The fastest way: use a voicemail-to-email service built into your phone

If your carrier offers voicemail-to-email, your voicemails arrive as audio files in your inbox automatically. You then read them to your computer like any other attachment. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all offer this at no extra cost, though the feature must be turned on in your voicemail settings.

To enable it, call your voicemail box, navigate to settings or preferences (usually by pressing 0 or 9), and look for an option called "voicemail to email" or "visual voicemail." You will need to enter an email address where the files should land. Once set up, new voicemails arrive as .wav or .mp3 files you can save, organize, or back up however you choose.

This method works for new voicemails going forward. If you have old voicemails already on your phone that you want to save, you will need a different approach.

Key Takeaways

  • Voicemail-to-email is the simplest method and works automatically once enabled in your carrier's voicemail settings, sending new messages as audio files to your email inbox.
  • If your carrier does not offer voicemail-to-email, you can use a third-party app like Google Voice or a call-recording app to capture and store voicemails.
  • To save existing voicemails from your phone, you can screen-record the playback, use a call-recording app, or transfer them through a computer connected via USB.
  • Audio files saved to your computer should be backed up to cloud storage or an external drive to prevent loss if your computer fails.

Using Google Voice to capture and store voicemails

Google Voice is a free service that gives you a separate phone number and handles voicemails as transcribed text and audio files stored in your Google account. You can forward your existing phone number to your Google Voice number, or give people your Google Voice number directly.

To set this up, go to voice.google.com on your computer, sign in with your Google account, and follow the prompts to claim a number or link your existing number. Once active, voicemails go to your Google Voice inbox instead of your carrier's system. You can then read each voicemail as an .mp3 file to your computer.

The trade-off is that people calling your main number will reach Google Voice's system instead of your carrier's voicemail, and the experience may feel different. Google Voice also does not work on all carriers equally—check compatibility before committing.

Recording voicemails with your phone's screen recorder

If you want to save a voicemail that is already on your phone and your carrier does not offer voicemail-to-email, you can use your iPhone's built-in screen recording tool. Open the Control Center (swipe down from the top right), press and hold the Record button, tap Microphone Audio to turn it on, then tap Start Recording. Play the voicemail through your phone's speaker, and the audio will be captured as a video file.

Once recorded, the file lands in your Photos app. Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB, open Finder (on Mac) or File Explorer (on Windows), and drag the video file to your computer. You can then use free software like VLC or Audacity to extract just the audio and save it as an .mp3 or .wav file.

This method works for individual voicemails but becomes tedious if you have many to save. It also captures background noise and the sound of your phone playing the message, not a clean copy of the original file.

Using a call-recording app for ongoing capture

Apps like TapeACall, Call Recorder by Cube, or Rev Call Recorder can record incoming calls and voicemails automatically. Most require a paid subscription (typically $5 to $15 per month) and store recordings in the app's cloud system, where you can read them to your computer.

These apps work by creating a conference call with the voicemail system and recording both sides. The quality is usually good, and the files are organized by date and caller. However, some carriers restrict call recording, and you may need to check your state's laws—some states require all parties to consent to recording.

If you choose this route, test the app with one voicemail first to make sure it captures audio clearly and that the subscription cost makes sense for your needs.

Transferring voicemails via USB connection

If you use a Mac, you can connect your iPhone and use a tool like PhoneRescue or iMazing to browse your phone's voicemail files directly. These apps can sometimes extract voicemail data that your phone stores locally and transfer it to your computer as audio files.

PhoneRescue is free to read and preview files but charges for extraction. iMazing offers a free trial and costs around $40 for a one-time license. Both require you to trust the app with access to your phone's data, so research reviews before installing.

This method only works if your phone has actually stored the voicemail file locally, which depends on your carrier and iOS version. It is worth trying if other methods have not worked, but it is not may provide to recover old voicemails.

Organizing and backing up voicemails on your computer

Once you have voicemail files on your computer, create a folder structure to keep them organized—for example, a "Voicemails" folder with subfolders by year or by contact name. Name each file clearly with the date and caller so you can find it later.

Back up your voicemail files to cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, or to an external hard drive. If your computer fails, your voicemails will still be safe. Many people keep both a cloud copy and a local backup for extra security.

If the voicemails are important for legal or business reasons, consider storing them in a format that is harder to accidentally delete or modify, and keep a second copy in a separate location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save voicemails from my iPhone if my carrier does not offer voicemail-to-email?

Yes. You can use Google Voice, a call-recording app, or your phone's screen recorder to capture voicemails and transfer them to your computer. Screen recording is free but requires manual work for each message. Call-recording apps are automatic but usually cost money.

Will saving voicemails to my computer delete them from my iPhone?

No. Saving a copy to your computer does not remove the voicemail from your phone. You can delete the voicemail from your phone after you have confirmed the copy on your computer is complete and plays correctly.

What audio format should I use to save voicemails?

.mp3 and .wav are the most common and widely supported formats. Most voicemail-to-email services send .wav files, and you can convert them to .mp3 using free software like Audacity if you want smaller file sizes for storage.

Can I recover voicemails I already deleted from my iPhone?

Once deleted from your phone, voicemails are usually gone unless your carrier keeps a backup on their servers. Some carriers hold deleted voicemails for a short time—contact your carrier to ask. Apps like PhoneRescue may recover data in rare cases, but recovery is not may provide.

Is it legal to record voicemails?

Recording voicemails you receive is legal in most U.S. states. However, some states require all parties in a conversation to consent to recording. Check your state's laws before using a call-recording app, especially if you plan to share the recordings with others.