How to Change Voicemail on iPhone: Complete Guide for iPhone 16 and Beyond

Switching up your voicemail on any iPhone—whether you’ve just picked up the brand-new iPhone 16 or are rocking an older model—is pretty easy. By changing your greeting, you make your voicemail sound more like you, whether you want something friendly, funny, or super professional.

Why Change Your Voicemail on iPhone?

Changing your voicemail greeting on your iPhone offers several benefits:

  • Personalization: A custom greeting shows your style and gives callers a warm welcome.
  • Professionalism: A short, no-nonsense message looks good to clients, coworkers, and anyone who matters.
  • Security: A solid password keeps nosy ears away from your private voice notes.
  • Fresh Start: Whenever you switch numbers or get a new phone, a fresh greeting feels like a clean slate.
How to Change Voicemail on iPhone

Accessing voicemail settings on your iPhone

Step-by-Step: How to Change Voicemail Message on iPhone 16

Follow these simple steps to change your voicemail greeting on your iPhone:

  1. Open the Phone App
    Find and tap the bright green Phone app on your iPhone’s home screen.
  2. Access Voicemail
    Look for the Voicemail tab in the bottom right corner and give it a quick tap.
  3. Change iPhone Greeting Voicemail
    Tap Greeting in the top left of the screen, if that option is there. Pick Custom to make a personal message, or go with Default if you want the regular one.
  4. Tap Record to Custom Voicemail in iPhone
    Hit Record and start talking so your new prompt gets saved. Say your name clearly and add any notes you think callers should hear first.
  5. Save Your Greeting
    Tap Stop when you’re done, then press Save to keep what you just recorded.
  6. How to Change Your Voicemail Password
    Head into Settings > Phone > Change Voicemail Password to set a new code for extra security.
How to Change Voicemail on iPhone

Choosing between Default and Custom greeting options

How to Change Answer Phone Message in iPhone

Just follow the same steps above to also change the answer-phone message for when you really can’t pick up.

On some networks, if the Voicemail tab won’t let you, dial *86 and listen to the voice prompts to guide you (this works on Verizon).

How to Record Voicemail in iPhone

When you tap Record in the Greeting area, you can leave a message that’s up to 2 minutes long.

For Google Voice users, launch the app, tap Settings, then Voicemail greeting. Hit Record a greeting, press record, and follow the on-screen hints.

How to Change Voicemail on iPhone

Recording a custom voicemail greeting

Troubleshooting: If You Can’t Change Your Voicemail

Depending on your carrier or where you live, iPhones sometimes can’t set custom greetings through the Phone app. If that happens, dial your carrier’s voicemail number, like *86 on Verizon, and change the greeting there.

Forgot your voicemail passcode? Your best bet is to call your wireless carrier and ask them to help you reset it.

Additional Tips for Customizing Your iPhone Voicemail

How to Change Voicemail on iPhone
  • Update Alert Sounds: Head to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > New Voicemail and pick a tone that stands out when a message comes in.
  • Multiple Greetings: Google Voice lets you record up to ten different greetings, so you can switch them whenever something in your life changes.
  • Professional Touch: For work, clearly say your name, the company name, and tell callers when they can expect to hear back.

Table: Easy Steps to Change Your Voicemail on iPhone

Action Where You’ll Find It How to Do It
Change voicemail greeting Phone app > Voicemail > Greeting Tap Custom, hit Record, then tap Save
Change answer phone message Same place listed above Do the same steps as for the greeting, and you’re all set
Reset voicemail password Settings > Phone > Change Password Just enter your new password, and the old one will be replaced
Record a greeting in Google Voice Google Voice app > Settings Tap Voicemail Greeting, hit Record, and press record again
Pick a new voicemail alert sound Settings > Sounds & Haptics Tap the New Voicemail tone you like, and it will update
Use your carrier to make changes Dial your carrier’s voicemail number Follow the voice prompts; some carriers use *86 to get there
How to Change Voicemail on iPhone

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my voice message on iPhone?
Open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, tap Greeting, choose Custom, hit Record, and then Save.

How can I set a custom voicemail on iPhone?
In the Greeting section, pick Custom, record your personal message, and tap Save.

Is the voicemail change process different for iPhone 16?
Nope, it’s exactly the same; just follow the steps listed above and it will work on iPhone 16 too.

How do I change my voicemail if I forgot the password?
Try going to Settings > Phone > Change Voicemail Password, or let your carrier help you if that doesn’t work.

How to Change Voicemail on iPhone

Conclusion

You can make your iPhone 16’s voicemail friendlier by changing, recording, and managing the greeting and answer message step by step. This guide has walked you through every single step—recording a fresh greeting, setting a voicemail password, and fixing the most common hiccups—so you can leave the technical stuff to us and sound great on your messages.