Delete Voicemail Directly from the Phone App
The fastest way to delete a voicemail on Samsung is through the Phone app. Open Phone, tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom of the screen, then press and hold the voicemail you want to remove. A menu will appear with a delete option — tap it and the message is gone.
If you have multiple voicemails to clear out, you can select several at once. After pressing and holding one message, tap the checkbox next to other messages you want to delete, then tap the delete button. This works whether your voicemails are from your carrier's voicemail service or a third-party app like Google Voice.
The voicemail tab location varies slightly depending on your Samsung model and Android version. On newer phones, swipe left or right on the Phone app tabs to find Voicemail. On older models, you may need to tap the menu icon (three dots) and look for Voicemail or Call Settings.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Phone app, find the Voicemail tab, press and hold the message you want to delete, then tap delete from the menu that appears.
- You can select and delete multiple voicemails at once by tapping checkboxes next to each message before hitting delete.
- Deleting from your phone does not always delete the voicemail from your carrier's server, so check your carrier's voicemail portal if you need permanent removal.
- Third-party voicemail apps like Google Voice have their own delete process within the app itself, separate from the Phone app.
- Some carriers let you delete voicemails by calling your voicemail box directly and using the keypad menu.
Delete Voicemail Through Your Carrier's Voicemail Portal
Deleting a voicemail from your phone does not always remove it from your carrier's server. If you want the message gone permanently, log into your carrier's voicemail portal online or through their app. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and other carriers each have their own portal where you can listen to, read, and delete voicemails.
To access your carrier's portal, visit their website or open their official app, then sign in with your phone number and account password. Look for a section called Voicemail, Messages, or Call Management. Once you find your voicemail list, select the message and choose delete. The message will be removed from the carrier's system and you will not be able to recover it.
This method is useful if you are concerned about storage or privacy, since voicemails stored on the carrier's server can sometimes be accessed by customer service representatives. Deleting through the portal ensures the message is gone from their system as well as your phone.
Delete Voicemail by Calling Your Voicemail Box
You can also delete voicemails without opening any app by calling your voicemail box directly. Press and hold the 1 key on your Samsung's keypad to call voicemail, or dial your own phone number if that does not work. Enter your voicemail password when prompted.
Once you are in your voicemail box, listen to the message you want to delete. When the message is playing or after it finishes, press 7 on the keypad — this is the standard code to delete a voicemail on most carriers. The system will confirm the deletion and move to the next message. If 7 does not work, try pressing 3 or check your carrier's voicemail menu for the correct code.
This method is helpful if you are away from your phone or prefer not to use the touchscreen. It also deletes the voicemail from the carrier's server when ready, so you do not have to worry about it being stored elsewhere.
Clear Voicemail from Google Voice or Third-Party Apps
If you use Google Voice or another voicemail app instead of your carrier's service, the delete process happens inside that app, not in the Phone app. Open Google Voice, tap the Messages tab, find the voicemail you want to remove, then swipe left on the message or tap the three-dot menu and select Delete.
Third-party apps store voicemails on their own servers, so deleting from the app removes the message permanently from that service. You do not need to delete it separately from your carrier or your phone's voicemail tab. If you switch apps later, old voicemails in the previous app will remain there unless you delete them before uninstalling.
Some third-party apps also let you archive voicemails instead of deleting them, which hides the message from your main list but keeps it stored. Check the app's settings or menu to see if archiving is an option if you want to keep voicemails but clear them from view.
Recover a Deleted Voicemail
Once you delete a voicemail from your phone, it is usually gone for good. However, if you deleted it from the Phone app but not from your carrier's server, you may still be able to find it in your carrier's voicemail portal. Log in and check if the message is still listed there — if it is, you can listen to it again or re-read it to your phone.
If you deleted a voicemail from your carrier's portal or through your voicemail box, recovery is not possible. Carriers do not keep a trash or recovery folder for deleted voicemails. The same is true for third-party apps like Google Voice — once deleted, the message cannot be restored.
To avoid accidental deletion, some people archive important voicemails instead of deleting them. This keeps the message safe while clearing it from your active list. Check whether your voicemail service offers an archive or save option before you delete something you might need later.
Troubleshooting: Voicemail Tab Not Showing
If you cannot find the Voicemail tab in your Phone app, it may be hidden or disabled. Tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) at the top of the Phone app and look for Settings or Voicemail Settings. From there, you can turn on the Voicemail tab or change which voicemail service your phone uses.
On some Samsung phones, the Voicemail tab only appears if you have set up voicemail with your carrier. If you have never activated voicemail, the tab may not show. Contact your carrier to set up voicemail, and the tab should appear in the Phone app within a few minutes.
If you recently switched carriers or changed your phone number, your voicemail may not be connected to your new account yet. Wait 24 hours for the system to update, then check the Phone app again. If the Voicemail tab still does not appear, restart your phone or contact your carrier's customer service for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a voicemail from my Samsung phone delete it from my carrier too?
No. Deleting from the Phone app only removes it from your device. The voicemail stays on your carrier's server unless you delete it through their portal or by calling your voicemail box. If you want it gone completely, you need to delete it in both places.
Can I delete all my voicemails at once?
On most Samsung phones, you can select multiple voicemails by tapping checkboxes next to each one, then hit delete. However, there is usually no "select all" button, so you may need to do this in batches if you have many messages. Your carrier's portal may have a faster bulk-delete option.
What happens if I delete a voicemail by mistake?
If you deleted it only from your phone, check your carrier's voicemail portal — it may still be there. If you deleted it from the carrier's system, it cannot be recovered. Some carriers keep deleted voicemails for a short time before permanently removing them, so contact customer service when ready if you need to recover something important.
Why is my voicemail tab greyed out or not working?
This usually means voicemail is not set up on your account or your carrier's system has not synced with your phone yet. Restart your phone, wait a few hours, or contact your carrier to confirm voicemail is active on your line. You may also need to update your Phone app from the Google Play Store.
Can I delete voicemail from my Samsung watch?
Most Samsung watches do not have a dedicated voicemail delete function. You can listen to voicemails on the watch if it is paired with your phone, but you will need to delete them from your phone or carrier portal. Some smartwatch apps may offer limited voicemail management, so check your watch's app store.