How Do I Listen to My Voicemail? Step-by-Step Guide

To listen to your voicemail, you can use the built-in voicemail app on your device, dial a specific code like 1 (which works for most carriers), or use third-party apps like Google Voice, HulloMail, and YouMail. The method you choose depends on your device, carrier, and personal preference.

Android

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the Voicemail icon or press and hold 1 on the dial pad.
3. Enter your voicemail password/PIN if prompted.
4. Follow the voice prompts to listen to messages.

iPhone

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the Voicemail tab located at the bottom right of your screen.
3. You’ll see a list of all your voicemail messages. Tap on a message to play it.

To check your voicemail, press and hold the “1” key on your phone, enter your voicemail PIN when prompted, and follow the voice instructions to listen to your messages.

The exact steps can vary slightly by carrier. Some also let you access voicemail through apps or online portals.

Here’s how to listen to voicemail with some popular providers:

1. AT&T

   • Press and hold ‘1’ from your AT&T wireless phone.
   • Enter your voicemail password when prompted and follow the voice instructions.

2. T-Mobile

   • Press and hold the ‘1’ key or dial 123 from your device.

   Alternatively, check voicemail online:

   • Go to My T-Mobile and log in.
   • Click PHONE at the top of the page.
   • Select Check Voicemail from the right-hand menu.
   • Click the play button to listen to messages.

3. Verizon

   • Dial *86 (or *VM) and press the call/send button.
   • Enter your voicemail password when prompted.
   • Follow the voice prompts to listen, save, or delete messages.

You can also check your voicemail using virtual voicemail services that send your messages as audio files or transcriptions to your email. If you need more features, third-party apps like YouMail and Google Voice provide voicemail transcription and spam blocking to help manage your messages efficiently. Additionally, voice assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant also let you listen to your voicemail easily.

1. Use Virtual Voicemail

   Virtual voicemail services offered by VoIP service providers forward your voicemails as audio files or transcriptions directly to your email. This allows you to listen to or read your messages from any device with email access, without needing to call your voicemail box.

2. Third-Party Apps

   If your phone doesn’t support built-in visual voicemail or you want extra features, third-party apps like YouMail, Google Voice, and HulloMail let you access and manage voicemails easily. These apps offer voicemail transcription, spam blocking, and customizable greetings, and work on both iOS and Android devices.

3. Ask Siri or Google Assistant

   You can also use your device’s voice assistants to check your voicemail. Simply say, “Hey Siri, play my voicemail” on an iPhone or “Hey Google, check my voicemail” on an Android device. Depending on your phone settings, this will open your voicemail app or dial your voicemail automatically.

To listen to your voicemail from another phone, dial your own number, press * or # (depending on your carrier), enter your PIN, and then follow the prompts to play your messages.

1. Dial your own phone number from any other phone.
2. Wait for your voicemail greeting to begin playing.
3. Interrupt the greeting by pressing the required key.
4. Press ‘*’ or ‘#’ based on your carrier (For instance * for AT&T and # for Verizon).
5. Enter your voicemail PIN, then press # if required.
6. Listen for the prompt (like “Press 1”) to play your messages.

To set up your voicemail greeting, call your voicemail, enter your PIN, and follow the prompts to record a new greeting. Once you're finished, save the recording.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the voicemail icon or press and hold 1 to access voicemail.
3. Follow the audio prompts to access voicemail settings.
4. Select the option to record your personal greeting.
5. Follow the instructions to record and save.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the Voicemail tab (bottom right).
3. Tap Greeting (top left).
4. Select Custom > Tap Record to start recording.
5. Tap Save.

To manage voicemail efficiently, regularly check and delete old messages to free up space and stay organized. Use visual voicemail or transcription features (if available) to quickly scan and prioritize messages without listening to each one.

Start with a brief, polite, and informative voicemail greeting. Try to sound professional if you are setting up a business voicemail greeting. Let callers know what information to leave and when to expect a response.

Listen to all the new voicemail messages and respond based on urgency. Address high-priority messages first, then follow up on remaining ones. A prompt response shows professionalism and helps avoid delays in handling important queries.

Check your voicemail at set times every day, at least 2 to 3 times. This helps you avoid message pile-up and ensures timely responses. You can set up a calendar reminder to maintain a consistent routine for checking your voicemail.

After listening to and recording a voicemail, delete or archive it. This keeps your inbox clean, reduces glitches, and helps you to stay organized. A clutter-free voicemail box ensures you never miss a new message due to storage limitations.

For thriving businesses with high call volumes, using a voicemail receptionist service or an automated voicemail can make a big difference. These services help by efficiently handling missed calls, ensuring professional responses, routing messages to the right team, and reducing caller frustration.

Voicemail keeps you informed even if you miss the calls. Knowing how to listen to your voicemail using your phone, another device, or an app helps you respond faster, stay organized, and avoid missing important messages. Staying on top of your messages ensures you never miss an important call or update, whether for personal or professional reasons.
 

Yes, you can check voicemail without calling if your device and carrier support visual voicemail. You can view and play messages directly within the Phone app under the Voicemail tab.

To delete a voicemail on an iPhone, swipe left on the voicemail message and tap 'Delete.' On Android, open the voicemail, tap the options menu, and select 'Delete.'

Yes, you can read voicemail without listening if your carrier supports voicemail transcription. You can read transcribed versions of your voicemails in the Voicemail tab of your Phone app.