How to Set Up Android Voicemail

New Android phone or just never set up voicemail? Here's the full setup for any Android: Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others. Plus what to do when something goes wrong.

Step-by-step: Set up voicemail

1. Open the Phone app on your Android
2. Tap the dial pad icon if it's not already showing
3. Press and hold the 1 key (this dials your carrier's voicemail)
4. The voicemail system answers. You'll hear a prompt
5. Set a password (usually 4 to 7 digits). Write this down somewhere safe
6. Record your name when prompted
7. Record a greeting, or choose the standard one
8. Done. Now anyone who calls will hear your greeting if you don't answer

Set up visual voicemail (Samsung, Pixel)

Visual voicemail shows your messages as a list, like text messages, so you can see who called without dialing in. Most carriers support it.

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the three-dot menu > Settings
3. Tap Voicemail
4. Toggle on Visual voicemail (Samsung) or follow setup prompts (Pixel)
5. Some carriers require you to download their voicemail app (Verizon Cloud, T-Mobile Visual Voicemail)

Change your voicemail greeting later

1. Open Phone app
2. Hold the 1 key
3. Enter your voicemail password
4. Listen for the menu (varies by carrier). Usually press 4 for "Personal Options" or 0 for "Mailbox Settings"
5. Choose "Record greeting" or "Change greeting"
6. Record. Press # when done
7. Save

Forgot your voicemail password?

You'll need to contact your carrier to reset it. Here's how:

• Verizon: Call 611 from your phone, or log into My Verizon and reset
• T-Mobile: Call 611, or use the T-Mobile app
• AT&T: Dial *611, or use myAT&T app
• US Mobile / Mint: Use the app or contact support

"Voicemail box is full" error

You need to delete old voicemails. Dial 1, enter password, and listen through your messages. Press 7 to delete each one (varies by carrier).

If you have Visual Voicemail, just open the Phone app, tap Voicemail tab, swipe left on messages to delete.

Voicemail not working at all?

If pressing 1 doesn't reach voicemail, or callers say it just rings forever:

• Voicemail might not be activated on your line. Call your carrier (dial 611) and ask them to activate it
• Check your phone's voicemail number: Phone app > Menu > Settings > Voicemail > Voicemail number. If it's wrong or blank, your carrier can give you the correct one
• If you ported your number recently, voicemail sometimes needs to be re-set up

Tip: Set up call forwarding to voicemail faster

If your phone rings too long before going to voicemail (the default is usually 30 seconds), most carriers let you change this. Verizon: dial **61*<voicemail number>**XX# where XX is the ring time in seconds. T-Mobile users can do it via the app.