How to Clear Voicemail Notifications on a Samsung Watch: A Definitive Guide

So, you’ve got that persistent little voicemail icon glaring at you from your Samsung Watch, mocking your attempts to ignore it. You’ve listened to the message (or maybe not!), but the notification just won’t disappear. Fear not, smartwatch warriors! Getting rid of that pesky voicemail notification is usually a simple process, and this guide will walk you through every possible scenario.

The Direct Approach: Clearing the Notification

The most straightforward method involves directly interacting with the notification on your watch. Here’s how it’s typically done:

1. Wake up your watch: Activate your Samsung Watch by raising your wrist or pressing the power button.
2. Access your notifications: Swipe down from the top of the watch face. This action reveals your notification panel.
3. Locate the voicemail notification: Scroll through your notifications until you find the one indicating a new voicemail. It often displays an icon resembling a cassette tape or a phone handset.
4. Interact with the notification: There are a few possibilities here.
   • Dismiss: Some notifications have a clear “Dismiss” or “Clear” button directly on them. Tapping this should eliminate the notification.
   • Open: If there’s an “Open” or “View” option, tapping it might launch a related app on your phone (like the Phone app). After the app loads, and you’ve potentially dealt with the voicemail there, the notification on your watch should clear automatically (usually after a few moments’ delay).
   • Swipe: Some watches allow you to swipe the notification to the left or right to dismiss it. Experiment with both directions.

If this works, congratulations! Your watch face is now free from the tyranny of the voicemail notification. But what if it doesn’t work? Let’s dive into some troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshooting Persistent Voicemail Notifications

Sometimes, the simple approach fails. This could be due to various factors, including glitches in the connection between your watch and phone, software bugs, or even the way your carrier handles voicemail notifications. Don’t worry, we’ll cover the most common solutions.

Confirming Voicemail Status on Your Phone

The most common culprit behind a stuck voicemail notification is that your phone still thinks you have a new voicemail, even if you’ve already listened to it.

1. Check your phone’s voicemail: Dial your voicemail access number (usually *86 or a similar code, provided by your mobile carrier). Listen to any new messages. Even if there *aren’t* any new messages, sometimes just accessing the voicemail system prompts your phone (and subsequently, your watch) to clear the notification.
2. Delete old voicemails: Over time, a large number of stored voicemails can sometimes interfere with the notification system. Delete any old messages that you no longer need.
3. Visual Voicemail App: If your carrier uses a visual voicemail app, open it and ensure that all messages are marked as “read” or “listened to”. Sometimes, even after listening to a voicemail through the traditional phone dialer, the visual voicemail app may not update its status.

Restarting Your Devices

A simple restart can often resolve software glitches.

1. Restart your Samsung Watch: Press and hold the power button on your watch until the “Power off” option appears. Tap “Power off”. Once the watch is completely off, press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.
2. Restart your Phone: Power off your smartphone and then power it back on.

After both devices have restarted, check if the voicemail notification has disappeared.

Clearing Cache and Data for Related Apps

Sometimes, corrupted cache or data within the Phone or Galaxy Wearable app can cause notification issues.

1. Clear Cache and Data for the Phone App (on your phone):
   • Go to your phone’s Settings.
   • Tap Apps (or Applications).
   • Find and tap the Phone app.
   • Tap Storage.
   • Tap Clear Cache and then Clear Data (note that clearing data might reset some of your phone app settings).
2. Clear Cache and Data for the Galaxy Wearable App (on your phone):
   • Go to your phone’s Settings.
   • Tap Apps (or Applications).
   • Find and tap the Galaxy Wearable app.
   • Tap Storage.
   • Tap Clear Cache and then Clear Data (you might need to re-pair your watch after clearing data).

Resetting Your Samsung Watch (Last Resort)

If all else fails, you can try resetting your Samsung Watch to its factory settings. Be warned: This will erase all data on your watch, so back up any important information first!

1. Reset from the Watch:
   • On your watch, go to Settings.
   • Tap General.
   • Tap Reset.
   • Confirm the reset.
2. Reset from the Galaxy Wearable App (on your phone):
   • Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
   • Tap Watch settings.
   • Tap General.
   • Tap Reset.
   • Confirm the reset.

After the reset, you’ll need to re-pair your watch with your phone and set it up again. Hopefully, this will resolve the persistent voicemail notification issue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about clearing voicemail notifications on a Samsung Watch:

1. Why is the voicemail notification still showing even after I listened to the message?

This can happen due to synchronization issues between your phone and watch, a glitch in the notification system, or the voicemail app not properly updating its status. Follow the troubleshooting steps above for the best chance of resolving the issue.

2. Does the brand of my Android phone affect how voicemail notifications work with my Samsung Watch?

While the underlying Android OS is similar across brands, some manufacturers customize their phone and notification systems. This can, in rare cases, influence how voicemail notifications behave with your Samsung Watch. However, the troubleshooting steps outlined above should work for most Android phones.

3. Can I disable voicemail notifications completely on my Samsung Watch?

Yes, you can disable voicemail notifications, but this means you won’t be alerted to new voicemails on your watch. To do this:

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Tap App notifications.
4. Find the Phone app and toggle the switch to the off position.

4. My carrier uses Visual Voicemail. Do I need to check that app specifically?

Yes! Visual Voicemail apps often have their own independent record of voicemail status. Make sure to open your Visual Voicemail app and mark any messages as “read” or “listened to,” even if you already heard them through the traditional phone dialer.

5. Is there a delay between listening to a voicemail on my phone and the notification clearing on my watch?

Yes, there’s often a slight delay. Give it a few minutes. If the notification persists after 5-10 minutes, then it’s likely a more persistent issue requiring troubleshooting.

6. I have multiple Samsung watches paired with my phone. Will clearing the notification on one clear it on all?

Generally, no. Each watch handles its notifications independently. You’ll likely need to clear the notification on each device separately.

7. Could a weak Bluetooth connection between my phone and watch cause this issue?

Yes, a weak or intermittent Bluetooth connection can definitely disrupt communication between the devices and lead to notification glitches. Ensure your phone and watch are within a reasonable range of each other.

8. Will updating my Samsung Watch software help?

Absolutely! Software updates often include bug fixes and improvements to notification handling. Make sure your watch is running the latest software version through the Galaxy Wearable app.

9. What if I’m using a third-party voicemail app?

If you’re using a third-party voicemail app, the notification behavior might differ slightly. Check the app’s settings for any options related to notification synchronization or clearing notifications.

10. Does the type of Samsung Watch I have matter? (e.g., Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, etc.)

While the core principles remain the same, the exact menu layouts and options might vary slightly depending on your specific Samsung Watch model and software version.

11. I cleared the notification, but it keeps coming back! What gives?

This indicates that your phone is still receiving a signal from your carrier that there is a new voicemail. The problem lies with your carrier’s voicemail system, not your watch. Contact your mobile carrier’s customer support to investigate. They may need to reset your voicemail box on their end.

12. Can I use Bixby or Google Assistant to clear the voicemail notification?

Unfortunately, neither Bixby nor Google Assistant on Samsung Watches currently support directly clearing voicemail notifications. You’ll need to use the manual methods described above.