Dial your own number and use your PIN to retrieve messages

To check voicemail from a different phone, call your own phone number. When your voicemail greeting plays, press the asterisk key (*) or pound key (#) — the exact key depends on your carrier — to interrupt the greeting and enter your PIN (personal identification number). Your carrier assigned you a PIN when your account was set up, usually a four-digit code. Once you enter it correctly, you can listen to, delete, or save your messages from any phone.

This method works whether you are calling from a landline, another mobile phone, or a phone in a different country. The voicemail system recognizes you by your PIN, not by which phone you are using. If you have forgotten your PIN, you will need to contact your carrier's customer service to reset it — they can verify your identity and send you a temporary PIN by text or email.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your own phone number from any phone, then press * or # during your greeting to enter your PIN and access your messages.
  • Your PIN is a four-digit code assigned by your carrier; if you do not know it, contact customer service to have it reset.
  • Different carriers use different interrupt keys — AT&T and Verizon typically use *, while some regional carriers use # — so try both if one does not work.
  • Voicemail accessed this way is the same account as on your phone; deleting a message from another phone removes it from your device too.
  • If you are outside the United States, calling your own number may incur international charges, so check your plan before attempting this from abroad.

What happens if you do not know your PIN

If you have never set a PIN or cannot remember yours, you cannot access voicemail from another phone until you reset it. Contact your carrier's customer service line — the number is usually on your bill or on the carrier's website. You will need to verify your identity by providing your phone number, account holder name, and sometimes the last four digits of the Social Security number on the account.

Once verified, the carrier will either reset your PIN to a temporary one (which they will text or email to you) or allow you to create a new one over the phone. This process typically takes a few minutes. Some carriers also allow you to reset your PIN through their online account portal if you can log in with your username and password.

The interrupt key varies by carrier

Most major carriers in the United States use the asterisk (*) to interrupt your voicemail greeting, but some use the pound key (#). AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile generally use *. If you are unsure which key your carrier uses, try * first; if that does not work, hang up and call again, then try #.

Regional carriers and prepaid services may differ, so if neither key works, check your carrier's website or call customer service to confirm the correct interrupt key. Some older systems or business phone lines may use a different method entirely, such as waiting for a beep or pressing a specific number sequence.

Accessing voicemail while traveling internationally

If you are outside the United States and need to check voicemail, calling your own number will work the same way — dial your number, press the interrupt key, enter your PIN. However, calling a US number from abroad typically incurs international charges on your phone bill, even though you are calling your own voicemail. The cost depends on your carrier's international rates and the country you are calling from.

Before traveling, check your carrier's website or call customer service to learn the cost per minute for calls to the United States from your destination. Some carriers offer international plans that include cheaper rates to the US. Alternatively, if you have access to WiFi, you may be able to use a messaging app or email to stay in touch with callers, reducing the need to check voicemail frequently.

Why you might not hear the interrupt prompt

If you call your voicemail number and do not hear a prompt to enter your PIN, the call may have gone to your phone's answering machine instead of your carrier's voicemail system. This happens when your phone is powered off or in airplane mode. Make sure the phone you are calling is turned on and connected to a network (cellular or WiFi) so the call reaches the voicemail system.

Another reason you might not hear a prompt is if your voicemail has been disabled on your account. This is rare but can happen if you requested it or if there was a billing issue. If you consistently cannot reach your voicemail from other phones, contact your carrier to confirm that voicemail is active on your account.

Saving messages and managing your account remotely

When you access voicemail from another phone, you can listen to messages, delete them, or save them — the same options available on your own device. After listening to a message, the system will prompt you to press a key to delete, save, or replay it. Deleting a message from another phone removes it permanently from your voicemail account, just as if you had deleted it on your phone.

Some carriers also allow you to manage voicemail through their website or app. If you log into your account online, you may be able to listen to voicemail, read it as an audio file, or set up call forwarding without calling your voicemail number. This can be faster and more convenient than calling from another phone, especially if you need to manage multiple messages or adjust your settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else check my voicemail if they know my PIN?

Yes. If another person knows your PIN, they can call your number and access your voicemail messages. This is why it is important to keep your PIN private and change it if you suspect someone else knows it. You can change your PIN through your carrier's website, app, or by calling customer service.

What if I am calling from a phone that blocks caller ID?

Blocking your caller ID does not prevent you from accessing your voicemail. The voicemail system identifies you by your PIN, not by your phone number or caller ID. Call your own number normally, and the system will work the same way.

Can I check voicemail on a phone that is not connected to a network?

No. The phone you are calling from must have an active cellular connection or WiFi to make the call to your voicemail system. If the phone has no signal, the call will not go through. Make sure you are in an area with coverage before attempting to call.

Will checking voicemail from another phone cost me money?

Calling your own voicemail number counts as a regular call and uses your minutes or data, depending on whether you call over cellular or WiFi. If you have unlimited calling, there is no extra charge. If you are calling from another person's phone, the charge appears on their bill, not yours.

What if my carrier uses a different system, like Google Voice?

If your voicemail is through Google Voice or another third-party service rather than your carrier's system, the process may differ. Google Voice allows you to check messages through the app or website from any device. Check your carrier's documentation or contact customer service to learn how to access your specific voicemail system from another phone.