How to Set Up Voicemail
New phone, new number, or never got round to it? Here's how to set up voicemail, record a greeting, and read your messages instead of listening to them.
Voicemail comes from your carrier
Your mobile carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and so on) runs your voicemail box, not your phone. That's why setup asks you to create a voicemail password (PIN), and why some steps differ slightly between carriers.
SET UPSet up your voicemail
Follow the steps for your phone.
- Open the Phone app and tap Voicemail (bottom right).
- Tap Set Up Now.
- Create a voicemail password, then enter it again to confirm.
- Choose Default for a standard greeting, or Custom to record your own, then tap Save.
No “Set Up Now” button? Tap Call Voicemail instead and follow the spoken prompts, or contact your carrier; visual voicemail isn't offered on every plan.
- Open the Phone app and tap the keypad.
- Press and hold 1. This calls your voicemail box.
- Follow the spoken prompts: create a PIN, record your name, and record or choose a greeting.
To see voicemails as a list instead of calling in, turn on visual voicemail: in the Phone app tap ⋮ › Settings › Voicemail › Visual voicemail. Samsung phones use the Voicemail app, or the carrier's own app.
In the Phone app tap Voicemail, then Greeting (top left). Choose Custom, tap Record, then Stop and Save.
Press and hold 1 to call voicemail, then choose the option for personal options or greetings from the menu. Some phones also have it under Phone › Settings › Voicemail › Advanced settings.
Example greeting: “Hi, you've reached Sam Lee. I can't take your call right now, so please leave your name, number and a short message and I'll call you back. Thanks!”
On iPhone, go to Settings › Apps › Phone (Settings › Phone on older iOS) and tap Change Voicemail Password.
Otherwise, your carrier can reset it, usually in its app or by calling customer service:
- Verizon: the My Verizon app.
- AT&T: the myAT&T app.
- T-Mobile: the T-Life app, or dial 611.
iPhone shows a written transcript under each voicemail when it's supported in your language and region. Live Voicemail lets you read a message as it's being left; it's under Settings › Apps › Phone.
Pixel and many other Android phones transcribe visual voicemail automatically. Check Phone › Settings › Voicemail for a transcription option, or your carrier's voicemail app.
Contact your carrier. Voicemail sometimes needs to be turned on for your line, especially after switching carriers or phones.
FAQCommon questions
Why does it say my mailbox isn't set up?
Voicemail must be set up once per line, including on new numbers and after switching carriers. Follow step 1 for your phone.
What's visual voicemail?
It shows voicemails as a list you can tap to play in any order, instead of calling in and listening one by one. Most carriers include it.
My voicemail box is full. How do I clear it?
Delete old messages. On iPhone, also clear Deleted Messages at the bottom of the Voicemail list. On Android, delete them in the voicemail list or press 7 (on most carriers) while listening.
Can I turn voicemail off?
Carriers usually have to do this for you. Call customer service or check the carrier's app.