The fastest way depends on your phone type

Checking voicemail is different on an iPhone than on an Android phone, and different again if you use a landline. The method also depends on whether you are checking from your own phone or someone else's. Start with the section that matches your situation, and follow the steps in order — each one builds on the last.

If you do not know what type of phone you have, look at the home screen. iPhones show an Apple logo when they start up. Android phones show the Android robot or the manufacturer name (Samsung, Google, Motorola, LG). If you have a home phone with a physical handset and base unit, follow the landline steps.

Key Takeaways

  • On an iPhone, open the Phone app, tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right, 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 to play it.
  • On a landline, press the voicemail button on your phone or dial your voicemail number from any phone and enter your PIN.
  • If you cannot find the voicemail tab or button, your phone may not have voicemail set up yet, and you should contact your phone provider.
  • Deleting a voicemail is permanent — most phones do not have an undo option, so listen first if you are unsure.

Checking voicemail on an iPhone

Step 1: Open the Phone app. This is the green icon with a white phone symbol. You will find it on your home screen or in the App Library.

Step 2: Look at the bottom of the screen. You will see five tabs: Favorites, Recents, Contacts, Keypad, and Voicemail. Tap the Voicemail tab on the far right.

Step 3: You will see a list of voicemail messages. Each one shows the phone number or contact name of the person who called, the date and time they called, and how long the message is. Tap any message to play it.

Step 4: While the message plays, you will see buttons at the bottom. The speaker icon turns the speaker on or off. The pause button stops playback. The forward and back arrows skip ahead or go back in the message. When you are done, tap the back arrow at the top left to return to your voicemail list.

Checking voicemail on Android

Step 1: Open the Phone app. This is usually a green or blue icon with a phone symbol. Look on your home screen or in your app drawer.

Step 2: Look at the bottom of the screen. Tap the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner.

Step 3: A menu will pop up. Tap Voicemail or Settings. If you see Voicemail, tap it and skip to Step 5. If you see Settings, tap it and look for a Voicemail option in the menu that appears.

Step 4: Once you find the Voicemail section, you will see a list of messages. Each one shows the caller's number or name, the date and time, and the length. Tap any message to play it.

Step 5: While the message plays, you can pause, skip forward, or skip backward using the buttons on the screen. When you are done, tap the back arrow to return to your voicemail list.

Note: Some Android phones use Google Voice or a carrier-specific voicemail app instead of the built-in Phone app. If you do not see a Voicemail tab in the Phone app, check your app drawer for an app called Google Voice, Visual Voicemail, or your carrier's name plus Voicemail.

Checking voicemail on a landline

Step 1: Look at your phone's base unit or handset. Many landline phones have a dedicated Voicemail button. If you see one, press it. Your phone will connect to your voicemail system automatically.

Step 2: If there is no Voicemail button, pick up the handset and listen for a dial tone. Once you hear it, press the star key (*) followed by the number 1, or press the number 1 by itself. This is the standard code for most carriers, but it varies — if nothing happens, hang up and try the next step.

Step 3: If the code does not work, dial your voicemail number. This is usually your own phone number. When the system answers, it will ask you to enter your PIN (a four-digit code). Enter it using the keypad on your phone.

Step 4: Once you enter your PIN, the system will tell you how many new messages you have and play them one at a time. You can usually press a number key to delete, save, or skip to the next message. The system will tell you which key does what.

Step 5: If you do not know your PIN, contact your phone provider. They can reset it for you or tell you what it is.

Checking voicemail from someone else's phone

If you need to check your voicemail from a different phone — a friend's phone, a work phone, or a borrowed device — you can dial your voicemail number from any phone and enter your PIN.

Step 1: Pick up the phone and dial your own phone number. When your voicemail system answers, it will ask for your PIN.

Step 2: Enter your four-digit PIN using the keypad. The system will then play your messages.

Step 3: You can delete, save, or skip messages using the keypad. The system will announce which number key does what.

This method works on any phone — iPhone, Android, landline, or even a phone at a business. You do not need to be logged into your account or have any special setup.

What to do if you cannot find your voicemail

If you follow the steps above and do not see a Voicemail tab, button, or option, your phone may not have voicemail set up yet. This is common on new phones or phones that have just switched carriers.

Contact your phone provider. Call the customer service number on your phone bill or visit their website. Tell them you want to set up voicemail. They will activate it for you and may set a temporary PIN that you can change later. Setup usually takes a few minutes.

If you have voicemail set up but still cannot find it, your phone may use a different app. Check your app drawer for Google Voice, Visual Voicemail, or an app with your carrier's name. If you still cannot locate it, call your provider — they can walk you through the exact steps for your phone model.

Deleting and managing voicemail messages

Once you have listened to a voicemail, you can delete it, save it, or leave it unread. On an iPhone, swipe left on any message in your voicemail list to see a delete button. On Android, press and hold a message to see options for delete or save. On a landline, press the key the system tells you to press (usually 7 for delete).

Be careful when deleting: Most phones do not have an undo button for voicemail. Once you delete a message, it is gone. If you think you might need the message later, save it instead. Saved messages stay in your voicemail list until you delete them manually.

If you want to keep the information from a voicemail but do not need the message itself, write down the caller's number or name before you delete it. You can also take a screenshot of the message details on an iPhone or Android phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see my voicemail tab on iPhone?

The Voicemail tab only appears if your carrier has set up voicemail on your account. If you do not see it, contact your phone provider to activate voicemail. It usually takes a few minutes. You may also need to restart your phone after activation before the tab appears.

How do I listen to voicemail if I forgot my PIN?

Call your phone provider's customer service number. Tell them you forgot your voicemail PIN. They can reset it to a temporary code that you can change to something you will remember. You will need to verify your identity with your account number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Can I listen to voicemail without calling my phone?

Yes. On iPhone and Android, open the Phone or Voicemail app and tap the message. You do not need to make a call. On a landline, you must either press the Voicemail button or dial your voicemail number from any phone.

What happens if I accidentally delete a voicemail?

Most phones do not save deleted voicemails. Once it is gone, you cannot get it back through your phone. Contact your phone provider — some carriers keep deleted messages for a short time and may be able to restore it, but this is not may provide.

Can I save a voicemail to listen to later?

Yes. On iPhone, swipe left on a message and tap Save. On Android, press and hold a message and select Save. Saved messages stay in your voicemail list and are not automatically deleted. You can listen to them as many times as you want until you delete them manually.