To change voicemail on Android, you need to know which voicemail system you use because Android has no universal voicemail greeting setting. The steps differ depending on whether you use your carrier's default voicemail, Google Voice, or Google Fi, so jump to the section that matches your service.
How to change your voicemail on Android: what you need to know
Android does not include a single, built-in voicemail greeting setting that works for every phone. Instead, the method depends entirely on how you receive voicemail. Most Android users rely on their carrier's voicemail system, which requires calling your own voicemail number or using a carrier-specific shortcode. If you use Google Voice or Google Fi, those services provide their own dedicated apps and settings for managing greetings.
Change your voicemail greeting through your carrier
For the majority of Android users, changing the voicemail greeting means navigating the carrier's voicemail menu. You typically call your voicemail number from the Phone app or dial a shortcode provided by your carrier. Once connected, the automated menu lets you record a new greeting. This is the same process used for setting up and managing voicemail on most Android phones. Apple says that if you forget the voicemail password, only the wireless carrier can manage the voicemail account for the phone number. AT&T documents a voicemail PIN change path on iPhone models it supports: Settings > Apps > Phone > Change Voicemail Password.
Change your voicemail greeting in Google Voice
If you use Google Voice, the greeting is changed entirely within the Google Voice app. Follow these verified steps:
- Open the Google Voice app.
- Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines).
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Voicemail.
- Tap Voicemail greeting.
- To record a new greeting, tap the record button, speak your message, then tap Stop.
- Tap Save and give the greeting a name.
To switch to a greeting you have already recorded, tap More (three dots) next to that greeting and choose Set as active. On Google Voice for Android, you can switch to an already recorded greeting by tapping More next to it and choosing Set as active.
Change your voicemail greeting in Google Fi
Google Fi users manage their greeting through the Google Fi app on Android 6 and newer. Here are the verified steps:
- Open the Google Fi app.
- Go to the Home tab.
- Tap Phone settings.
- Tap Voicemail.
- Tap Manage greeting.
- To record a new greeting, tap the Microphone button and speak your message. Note that recordings are limited to 40 seconds. Google Fi says a recorded greeting can be up to 40 seconds long.
- Tap Keep to save the recording, then rename it and tap Save. Google Fi says a recorded greeting can be renamed and saved with Save; an existing greeting can be activated from the down arrow menu with Set as active.
To activate an existing greeting, tap the down arrow menu next to it and select Set as active.
Accessing your voicemail messages on Android
To listen to your voicemail messages, open the Phone app and tap the voicemail tab (often represented by an envelope or tape recorder icon). Your messages will appear in a list showing the caller's number or name, date, time, and message duration. Tap a message to play it, delete it, or save it. If you have multiple mailboxes, you may need to enter your voicemail password first.
Frequently Asked Questions about changing voicemail on Android
Can I customize my voicemail greeting with my own message?
Yes. Whether you use carrier voicemail, Google Voice, or Google Fi, each system allows you to record a custom greeting using your phone's microphone. The carrier method uses the voicemail menu, while Google Voice and Google Fi provide recording options inside their respective apps.
Is it possible to change the voicemail language on Android?
Language options depend on your device and carrier. For carrier voicemail, you may find a language setting inside the voicemail menu after calling your voicemail number. Google Voice and Google Fi do not offer a separate voicemail language setting; the greeting language is whatever you speak when recording.
How can I access my voicemail on an Android device?
Open the Phone app and tap the voicemail tab or icon at the bottom of the screen. Your voicemail inbox will display all messages. If you cannot find the tab, check your Phone app's settings for a voicemail option or contact your carrier for the correct access method.
Can I set up separate voicemail greetings for different contacts on Android?
No, this is not a built-in feature on standard Android devices or in Google Voice or Google Fi. Some third-party apps from the Google Play Store may offer personalized greetings per contact, but they are not part of the core Android voicemail system.
