How to retrieve a deleted voicemail on Android

Losing a voicemail is a big deal, especially if it contains important information or has sentimental value. If you accidentally deleted a voicemail, it's possible to retrieve it through a few steps. Act quickly, though—the longer it's been since you lost the voicemail, the harder it is to get back.

Asurion Experts resolve all of your tech care needs. Whether you want to recover a forgotten Android voicemail PIN or get more life out of your gaming console, we can help. Here's how to retrieve a deleted voicemail. 

Where are voicemails stored?

On Android devices, voicemails end up on your cellular carrier's server. They're not saved directly to the device. Every carrier has its own voicemail system that's accessible via the pre-installed Android voicemail app. 

Keeping voicemails on a carrier's voicemail system means they won't take up storage space on your device. That's very helpful for users with limited storage on their Android smartphones. If you need a longer-term solution for saving voicemails, it's possible to store them locally on your device using the voicemail app. 

How long are voicemails kept?

Voicemail storage policy varies by carrier but usually lasts at least 14 days. You can listen to voicemails until they reach the server expiration date. If you don't save a voicemail before it expires, it's harder to retrieve. 

To learn how long your carrier stores voicemail, reach out to them directly. 

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4 ways to retrieve a deleted voicemail

Can you retrieve deleted voicemails? In a word, yes! There are ways to recover a message you didn't mean to remove from your Android phone. Use these tips to reclaim a lost voicemail.

Check your voicemail app's trash/deleted folder

The voicemail app for your Android smartphone automatically moves messages to the trash when they reach their expiration date or you delete them. They won't stay here forever, but you may find the message you're looking for if it's just been a short time since you deleted it.

1. Open the Voicemail app for your Android device.
2. Tap Menu > Deleted Voicemails.
3. Review the list of available messages to locate the one you want to retrieve.
4. Tap the voicemail, then tap Save. 

Saving the voicemail moves it back to the active list of voicemails on your Android device. 

Contact your carrier

Your cellular carrier may have a process for retrieving deleted voicemails. To find out, visit the carrier's website and find their customer support number. An agent can explain what options are available. In this case, time is of the essence—most carriers delete expired voicemails regularly. Waiting longer than 24 hours may mean the message is gone from their system. 

Third-party apps

There are third-party apps that claim they're able to recover deleted voicemails. You may be able to locate such an app through the Google Play™ store. 

Third-party apps aren't supported by Android or smartphone manufacturers. Their performance isn't guaranteed, and some may expose your device to security threats. If you decide to download one, carefully check its reviews and understand any permissions it obtains before installing it on your smartphone.

Check for Visual Voicemail backups

Most Android phones support Visual Voicemail. This tool automatically transcribes and saves voicemails in the voicemail app, but Visual Voicemail must be enabled in the phone's settings to work. 

To see if you have a transcribed version of your message, open the Phone app. Tap Voicemail to view a list of available messages. You can replay or transcribe any messages that appear. 

Preventing future voicemail loss

Losing an important voicemail is a tough experience. To prevent the loss of future voicemails, try implementing these best practices.

Back up voicemails regularly

Any time you receive a voicemail, decide whether you want to save it locally on your device. The few extra seconds spent storing irreplaceable messages can save you headaches later. 

People with limited storage space might transfer their saved voicemails to another device, such as a computer. To do so, simply connect your smartphone to your preferred device with a USB-C cable. Navigate through the phone's files and copy your important voicemails to a dedicated place you can access anytime. 

Use a voicemail app with trash/undo functionality

Most pre-installed Android voicemail apps include options to delete unnecessary voicemails. But they may not include an undo option, which is great to have if you mistakenly delete a message. 

Review your current voicemail app's features to see if it includes an undo option. If it doesn't, consider installing another voicemail app that does. There are numerous third-party voice mail apps that are compatible with Android, but performance varies. Some may also charge a small fee for the service.