Set up your voicemail on iPhone (2024)

In the Phone app , Visual Voicemail and Live Voicemail show a list of your messages. You can choose which ones to play and delete without listening to all of them. A badge on the Voicemail icon indicates the number of unheard messages.

Voicemail transcription (beta) shows your messages transcribed into text. Transcription is limited to voicemails in English received on your iPhone with iOS10 or later, and transcription depends on the quality of the recording. To view a transcribed voicemail, tap Voicemail in the Phone app.

Note: Voicemail and Visual Voicemail are available from select carriers in select countries or regions.

Set up voicemail

The first time you tap Voicemail, you’re asked to create a voicemail password and record your voicemail greeting.

Tap Voicemail, then tap Set Up Now.
Create a voicemail password.
Choose a greeting—Default or Custom; if you choose Custom, you can record a new greeting.

Turn on Live Voicemail

Live Voicemail lets you automatically see a real-time transcription as someone is leaving you a message. You can even pick up the call as they’re leaving their voicemail.

To turn on Live Voicemail, do the following:

Go to Settings > Phone> Live Voicemail.
Tap to turn on Live Voicemail.
When Live Voicemail is on, your iPhone answers an incoming call and displays the caller’s voicemail. Data rates may apply. The caller won’t be able to hear you and you won’t be able to hear them unless you choose to answer the call.
If your iPhone is turned off or is out of your carrier network’s range, the call is sent to carrier voicemail, if available.
If you have Silence Unknown Callers turned on, unknown numbers go directly to Live Voicemail without ringing you first. Calls identified as spam by your carrier don’t go through Live Voicemail and are instead instantly declined.

Note: Live Voicemail is available only in English in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Puerto Rico.

Store Voicemail in iCloud

You can store and sync your Live Voicemail and Carrier Voicemail in iCloud.

Go to Settings > [your name]> iCloud.
Tap Show All under Apps Using iCloud, then turn on FaceTime.

FAQs

What should I say in my voicemail setup? ›

Record your greeting: Use a quiet space and a clear, professional tone. State your name, your company's name (if applicable), the reason for the missed call (e.g., “currently busy” or “outside of business hours”), and a request for the caller to leave their name, contact number, and message.

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Why can't I set up my voicemail on my iPhone? ›

If voicemail is not working on your iPhone, try enabling and reenabling the voicemail feature. Check for updates and/or restart your phone. If minor fixes like these don't work, it may be a deeper technical issue requiring investigation from your phone carrier or Apple.

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How do I bypass the voicemail greeting on my iPhone? ›

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.

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