Basic Voice Mail

Description

Voice Mail takes a caller's message when you can't answer the phone. You will receive a message-waiting indicator to let you know that a message has been left for you. Basic Voice Mail includes:

  • 20 messages
  • 3 minute maximum per message
  • 21-day retention

How to Get It

Voice Mail is an included feature that is typically added to your account when you first activate service. If you wish to confirm you have this feature, sign in to My Verizon and select My Plan and then select Add/change features.

How to Use It

To access your voice mailbox:

  1. Press *VM (*86) and SEND.
  2. Follow the prompts to enter your password and retrieve your messages.

    Note: If you hear your own system greeting when you dial *VM (*86), press # to interrupt it and follow the prompts to enter your password.
To access your voice mailbox (while roaming off-network or from any phone):
  1. Dial your mobile number.
  2. Press # to interrupt the greeting and follow the prompts to enter your password and retrieve messages.
While listening to a message, press:

 1 = Rewind   6 = Faster 
 1 - 1 =  Rewind to beginning of message  7 = Delete Message*
 2 = Pause   9 = Save Message* 
 3 = Fast Forward   * = Cancel/Exit 
 3- 3 = Fast Forward to end of message   0 = Help 
 4 = Slower   # = Finish/Skip
 5 = Envelope Info (date/time message was sent)   

After listening to a message, press:

 6 = Forward 
 7 = Delete 
 8 = Reply** 
 9 = Save 
 0 = Help 

More Voice Mail Instructions

To access your Voice Mail without entering your password please refer to these devices-specific steps for reformatting your device’s Voice Mail number.

Top Questions

Is there a way to access my Voice Mail messages without having to enter my password each time?

Yes, by reformatting the Voice Mail number on your device to automatically include two pauses and your password. Once you’ve made this change, you won’t have to enter your password in order to listen to your Voice Mail messages.

Refer to these device-specific steps for reformatting your device’s Voice Mail number.

How do I access my Voice Mail to retrieve messages?

To access your Voice Mail, press "*VM" (*86), then "SEND." Follow the prompts to enter your password and retrieve your messages. If you press "*VM" (*86) and hear your own or a system greeting, press the # key to interrupt the greeting and follow the prompts to enter your password and retrieve your messages.

Prepay customers: To access your Voice Mail, press "*VM" (*86), then "SEND." Follow the prompts to enter your password and retrieve your messages. Airtime usage applies for Voice Mail setup and retrieval in most areas. If you press "*VM" (*86) and hear your own or a system greeting, press the # key to interrupt the greeting and follow the prompts to enter your password and retrieve your messages.

Learn how to program and use your Voice Mail

Note: Airtime and other charges will be incurred when using Voice Mail from your wireless phone. Mobile to Mobile Calling minutes do not apply to Voice Mail retrievals; you will be charged to maintain your connection to Voice Mail. Verizon Wireless is not liable for missed messages, or deletions of messages from your Voice mailbox, even if you have saved them.

Why isn't my Voice Mail message indicator working?

Your message indicator will not work if you are outside of the Verizon Wireless all-digital (1x) network, or if your message indicator is turned off. To verify that your Voice Mail message indicator is On:

  1. Access your Voice Mail.
  2. From the Main Menu, Press option "4" for Personal Options.
  3. Press "1" for Message Waiting Indicator On/Off.

If I forget my Voice Mail password, how can I get it reset?

  • There are several ways to reset your Voice Mail password:
    1. If you are already registered for My Verizon, Sign In and select "Home." Under I Want To…, select "More Actions."  Below Device, choose "Change Voice Mail Password." From there, you will be able to select a new Voice Mail password or reset your existing one.

      If you are a Verizon Wireless customer and have not previously registered for My Verizon, please Register. After you have completed the requested information, you will be able to perform your Voice Mail password selection or reset online.
    2. From your wireless handset: press "*611," then "SEND" (airtime-free) or call (800) 922-0204 (toll free) from any phone to reach the easy-to-use automated customer service menu. Select option "2" to reset your Voice Mail password, and then press "1" when prompted for the password reset menu. You will be asked to enter your 5-digit billing zip code. Follow the prompts for security verification and resetting the password.
  • Prepay customers Voice Mail reset:
      From your wireless handset, press "
*611
      ," then "
SEND
    " (airtime free) to reach one of our service centers, or call (866) 837-3387 from any phone to reach Prepay Customer Service.

Learn how to program and use your voice mail

Note:
Your Verizon Wireless Voice Mailbox is not password protected until you create a password by following the steps listed above.

What is the difference between Basic, Visual, and Premium Voice Mail?

To compare Voice Mail services, please see the Voice Mail Comparisons page.

How do I sign up for Visual Voice Mail?

There are 3 ways to sign up: 

  • Add the feature through My Verizon by selecting "My Plan" and then "Add/change features."
  • Go to the "Messaging" menu, select "Visual Voicemail," and follow the prompts to subscribe.
  • Call Customer Service at (800) 922-0204 or *611 from your mobile device. 
Once you have added the feature, your voice mailbox will automatically be converted to the new feature set.


All FAQs

Important Information
Fax & Personal Operators not available in all areas. Airtime applies to message retrievals from your wireless phone. Mobile to Mobile Calling does not apply to Voice Mail set-up or message retrievals. Voice Mailboxes not initialized within 60 days (45 days in some markets) of feature activation will be canceled. Your Verizon Wireless Voice Mailbox is not password protected until you initialize it by following the tutorial prompts to select a password and record a voice signature and personalized greeting. Verizon Wireless is not liable for missed Voice Mail messages or deletions of messages from your Voice Mailbox, even if you've saved them.

*Not available in all areas.

**Forward/Reply only works with other Verizon Wireless Voice Mail subscribers in your own area.