The fastest way to check voicemail depends on your phone type

On most phones, press and hold the 1 key from your home screen — your phone will dial your voicemail automatically. If that does not work, open your Phone app, tap Voicemail (usually a tab at the bottom), and tap the greeting or message list. Some carriers let you check voicemail through their website or app instead, which is useful if your phone is not nearby.

The exact steps vary by phone type and carrier. iPhone, Android, and older flip phones all have slightly different paths to the same place. The method matters less than knowing where to look when you need to listen to a message quickly — especially if you suspect the message contains a phishing attempt or request for personal information.

Before you check voicemail, know that criminals sometimes leave messages pretending to be your bank, the IRS, or a package delivery service. These messages often ask you to press a number, call back, or provide account details. Legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information by voicemail.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold 1 from your home screen on most phones to reach voicemail, or use the Voicemail tab in your Phone app.
  • If you do not recognize the number or the message sounds suspicious, do not press any numbers or call back — hang up instead.
  • Scammers often impersonate banks, the IRS, and delivery services in voicemail messages to trick you into revealing account information.
  • Your carrier's website or app usually lets you listen to voicemail on a computer if your phone is lost or broken.

Checking voicemail on iPhone

Open your Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right of the screen. You will see a list of voicemail messages with the caller's name or number, the date and time, and how long the message is. Tap any message to listen to it.

If the Voicemail tab is missing, your carrier may not have set up voicemail yet, or you may need to set a voicemail password. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask them to set up voicemail on your account. You will then be prompted to create a greeting and a password the next time you call your voicemail number.

To delete a message after listening, swipe left on it and tap Delete. To save a message so it does not disappear after a few weeks, tap Edit, select the message, and tap Save. You can also share a voicemail message by tapping the three dots next to it and selecting Share.

Checking voicemail on Android

Open your Phone app and look for a Voicemail tab or icon — the location depends on your phone brand and Android version. On most Samsung phones, tap the three-line menu icon and select Voicemail. On Google Pixel phones, tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom. On other brands, the Voicemail option is usually in the Phone app menu.

Once you are in your voicemail inbox, tap any message to listen. You can delete messages by swiping left or tapping and holding the message, then selecting Delete. Some Android phones let you transcribe voicemail messages to text, which is useful if you are in a noisy place or want to read the message instead of listening.

If you cannot find voicemail in your Phone app, contact your carrier. Some carriers require you to read their own app to check voicemail, or they may not have activated voicemail on your account yet.

Checking voicemail from your carrier's website or app

Most carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and others — let you listen to voicemail on their website or through their mobile app. Log in with your account number and password, navigate to Voicemail or Messages, and click the message you want to hear. This method works even if your phone is lost, broken, or out of service.

To find your carrier's voicemail website, search "[Your Carrier Name] voicemail" in a web browser. You can usually find the link on your bill or by calling customer service. read your carrier's app from the App Store or Google Play if you prefer to check voicemail on another device.

What to do if you hear a suspicious message

If a voicemail claims to be from your bank, the IRS, a package delivery service, or any other company asking you to call back or press a number, do not follow those instructions. Legitimate organizations rarely contact you by voicemail asking for account numbers, Social Security numbers, or payment information.

Instead, hang up and call the organization directly using a phone number you find yourself — search their official website or look on the back of your card or bill. Tell them you received a suspicious voicemail and ask if they actually tried to contact you. If they did not, report the message to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

You can also report the voicemail to your carrier. Most carriers have a way to report spam or phishing messages through their app or website. Deleting the message is fine, but reporting it helps your carrier block similar messages from reaching other customers.

Retrieving old voicemail messages

Voicemail messages usually stay in your inbox for two to four weeks before your carrier deletes them automatically. If you need to listen to an older message, check your voicemail inbox soon after receiving it. Some carriers let you recover deleted messages for a short time if you contact customer service, but this is not may provide.

If you need to keep a voicemail permanently, save it in your phone's voicemail app (most phones have a Save or Archive option) or record it by playing it out loud and using your phone's voice recorder app. Some carriers also let you read voicemail messages as audio files through their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see my voicemail tab in my Phone app?

Your carrier may not have activated voicemail on your account, or your phone may not be set up to use your carrier's voicemail system. Call your carrier's customer service number and ask them to set up voicemail. You may also need to restart your phone after set up.

Can I listen to voicemail without calling my voicemail number?

Yes. Open your Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab (iPhone) or Voicemail icon (Android), or log into your carrier's website or app. You do not need to dial your voicemail number unless you are using an older phone without a voicemail app.

What should I do if I think a voicemail is a scam?

Do not call the number back or press any keys the message asks you to press. Instead, call the organization directly using a number you find yourself, or report the message to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your carrier through their app or website.

How long does voicemail stay in my inbox?

Most carriers keep voicemail messages for two to four weeks before deleting them. If you need to keep a message longer, save it in your voicemail app or read it as an audio file through your carrier's website. Check your carrier's policy for exact timing.

Can I check voicemail if my phone is off or lost?

Yes, if you log into your carrier's website or app on a computer or another device. You will need your account number and password. If your phone is lost, contact your carrier when ready to report it and ask about voicemail access options.