Retrieve Deleted Voicemail on Android and iPhone: 3 Methods

Voicemails on Android devices are generally stored on your mobile carrier’s server, not directly on the device. You can access them through the built-in Phone app or your carrier’s voicemail app. If you want to keep a copy, some apps allow you to download and save voicemails locally.

On iPhone, voicemails are stored in your carrier's voicemail system, and when you open them using Visual Voicemail, they’re automatically downloaded to your phone, so that you can listen to them even without access to the internet.

The storage time of the voicemail generally depends on the carrier. Most carriers retain unsaved voicemails for approximately 14 to 30 days before automatically deleting them, and few apps store them in a deleted folder.

To keep voicemails longer, save them to your inbox, use a visual voicemail app, or back up in Drive or third-party tools. If your voice messages are removed from your device, it is difficult to retrieve them.

There are many reasons for voicemail data loss on iPhone and Android, including accidental deletion, system updates, storage limits, factory resets without backups, and physical damage to devices.

• Accidental Deletion: Users often accidentally delete voicemails when clearing storage or performing bulk deletions, sometimes removing important messages unintentionally.
• System Updates: System updates on iPhone and Android can occasionally reset settings or delete data, resulting in lost voicemails, especially if backup options are not enabled.
• Storage Limitations: Limited voicemail storage can lead to older messages being overwritten or deleted automatically, particularly when the voicemail inbox reaches capacity.
• Factory Reset: Performing a factory reset or restoring data without a recent backup often erases all voicemail data on the device.
• Voicemail App Crashes and Bugs: Technical issues, such as app crashes or software bugs, can corrupt or lose voicemail data, especially during updates or app reinstallations.
• Malware or Security Threats: Malware or other security threats may delete, corrupt, or alter voicemail data, particularly if the device is compromised.
• Carrier-Related Issues: Network or server issues with the carrier may cause temporary voicemail loss or permanent deletion if the carrier’s storage system malfunctions.
• Hardware Damage: Physical damage to the device, like water exposure or hardware failure, can corrupt or make voicemail data inaccessible.

Yes, you can retrieve deleted voicemails on both Android and iPhone. Both devices usually store recently deleted voicemails in a “Deleted Messages,” “Trash,” or “Deleted Voicemails” folder, while some voicemail apps may allow you to recover them quickly.

On iPhones, you can also try restoring from an iTunes or iCloud backup if the voicemail was backed up. For Android, third-party recovery apps may help retrieve older voicemails. Thus, it is best to back up important voicemails regularly to avoid permanent loss.

Here are the 5 ways to recover deleted voicemail on iPhone:

iPhone keeps recently deleted voicemails in a "Deleted Messages" folder within the Voicemail app, allowing easy recovery if they haven’t been permanently deleted.

Steps:

1. Open the Phone app and go through the Voicemail tab.
2. Scroll down to find the Deleted Messages section.
3. Tap Deleted Messages to see all recently deleted voicemails.
4. Select the voicemail you wish to recover.
5. Tap Undelete to move it back to the main Voicemail inbox.

Third-party Apps can help you retrieve deleted voicemails by scanning your iPhone’s storage. It’s crucial to choose a reputable data recovery app that supports iOS devices. Here are the steps to follow:

Steps:

1. Download and install a reputable Data Recovery APP on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable and open a Third-party App.
3. Select the Recover from iOS Device and allow the program to scan your device.
4. Browse through the results and locate the deleted voicemail.
5. Click on Recover to save it back to your device or computer.

If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you may be able to recover deleted voicemails by restoring your iPhone from an earlier iCloud backup.

Steps:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and go to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
2. After your iPhone resets, follow the setup process until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
3. Click Restore from iCloud Backup and sign in using your Apple ID.
4. Pick the files you want to back up, including voicemails.
5. Then, click Start at the bottom of the screen to begin the backup process.
6. Once the backup is complete, your voicemails will be safely stored on the computer. However, the backup process will replace your existing data.

You can retrieve deleted voicemails on Android by checking your voicemail provider's app or using a third-party app or data recovery software if the voicemail was stored locally on your device.

Most Android devices have a built-in Voicemail app where deleted voicemails are temporarily stored in a “Deleted Messages” or “Trash” folder for a limited time.

Steps:

1. Open the Voicemail app on your Android device.
2. Go to Menu.
3. Look for an option: Deleted Messages or Trash.
4. Select the voicemail you want to retrieve.
5. Tap the Restore or Undelete to move it back to your main voicemail inbox.

If the voicemail is not in the deleted folder, third-party recovery tools can help, though they won’t always work.

Steps:

1. Download and install a reliable data recovery app on your computer.
2. Connect your Android device to the computer.
3. Open the software and select the Data Recovery option.
4. Follow the instructions to scan your device and external memory for deleted files, including voicemails.
5. Once the scan completes, locate your deleted voicemail and select it for recovery.
6. Save the recovered voicemail to a safe location.

Some Android devices allow you to recover deleted voicemails directly from the phone app if you do so soon after they are deleted during a call.

1. Do not hang up the call.
2. Open the Phone Dialer and dial 1 on the dialpad.
3. Tap on 9 to check erased messages.
4. Once you hear the voicemail you need to retrieve, press the right number to get it back.

To prevent losing essential voice messages, you can save them to email, drive, or as audio files. You can also use a voicemail app with a trash folder, enable automatic backups, and ensure you have sufficient storage space on your device.

Don’t just entirely depend on your phone’s voicemail app. You can forward voicemails by email, save them to cloud storage, or download them as audio files to your computer or Google Drive.

Some voicemail apps permanently delete messages without a backup folder. Instead, use an app that saves deleted voicemails for a few days before deleting them permanently. It provides you with a second chance to recover anything removed mistakenly.

Enable iCloud (for iPhone) or Google One backup (for Android) to ensure your voicemails are saved during each backup session. This can also help you restore data if your device is lost or reset.

Sometimes, if your device's storage is low, it may automatically delete old voicemails without warning. To avoid such issues, you can clear out unused apps, large files, or extra photos.

Recovering deleted voicemails on Android and iPhone is achievable through various methods, from built-in voicemail apps and backups to reliable third-party tools. Using them can help retrieve deleted voicemails. Regular backups remain the best way to protect your voicemails and ensure you never lose valuable information. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently manage and recover your voicemails.