Ava Brooks

23 Jan 2026

How to set up voicemail on iPhone?

You can setup the voicemail from the phone app on your iPhone. Open the phone app, click the Voicemail tab and the Set Up button. Now, create the password to ensure security and set Greeting as Default or Custom.

Missing essential calls can cost you opportunities, whether it's an urgent family matter or a crucial business deal. But setting up the voice mail on an iphone help you never miss a message.

In this guide, I will explain the methods to setup voice mail in iPhone in a few minutes. Moreover, I will go through whether an eSIM in a device affects the voicemail.

4.9

Highly Rated

Based on 500,000+ customer reviews

Trusted worldwide

Over 1 million travelers across the globe have trusted us

Travel Friendly

No swaps, global connectivity ensured

With eSIM Card, you can save 100% on roaming fees

What You Need to Set Up Voicemail on iPhone?

Before setting up the voice mail, consider the following essentials.

Activate the cellular plan with voicemail service included.
iPhone needs a cellular signal to complete setup.
Ensure to have the latest iOS version.
Verify your SIM card is installed correctly.

How to Set Up Your Voicemail on iPhone?

Method 1: Visual Voicemail Setup

Here is the fastest way to set up your voicemail.

Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
Click the voice mail tab in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Now tap the Set Up Button, appear in the center of the screen.
Create a strong voicemail password.
Confirm your password by entering it again.
You can select the greeting type: Default or Custom.

Method 2: Carrier Dial-In Setup (Alternative)

If the visual voice button does not appear, you can use the prepaid or MVNO carrier.

Open the mobile phone app on your phone.
Move to the Keypad tab and press and hold the "1" key until the call initiates.
Follow the instructions from your carrier.
Create the password, record your greeting password according to the command.
Hang up when the setup process is complete.

Setting Up Voicemail on iPhone with eSIM

What is eSIM, and how does it affect Voicemail?

An eSIM card is the digital SIM integrated into the latest smartphones, including iPhone and Android. Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, you don't need to insert or remove it from the device. It works on your device via the carrier's digital platform.

If you have an eSIM-compatible iPhone, you need to consider some unique essentials. Generally, eSIM voicemail functions is same as physical SIM voicemail.

How to Set Up Voicemail with an eSIM Card on iPhone?

Whether you have a single eSIM or dual SIM with an eSIM and a physical SIM card, each line has a separate voicemail inbox. Visual voicemail availability depends on your carrier supporting the feature for each line. Some carriers don't support visual voicemail for eSIM secondary lines. So you can follow the dial-in method instead.

To set up voicemail for your eSIM or dual SIM configuration:

Ensure both lines have active voicemail service.
Set up voicemail for your Primary line first by the visual voicemail method.
To set up your Secondary (eSIM) line voicemail.
Choose your eSIM line, press and hold the "1" key to call voicemail.
Now follow the prompts to set up your second voicemail box.

When you're on a call using one line, incoming calls on your other line will automatically go to voicemail. his seamless transition is one of the many reasons why users are switching; you can see more benefits in our comparison of 5G vs 4G networks which often dictate how fast your visual voicemail clips download.

Carrier Specific Setup Differences

Carriers' voicemail setup varies. Here's what you need to know for major providers.

AT&T iPhone Voicemail

AT&T requires a longer password, from 7 to 15 digits, instead of the standard. Visual voicemail is included in most plans. Use the phone app method for setup, or dial in by pressing and holding "1".

Verizon iPhone Voicemail

Verizon requires a 4 to 7-digit password. Visual voicemail is enabled by default on postpaid plans, which makes Verizon the fastest setup process.

T-Mobile iPhone Voicemail

T-Mobile uses 4 digits of your phone number as the default password. You can change the password to ensure security. Visual voicemail is included on most T-Mobile plans.

Troubleshooting: Voicemail Not Working on iPhone?

"Set Up Now" Button Not Appearing

Here are the fixes you can try.

Contact the carrier to confirm if voicemail is included in your cellular plan.
Restart your iPhone by holding the Power and Volume Down buttons.
Check for carrier settings updates by going to Settings, then General and About.

Forgot Voicemail Password

Contact your carrier if you can’t reset the voicemail password. Each carrier has a different reset and verification process. You may need to verify your account identity with personal information before resetting.

Visual Voicemail Not Loading or Showing Messages

Here are the things you can do.

Check the cellular data connection.
Verify your carrier supports the visual voicemail feature.
Enable the Airplane Mode and then turn it off to refresh connections.
Force a carrier settings update by going to Settings, General, then About

Conclusion

Setting up the voicemail on an iPhone takes a few minutes. Whether you're using standard visual voicemail, managing dual SIM lines, configuring eSIM voicemail, or troubleshooting setup issues, this guide has covered everything you need to get your voicemail working perfectly.

Ensure to test your voicemail by calling yourself from another phone to ensure everything works correctly.

FAQs

How do I check my voicemail on iPhone?

Open the Phone app, tap the voicemail tab and select any message to listen. Visual voicemail displays a convenient list of all your messages with caller information.