service to confirm what your plan covers before traveling.

Troubleshooting voicemail problems

If you cannot reach voicemail by pressing and holding 1, try dialing your own phone number instead and pressing 1 when the greeting plays. If that does not work, restart your phone and try again. Some network issues prevent the quick-dial shortcut from working even though the standard method does.

If you see a message that says your voicemail box is full, you have reached the maximum number of messages Verizon stores. Delete old messages to make room for new ones. Verizon typically stores up to 100 messages per line, though this can vary by plan.

If you forget your password and cannot reset it through the automated system, call Verizon customer service at 611 from your phone or 1-908-559-4899 from any phone. A representative can verify your identity and reset your password without charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to voicemail messages through text instead of calling?

Verizon does not transcribe voicemail to text by default, but some plans include a visual voicemail feature that shows a list of messages with caller information. The My Verizon app provides this visual list. You can also contact Verizon to ask whether your plan includes voicemail-to-text transcription as an add-on service.

What happens to my voicemail if I switch to a different phone?

Your voicemail is tied to your phone number, not your phone. When you switch phones, your voicemail account stays the same and all your saved messages remain. You can access them the same way on your new phone by pressing and holding 1 or using the My Verizon app.

Can I forward a voicemail message to someone else?

Yes. While listening to a message in the My Verizon app, tap the forward button and enter the phone number or email address where you want to send it. You can also forward messages through the phone system by pressing 5 during playback, though this requires the recipient to have a compatible voicemail system.

How long does Verizon keep voicemail messages?

Verizon keeps voicemail messages for 30 days after they are marked as old. New messages stay indefinitely until you delete them. If you want to keep a message longer than 30 days, mark it as saved in the My Verizon app or by pressing 9 during playback.

Can I set up voicemail without a password?

No. Verizon requires a password to access voicemail for security reasons. The password protects your messages from being heard by someone who calls your number. You must create a password the first time you access voicemail, and you cannot disable this requirement.