How to Clear Verizon Voicemail: The Ultimate Guide

So, your Verizon voicemail is overflowing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! It’s a common digital dilemma. This comprehensive guide will show you precisely how to reclaim your inbox and keep it sparkling clean.

The process for clearing your Verizon voicemail depends on the type of phone you have (landline or mobile) and whether you’re using the basic voicemail service or the Visual Voicemail feature. Let’s break it down:

Clearing Basic Verizon Voicemail (Landline or Feature Phone):

1. Dial *86 or your 10-digit Verizon phone number.
2. Enter your voicemail password when prompted. If you haven’t set one up, you may be guided to do so.
3. Navigate the Menu: Listen to the menu options. You’re usually looking for an option that sounds like “Review Messages,” “Listen to Messages,” or something similar.
4. Listen to Each Message: As you listen to each message, there will be options to delete it. This is usually indicated by pressing a specific number, often “7” or “3.” Listen carefully to the prompts as they can vary slightly.
5. Confirm Deletion: The system may ask you to confirm the deletion. Follow the prompts to finalize the process.
6. Repeat for All Messages: Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each message you want to delete.
7. Exit Voicemail: Once you’ve deleted all desired messages, follow the prompts to exit the voicemail system.

Clearing Visual Voicemail (Smartphone):

1. Open the Visual Voicemail App: This app is usually pre-installed on Verizon smartphones. If not, you can download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Access Your Inbox: The app displays a list of your voicemails, similar to an email inbox.
3. Select the Message(s) You Want to Delete: Tap on the message(s) you wish to remove.
4. Tap the Delete Icon: Look for a trash can icon or a “Delete” button. Tap it to delete the selected message(s).
5. Confirm Deletion (If Prompted): Some apps may require you to confirm the deletion.
6. Empty the Deleted Items/Trash Folder (Optional but Recommended): Deleted messages often go into a “Deleted Items” or “Trash” folder. To permanently remove them and free up space, navigate to this folder and empty it.

It’s important to note that with Visual Voicemail, deleted messages are typically moved to a “Deleted Items” or “Trash” folder, and aren’t permanently deleted until you empty that folder. This gives you a chance to recover accidentally deleted messages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Verizon Voicemail

H2 How do I reset my Verizon voicemail password?

To reset your Verizon voicemail password from your phone:

1. Dial *611 to call Verizon customer service.
2. Follow the prompts to speak to a representative.
3. Verify your account information when requested.
4. Ask the representative to reset your voicemail password.

To reset your password online:

1. Log in to your Verizon account on the Verizon website or My Verizon app.
2. Go to the “Account” or “My Plan” section.
3. Find the voicemail settings.
4. Look for an option to “Reset Voicemail Password” or similar wording.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

H2 How do I know if I have Visual Voicemail?

If you have a smartphone (iPhone or Android) from Verizon, it likely comes with Visual Voicemail pre-installed. Look for an app icon labeled “Visual Voicemail” or similar. Also, if you can see a list of your voicemails with the sender information and duration, rather than having to dial in and listen to them one by one, you likely have Visual Voicemail. Feature phones and basic landlines do not have visual voicemail.

H2 What happens to deleted voicemails?

With basic voicemail, deleted messages are usually gone permanently unless you have a premium voicemail service that offers message archiving. With Visual Voicemail, deleted messages are typically moved to a “Deleted Items” or “Trash” folder. They remain there until you manually empty the folder, giving you a chance to recover accidentally deleted messages.

H2 How do I forward a voicemail message?

Forwarding Voicemail with Basic Voicemail: This feature isn’t standard with basic Verizon voicemail. Some premium services may offer it, but it’s not common.

Forwarding Voicemail with Visual Voicemail:

1. Open the Visual Voicemail app.
2. Select the message you want to forward.
3. Look for a “Forward” or “Share” option.
4. Choose how you want to forward the message (e.g., email, text message).
5. Enter the recipient’s information and send.

H2 How do I change my voicemail greeting?

Changing Your Voicemail Greeting with Basic Voicemail:

1. Dial *86 or your 10-digit Verizon phone number.
2. Enter your voicemail password.
3. Navigate the menu to the “Greetings” or “Personal Options” section.
4. Choose the option to record a new greeting (either a standard greeting or a personal one).
5. Follow the prompts to record your new greeting.
6. Save the greeting and exit the system.

Changing Your Voicemail Greeting with Visual Voicemail:

1. Open the Visual Voicemail app.
2. Go to the “Settings” or “Menu” section.
3. Look for “Greeting” or “Voicemail Greeting” options.
4. Choose to record a new greeting.
5. Follow the app’s instructions to record and save your new greeting.

H2 How do I access my voicemail from another phone?

1. Dial your 10-digit Verizon phone number.
2. When your voicemail picks up, press the * key.
3. Enter your voicemail password.
4. You should now be able to access your voicemail messages.

H2 How do I disable voicemail on my Verizon phone?

Verizon does not typically allow you to completely disable voicemail. However, you can change the number of rings before voicemail picks up to a high number, effectively making it less likely that callers will leave a message. Contact Verizon customer support for details. Some older features like “Busy Transfer” could be added in order to have a busy signal returned to the caller instead of reaching voicemail.

H2 I keep getting a “voicemail full” message, even after deleting messages. What can I do?

1. Empty the Deleted Items/Trash Folder: As mentioned earlier, deleted messages often reside in a separate folder. Emptying this folder is crucial for permanently freeing up space.
2. Check for Saved Messages: Make sure you haven’t accidentally saved any messages. Saved messages remain in your inbox and count towards your storage limit.
3. Contact Verizon Support: If you’ve done the above and still have issues, there might be a problem with your account or voicemail system. Contact Verizon customer support for assistance.
4. Consider a Higher Storage Plan: If you consistently receive a high volume of voicemails, consider upgrading to a voicemail plan with more storage.

H2 Is there a way to transcribe my voicemails?

Yes, many Visual Voicemail apps offer a transcription feature. This feature converts your voicemail messages into text, allowing you to read them instead of listening. Check your Visual Voicemail app settings to see if transcription is available. Some third-party apps can also transcribe voicemails.

H2 Can I block certain numbers from leaving voicemails?

Unfortunately, Verizon does not offer a direct feature to block specific numbers from leaving voicemails. A workaround is to block the number entirely. However, they won’t be able to call you, either.

H2 How much does Verizon voicemail cost?

The cost of Verizon voicemail depends on your specific plan. Basic voicemail is often included in standard plans. However, Visual Voicemail or enhanced voicemail features might come with an additional monthly charge. Check your Verizon account details or contact customer support for accurate pricing information.

H2 My Visual Voicemail app isn’t working. What should I do?

1. Restart Your Phone: This is the first and often most effective troubleshooting step.
2. Check Your Data Connection: Visual Voicemail requires a data connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) to function.
3. Update the App: Ensure you have the latest version of the Visual Voicemail app installed.
4. Clear the App Cache: Go to your phone’s settings, find the Visual Voicemail app, and clear its cache.
5. Uninstall and Reinstall the App: If all else fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
6. Contact Verizon Support: If the problem persists, contact Verizon customer support for further assistance.

Mastering your Verizon voicemail doesn’t have to be a chore. By understanding the differences between basic and visual voicemail and following these steps, you can keep your inbox organized and never miss an important message again. Remember, regular maintenance is key!