How to Change Voicemail: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Learning how to change voicemail is an essential skill for anyone using a mobile phone. Whether you want to personalize your greeting, update outdated information, or simply sound more professional, customizing your voicemail message is quick and easy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process for all major carriers and phone types, ensuring you can update your voicemail with confidence.

Table of Contents

• Why You Should Change Your Voicemail
• Preparation Before Changing Your Voicemail
• How to Change Voicemail by Carrier
• Changing Voicemail on Android Phones
• Changing Voicemail on iPhones
• Professional Voicemail Tips
• Voicemail Troubleshooting

Why You Should Change Your Voicemail

Your voicemail greeting is often the first impression callers get when they can’t reach you. Here are compelling reasons to update it:

• Professionalism: A custom greeting sounds more professional than the default
• Current information: Update callers about your availability or alternate contact methods
• Personalization: Make your greeting reflect your personality or brand
• Security: Some default greetings may reveal your phone number unnecessarily

Preparation Before Changing Your Voicemail

Before you learn how to change voicemail, take these preparatory steps:

What You’ll Need

• Your mobile phone with service active
• Your voicemail password (if set up)
• A quiet environment to record your greeting

Writing Your Script

Prepare what you want to say in advance. A good voicemail greeting includes:

1. Your name (or business name)
2. A brief message that you’re unavailable
3. Instructions for leaving a message
4. Optional: When callers can expect a response

How to Change Voicemail by Carrier

The exact process for how to change voicemail varies slightly by carrier. Here are instructions for major providers:

AT&T Voicemail Change

1. Dial *86 from your AT&T phone
2. Press 3 for Personal Options
3. Press 1 to Record your greeting
4. Follow the prompts to record and save

Verizon Voicemail Change

1. Dial *86 from your Verizon phone
2. Enter your password if prompted
3. Press 4 for Personal Options
4. Press 1 to Record your greeting
5. Follow the voice prompts

T-Mobile Voicemail Change

1. Press and hold 1 on your dial pad
2. Enter your password if required
3. Press 3 for Greetings
4. Press 1 to Record new greeting
5. Follow the system instructions

Changing Voicemail on Android Phones

Android devices offer multiple ways to change your voicemail greeting:

Method 1: Through Phone App

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the three-dot menu icon
3. Select Settings > Voicemail
4. Choose Advanced Settings > Voicemail Greeting
5. Follow prompts to record new greeting

Method 2: Visual Voicemail

Many Android phones include visual voicemail apps:

1. Open your Visual Voicemail app
2. Tap on Settings or Greetings
3. Select “Record Greeting”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions

Changing Voicemail on iPhones

iPhone users have a streamlined process for voicemail changes:

Standard Method

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap Voicemail in the bottom right
3. Tap Greeting in the top left
4. Select Custom
5. Tap Record and speak your greeting
6. Tap Stop when finished, then Save

Alternative Method

If visual voicemail isn’t working:

1. Dial your own phone number
2. When voicemail answers, press
3. Enter your password
4. Follow voice prompts to change greeting

Professional Voicemail Tips

Make your voicemail greeting effective with these professional tips:

• Keep it concise: 15-30 seconds is ideal
• Speak clearly: Enunciate and use a moderate pace
• Update regularly: Change greetings when your availability changes
• Include essentials: Name, reason you’re unavailable, callback expectation
• Avoid humor: Unless appropriate for your personal brand

Voicemail Troubleshooting

Having issues changing your voicemail? Try these solutions:

Common Problems

• Forgotten password: Contact your carrier to reset
• Recording not saving: Check storage space on your device
• No voicemail option: Ensure voicemail service is active with your carrier

Advanced Fixes

1. Restart your phone
2. Update carrier settings
3. Reset network settings (will erase WiFi passwords)
4. Contact your carrier’s support

Conclusion

Now that you know how to change voicemail on any device or carrier, you can create a greeting that makes the right impression. Whether you need a professional message for work or a personal greeting for friends and family, taking a few minutes to customize your voicemail can significantly improve your communication. Try recording a few versions to find the one that