Setting up voicemail on Samsung takes five minutes and uses your phone's built-in voicemail app

Most Samsung phones come with voicemail already installed, but you need to set it up before callers can leave messages. The process differs slightly depending on whether you use the default Samsung Voicemail app or your carrier's voicemail system — but both routes start the same way. You will create a PIN, record a greeting, and tell your carrier's system to route calls to voicemail after a set number of rings.

The fastest method is to open the Phone app, tap the Voicemail tab, and follow the prompts. If that tab does not appear, your carrier may require you to dial a code instead. Either way, you will be guided through each step and can finish without leaving your home.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, and follow the on-screen prompts to create a PIN and record your greeting.
  • If your phone does not show a Voicemail tab, dial your carrier's voicemail setup code — usually *86 or *98 — from your Samsung phone.
  • Your PIN should be at least 4 digits and something you can remember but others cannot easily guess.
  • You can record a custom greeting or use the default one; callers hear your greeting before leaving a message.
  • After setup, missed calls automatically route to voicemail after 4 to 6 rings, depending on your carrier.

Using the Samsung Voicemail app (the easiest route)

Open the Phone app on your home screen. At the bottom, you should see four tabs: Recents, Contacts, Keypad, and Voicemail. Tap Voicemail. If this is your first time, the app will prompt you to set up voicemail.

Tap the setup button or "Set up voicemail" message. The system will ask you to create a PIN — enter a 4-digit number or longer that you will remember. Write it down somewhere safe; you will need it to check voicemail from another phone. After you enter the PIN twice to confirm it, the system will ask you to record a greeting. Speak clearly and keep it brief — something like "Hi, this is Sarah. Leave a message and I'll call you back." Tap Save or Done.

Your voicemail is now active. Callers who reach you when you are unavailable, on another call, or have your phone off will hear your greeting and can leave a message. You can check voicemail anytime by opening the Phone app and tapping the Voicemail tab, then tapping the message you want to hear.

If your phone does not have a Voicemail tab

Some carriers do not use Samsung's built-in voicemail app and instead route you through their own system. If you do not see a Voicemail tab in the Phone app, you will set up voicemail by dialing a code. The code varies by carrier: Verizon uses *86, AT&T uses *98, T-Mobile uses *123, and others may differ.

Open the Phone app, tap Keypad, and dial the code for your carrier. Press the call button. You will hear an automated voice guide you through creating a PIN and recording a greeting. Follow the same steps as above — create a PIN, record a greeting, and confirm. When you are done, hang up. Your voicemail is now set up through your carrier's system.

If you are unsure which code to use, call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask for the voicemail setup code. They can also confirm whether voicemail is turned on for your account.

Recording a custom greeting instead of using the default

After initial setup, you can change your greeting anytime. Open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, and look for a Settings or Greeting option — the exact button name depends on your carrier. Tap it, then select "Custom greeting" or "Record greeting."

Tap Record, speak your message, and tap Stop or Save. Listen to it to make sure it sounds right. If you want to use the default greeting instead (usually just your phone number read aloud), select "Default greeting" from the same menu. You can switch between custom and default as often as you like.

Changing your PIN or turning voicemail off

To change your PIN, open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, and find Settings. Look for "Change PIN" or "Security settings." Enter your current PIN, then enter your new PIN twice. Write down the new PIN in a safe place.

To turn voicemail off entirely, go to Voicemail settings and look for an option to disable or deactivate voicemail. Some carriers do not allow you to turn it off through the app; if you cannot find the option, call your carrier and ask them to disable voicemail on your account. Keep in mind that if voicemail is off, callers will hear a message that you are unavailable and cannot take a message.

Checking your voicemail from your Samsung phone

Open the Phone app and tap the Voicemail tab. You will see a list of messages, with the newest at the top. Each message shows the caller's phone number (if available), the date and time, and how long the message is. Tap any message to play it. You can delete messages by swiping left or tapping a delete button, depending on your phone model.

If you have a lot of messages, you can mark older ones as read or archive them so they do not clutter your list. Look for a menu button (three dots) in the Voicemail tab to find these options. Most carriers keep voicemail messages for 30 days before deleting them automatically, so do not rely on voicemail for long-term storage of important information.

Checking voicemail from another phone

If you need to check your voicemail while using a different phone, dial your own phone number. When your voicemail greeting plays, press the asterisk key (*) or pound key (#) — the exact key varies by carrier. You will be prompted to enter your PIN. After you enter it, you can listen to, delete, or save messages just as you would on your Samsung phone.

If the asterisk or pound key does not work, try pressing 0 during the greeting to reach customer service, or call your carrier's main number and ask how to check voicemail remotely. Keep your PIN private; anyone who knows it can listen to your messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I use as my voicemail PIN?

Choose a 4-digit number or longer that you can remember but others cannot easily guess. Avoid birthdays, phone numbers, or repeating numbers like 1111. Write it down and store it somewhere safe — not in your phone contacts where someone could find it. You will need this PIN to check voicemail from another phone.

Why am I not receiving voicemail notifications?

Check that voicemail is turned on in your Phone app settings. Also check that your notification settings allow the Phone app to send alerts — go to Settings, then Apps, find Phone, tap Notifications, and make sure notifications are enabled. If you still do not see alerts, restart your phone and contact your carrier to confirm voicemail is active on your account.

Can I have voicemail transcription on my Samsung?

Some carriers offer voicemail-to-text, which converts voicemail messages to written text and sends them to you as a text message or in your voicemail app. This feature is not standard on all Samsung phones or carriers. Contact your carrier to ask whether voicemail transcription is available on your plan and how to turn it on.

What happens if I forget my voicemail PIN?

Call your carrier's customer service number and tell them you forgot your PIN. They will verify your identity and reset your PIN, usually to a temporary one they give you over the phone. Log into your voicemail with the temporary PIN and change it to something you will remember.

How long does voicemail stay on my phone?

Most carriers keep voicemail messages for 30 days before deleting them automatically. If you want to keep a message longer, some phones let you mark it as saved or archive it. Check your Voicemail settings to see if this option is available. For important information, it is better to write it down or forward the message to yourself by email rather than rely on voicemail storage.