The fastest way to check voicemail on Samsung

On most Samsung phones, you check voicemail by opening the Phone app, tapping the Voicemail tab at the bottom, and selecting the voicemail message you want to hear. The exact steps depend on which carrier you use — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others each run their own voicemail systems — but the Phone app is the standard entry point on all Samsung devices.

If you do not see a Voicemail tab in your Phone app, your carrier may require you to dial your voicemail number directly. This is usually *86 or *87, or you can find it in your carrier's settings within the Phone app under Settings > Voicemail.

Key Takeaways

  • The Phone app's Voicemail tab is the quickest way to check messages on most Samsung phones, and you can listen, delete, or save messages from there.
  • If your Phone app does not show a Voicemail tab, dial *86 or *87 to reach your voicemail system, or check your carrier's voicemail settings in the Phone app.
  • You can set up voicemail transcription through your carrier's app (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) so you can read messages instead of listening to them.
  • If you forget your voicemail password, contact your carrier directly — they can reset it or send you a temporary one by text.

Checking voicemail through the Phone app

Open the Phone app on your Samsung home screen. At the bottom of the screen, you should see four tabs: Favorites, Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail. Tap the Voicemail tab on the far right.

You will see a list of your voicemail messages, usually with the caller's name or number, the date and time, and how long the message is. Tap any message to play it. While a message is playing, you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward using the controls on screen. After you finish listening, you can delete the message by tapping the trash icon, or save it by tapping the save icon (usually a bookmark or pin).

If the Voicemail tab does not appear in your Phone app, your carrier may not have set it up yet, or your phone may need a software update. Go to Settings > About Phone > Software Update and install any pending updates, then restart your phone and check again.

Dialing voicemail directly if the app does not work

If the Voicemail tab is still missing, you can reach your voicemail by dialing a code. Open the Phone app and tap the keypad icon at the bottom. Dial *86 or *87 and press the call button. Your carrier's voicemail system will answer and prompt you to enter your password.

The first time you call this way, you may be asked to set up a password if you have not already. Follow the voice prompts to create a four-digit PIN. Write it down somewhere safe — you will need it every time you check voicemail this way.

Once you are logged in, the system will tell you how many new messages you have and play them one at a time. You can press keys on the keypad to delete, save, or skip messages. The exact keys vary by carrier, but the system will tell you which ones to use.

Setting up voicemail transcription

Many carriers now offer voicemail transcription, which converts your voicemail messages to text so you can read them instead of listening. This feature is usually free and is set up through your carrier's own app, not through Samsung.

If you use Verizon, open the My Verizon app, go to Account > Voicemail, and turn on Visual Voicemail. For AT&T, open the AT&T Mobile app, tap Account > Voicemail, and enable AT&T Call Protect or AT&T Digital Life. T-Mobile customers can turn on voicemail transcription in the T-Mobile app under Account > Voicemail Settings.

Once transcription is on, new voicemail messages will appear as text in your carrier's app within a few minutes of being left. The transcription is not always perfect — names and numbers may be misheard — but it lets you scan messages quickly without listening to each one.

Changing your voicemail password

Your voicemail password protects your messages from being heard by someone else who has access to your phone. To change it, open your carrier's app and look for voicemail settings. In Verizon, this is under Account > Voicemail > Voicemail Settings. In AT&T, it is Account > Voicemail > Change Voicemail Password. T-Mobile users should go to Account > Voicemail > Security.

You will be asked to enter your current password, then create a new one. Passwords are usually four to six digits. Avoid using obvious numbers like your birth year or repeating digits (1111, 2222). After you change your password, you will need to use the new one the next time you dial into voicemail.

If you forget your password, you cannot reset it through the Phone app — you will need to contact your carrier's customer service. They can verify your identity and either reset your password or send you a temporary one by text message.

Troubleshooting when voicemail will not load

If your voicemail messages are not showing up in the Phone app, first check that you have a working data or Wi-Fi connection. Voicemail requires internet to read message lists and play audio. Open a web browser and load any website to confirm you are connected.

Next, restart the Phone app. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or press the back button, depending on your Samsung model) to close all open apps, then tap the Phone app again to reopen it. Wait 10 seconds and tap the Voicemail tab.

If messages still do not appear, restart your entire phone. Press and hold the power button until a menu appears, tap Restart, and wait for the phone to turn back on. Once it has fully booted, open the Phone app and check voicemail again. If the problem persists, contact your carrier — they may need to re-set up voicemail on your account.

Using voicemail on older Samsung models

Older Samsung phones (Galaxy S10 and earlier) may have a different voicemail setup. Instead of a Voicemail tab in the Phone app, you might see a Voicemail button on the main dialer screen, or you may need to dial your voicemail number manually.

To find your voicemail number on an older phone, open the Phone app, tap Menu (three dots in the top right), and select Settings. Look for Voicemail or Call Settings. Your voicemail number should be listed there. Tap and hold the number to save it as a contact, then you can tap it anytime to call voicemail.

If you have recently upgraded to a newer Samsung phone, your voicemail messages from your old phone will not transfer automatically. Your carrier stores voicemail on their servers, so your messages are still there — you just need to log in with your password on the new phone to hear them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I not see a Voicemail tab in my Phone app?

Your carrier may not have activated voicemail on your account yet, or your phone may need a software update. Go to Settings > About Phone > Software Update and install any updates. If the tab still does not appear after restarting, contact your carrier to confirm voicemail is active on your line.

Can I listen to voicemail without using my password?

If you are using the Voicemail tab in the Phone app, you do not need to enter a password — the app logs you in automatically. If you dial your voicemail number manually (*86 or *87), you will be asked for your password the first time you call from a new phone or after a factory reset.

What should I do if I forgot my voicemail password?

You cannot reset it through your phone. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your bill or on their website), verify your account information, and ask them to reset your password or send you a temporary one by text.

Can I save voicemail messages permanently?

The Voicemail tab in the Phone app lets you save individual messages, but they are still stored on your carrier's servers, not on your phone. If you want to keep a message forever, use your phone's voice recorder app to record it while it plays, or ask your carrier if they offer message archiving through their app.

Do I need to pay extra for voicemail?

Voicemail is usually included in your carrier plan at no extra cost. Voicemail transcription (reading messages as text) is also free on most carriers. If you are unsure whether voicemail is active on your account, contact your carrier — they can confirm it in seconds.