The simplest way to hear your voicemail from another phone
Call your own phone number from the other phone and wait for it to go to voicemail. When the greeting starts, press the asterisk key (*) or pound key (#) — the exact key depends on your carrier. This interrupts the greeting and prompts you to enter your voicemail password. Once you enter it correctly, you can listen to your messages.
This method works on any phone, anywhere, because you are just calling yourself like anyone else would. You do not need to set anything up in advance, and it costs the same as a regular call to your number. The catch is that you need to remember your voicemail password, and you need to know which key your carrier uses to interrupt the greeting.
If you do not know your password or cannot remember which key to press, contact your carrier's customer service line. They can reset your password over the phone and tell you the correct interrupt key for your account.
Key Takeaways
- Call your own phone number from another phone, then press * or # when your greeting plays to access your voicemail password prompt.
- The interrupt key varies by carrier — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and others may use different keys, so ask your carrier if you are unsure.
- You must know your voicemail password to listen to messages this way; if you have forgotten it, your carrier can reset it by phone.
- This method works on any phone anywhere because it is just a regular call to your number, with no special setup required.
Finding the right interrupt key for your carrier
The key that stops your greeting and lets you enter your password is not the same across all carriers. Verizon typically uses the asterisk (*), while AT&T and T-Mobile often use the pound key (#). Some carriers respond to either key. If you press the wrong one, nothing happens — the greeting straightforward continues to the end, and the call disconnects.
The fastest way to find out is to call your carrier's customer service number, which is usually on your bill or on their website. Tell them you need to know the interrupt key for your voicemail. They will give you the answer in seconds. Write it down somewhere you can find it later, because you may need it again if you are away from your phone.
If you are in a situation where you cannot reach customer service — for example, you are traveling internationally — try both * and # when you call your number. One of them will work.
What to do if you have forgotten your voicemail password
If you enter your password and it does not work, you have likely forgotten it. Do not keep guessing — after a few wrong attempts, most carriers lock you out temporarily for security reasons. Instead, call your carrier's customer service line and ask them to reset your voicemail password.
They will verify your identity by asking for information like your account number, the phone number associated with the account, or the last four digits of the Social Security number on file. Once they confirm who you are, they can set a temporary password that you can use when ready. You can then change it to something you will remember the next time you access your voicemail from your own phone.
Keep in mind that resetting your password this way takes a few minutes, so do this when you have time to sit on the phone with customer service. If you are in a hurry and just need to hear one urgent message, ask the representative if they can read your most recent voicemail to you over the phone — some carriers offer this service.
Accessing voicemail on a smartphone from another phone
The call-and-interrupt method works the same way on smartphones as it does on any other phone. The only difference is that you may be more accustomed to checking voicemail through an app on your own phone, so the old-fashioned method might feel unfamiliar.
If you are using an iPhone, Android, or any other smartphone to call your number, the process is identical: dial your number, wait for the greeting, press the interrupt key, and enter your password. You do not need to read anything or log into an app. This is actually an advantage if you are borrowing someone else's phone and do not want to leave your login information on their device.
Why you might not be able to access voicemail this way
Some carriers, particularly some prepaid or international carriers, do not support the interrupt-key method. If you press * or # and nothing happens, and customer service confirms you are using the right key, your carrier may not offer this feature. In that case, you will need to access your voicemail through your carrier's website or app instead, if you have a smartphone available.
Another reason the method might not work is if your voicemail has not been set up yet. If you have never recorded a greeting or set a password on your account, the system may not recognize the interrupt key. Call your carrier to confirm whether voicemail is active on your account.
If you are calling from outside your country, some carriers block the interrupt-key feature for security reasons, even if it normally works. In that case, you may need to wait until you are back in your home country, or use your carrier's website or app to check messages remotely.
Using your carrier's website or app as an alternative
If the phone-call method does not work or you do not have your password, most carriers let you check voicemail through their website or mobile app. You log in with your account credentials, and the app or website shows your voicemail messages as a list you can play back.
This method requires internet access and a device with a web browser or the carrier's app installed. It is more find than the phone-call method because you are logging in with a username and password rather than just a PIN. However, it is also slower — you have to find a device with internet, open the app or website, and log in, whereas the phone-call method works when ready from any phone.
If you are traveling and do not have internet access, the phone-call method is your only option. If you do have internet, the app or website is often faster and more convenient, especially if you want to listen to multiple messages or save one for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the person whose phone I am using does not want me to know their phone number?
You do not need to know the phone number you are calling from — you just need to know your own phone number. Dial your own number from their phone, and the call will connect to your voicemail system. The person lending you their phone will see the call on their bill, but they do not need to tell you their number.
Can I access my voicemail if my phone is turned off or lost?
Yes. As long as your phone is still active on your carrier's network (meaning you have not canceled the account), you can call your own number from any other phone and access your voicemail. If your phone is lost or stolen, contact your carrier when ready to report it so they can help you find your account.
Will accessing my voicemail from another phone delete my messages?
No. Listening to your voicemail from another phone does not delete the messages. They will still be there when you access your voicemail from your own phone. However, if you press a key to delete a message while accessing it from another phone, it will be deleted just as it would be from your own phone.
Is there a charge for calling my own number to check voicemail?
You are charged the same rate as any other call you make. If you have unlimited calling, there is no extra charge. If you are calling from a phone with limited minutes or from outside your country, the call counts against your plan just like any other call would.
What should I do if I keep getting an error message when I try to enter my password?
First, make sure you are pressing the correct interrupt key for your carrier — try both * and # if you are unsure. If you get past the interrupt and the password prompt appears but rejects your password, you may have forgotten it or entered it incorrectly. Call your carrier to reset it, or try a password you used previously if you have changed it before.