Voicemail is one of the most useful features on the iPhone 13, especially when you miss important calls. Whether you’re waiting for job updates, business messages, or personal notes from friends and family, knowing how to retrieve voicemail ensures you never miss essential information.
This detailed, SEO-optimized guide will walk you through how to check, play, manage, and troubleshoot voicemail on your iPhone 13—all in simple, easy-to-follow steps.
What Is Voicemail on iPhone 13?
On the iPhone 13, voicemail is handled through Visual Voicemail, a feature that lets you:
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View a list of all your voicemail messages
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Play messages in any order
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Rewind, fast forward, or delete messages
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Save important messages
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Read voicemail transcripts (if supported by your carrier)
It’s fast, organized, and far more convenient than traditional voicemail systems.
How to Retrieve Voicemail on iPhone 13
1. Open the Phone App
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Unlock your iPhone.
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Tap the Phone app (green icon with a white phone symbol).
This is where all your call-related options are stored.
2. Tap the “Voicemail” Tab
At the bottom right of the screen, you’ll see Voicemail.
Tap it to open your voicemail inbox.
If this is your first time using voicemail, you may see a setup screen — don’t worry, this guide covers that too.
3. Select Any Voicemail Message
You will now see a list of all available voicemail messages along with:
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Caller’s number or name
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Date and time received
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Length of the message
Tap any message to open playback controls.
4. Press the Play Button
Once a voicemail is selected, tap the Play button.
You can also:
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Use the speaker button to play it on loudspeaker
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Adjust the volume
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Pause and resume playback
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Rewind or fast forward the audio
How to Set Up Voicemail on iPhone 13 (If Not Already Set Up)
If tapping Voicemail shows a “Set Up Now” screen, follow these steps:
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Tap Set Up Now
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Create a voicemail password
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Choose Default greeting or record a Custom greeting
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Tap Save
Your voicemail inbox is now ready to use.
How to Listen to Deleted Voicemails
iPhone 13 temporarily keeps deleted messages in a folder.
To recover:
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Open Phone > Voicemail
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Scroll down and tap Deleted Messages
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Select the message you want
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Tap Undelete
Your voicemail returns to the main inbox.
How to Read Voicemail Transcription (If Available)
Some carriers support voicemail-to-text transcription.
To use it:
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Open a voicemail
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Scroll slightly
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If supported, you will see a text version of the message
This is extremely helpful in noisy environments or if you prefer reading over listening.
How to Save a Voicemail Permanently
Important messages can be saved or shared.
To save a voicemail:
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Open Phone > Voicemail
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Select the voicemail
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Tap the Share icon
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Choose one of the following:
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Save to Files
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Save to Voice Memos
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AirDrop
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Send via WhatsApp, Messages, or Email
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Your voicemail is now backed up outside the Phone app.
How to Call Back from a Voicemail
iPhone 13 makes returning calls easy.
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Open a voicemail
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Tap the Call Back option below the message
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Your phone will instantly dial the caller’s number
Great for quick responses.
Troubleshooting: Voicemail Not Working on iPhone 13
If voicemail doesn’t appear or messages don’t load, try these fixes:
✅ 1. Restart Your iPhone
A simple reboot often solves network conflicts.
✅ 2. Check Cellular Network
Voicemail requires an active mobile network.
Toggle Airplane Mode ON, then OFF.
✅ 3. Update Carrier Settings
Go to:
Settings > General > About
If an update is available, you’ll see a prompt.
✅ 4. Reset Network Settings
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
(This won’t delete your data.)
✅ 5. Contact Your Carrier
Some carriers block voicemail until activated.
Ask them to enable Visual Voicemail.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why can’t I see my voicemail messages?
Your carrier may not support Visual Voicemail, or data/network issues may be interrupting service.
2. Can I retrieve old voicemails?
Yes, as long as they weren’t permanently deleted and your carrier still stores them.
3. Does voicemail require the internet?
No — it works through your mobile network.
Final Thoughts
Retrieving voicemail on the iPhone 13 is simple once you know where to look. With the built-in Visual Voicemail system, you can play, organize, save, and manage messages easily. Whether you’re checking missed calls or recovering deleted messages, this guide ensures you never lose important information again.