SUMMARY
- Setting up visual voicemail on iPhone is easy using the Voicemail tab in the Phone app, where you can use a default or custom greeting.
- Access visual voicemail messages through the Phone app to listen, transcribe, delete and save your messages.
- Remember not all regions and carriers support Visual Voicemail, in which case you might see a simple "Call" option instead.
Setting up visual voicemail on your iPhone is essential. You want to make sure that if you miss a call, the caller can leave a message. Here’s how to set up visual voicemail and check your messages on your iPhone.
Quick answer
- To set up visual voicemail on your iPhone, launch the Phone app (phone icon).
- Tap Voicemail > Set Up Now.
- Follow the prompts to set up Visual Voicemail.
What’s Visual Voicemail?
Visual Voicemail is a built-in iPhone feature that lets you view a list of voicemails and choose which one to play. No need to listen to all your messages or play them in order. This feature is supported by most mobile carriers, including AT&T® and Verizon®, but there may be a fee, and it may not be available in some regions or select countries. So, check with your carrier.
Once Visual Voicemail is set up, you can scroll through the list of messages and tap on one to play it, forward it, delete it, or save it for later. You’ll also see a short text preview of the message.
How to set up Visual Voicemail on your iPhone
Setting up visual voicemail on iPhone is a simple process that takes place in the Phone app. Below, we’ll show you how to get Visual Voicemail on your iPhone.
Activate Visual Voicemail
- Launch the Phone app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom of the Phone screen.
- Tap Set Up Now.
- Create a voicemail password.
- Choose a greeting—Default or Custom; if you choose Custom, you can record a new greeting.
Visit the Apple Support page to see which voicemail features are supported in your region and for your carrier.
How to check your iPhone Visual Voicemail
To see your iPhone visual voicemails, launch the Phone app, then tap the Voicemail tab. You’ll see a list of messages you’ve received as long as your carrier supports Visual Voicemail.
Select a message and tap the Play button to listen to it. If your wireless carrier also supports the Voicemail Transcription feature, you’ll also see messages transcribed to text. This is handy for a quick view of the message.
You’ll see a few other buttons for the voicemail message on the right side. Tap the speaker icon to hear the message in speaker mode, the phone icon to call the number back, or the trash can icon to delete the message.
You’ll also notice a share button on the top right you can use to send or share the message using your iPhone Share Sheet options. And finally, you have an info icon (small letter "i") for details about the call or caller.
How to check your messages when Visual Voicemail isn’t available
- On your iPhone: Tap Voicemail, then follow the instructions.
- On another phone: Dial your own mobile number, press * or # (depending on your carrier) to bypass your greeting, then enter your voicemail password.
How to fix “Visual Voicemail is currently unavailable” on iPhone
If you get an error message saying “Visual Voicemail is currently unavailable” with a button saying “Call Voicemail” when you want to check Visual Voicemail messages on your iPhone, here’s what to do:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Live Voicemail and turn on Live Voicemail.
- Double-click the Home Button (iPhones without Face ID) or swipe up from the bottom to the center of the screen (iPhones with Face ID) to see recently used apps. Then swipe up on the Phone app to close it.
- Reopen the Phone app and the “Visual Voicemail is currently unavailable” error will be gone.
