How to recover old voicemails？

​In an age dominated by text messages, social media apps, and video calls, the humble voicemail may seem like a relic of the past. But to many, voicemails hold sentimental value precious recordings of loved ones’ voices, important work messages, or even legally relevant audio clips. Whether it’s your grandmother’s last words, an encouraging message from a friend, or an instruction-heavy call from your boss, losing an old voicemail can feel devastating.

Let’s explore how to bring back those meaningful audio messages and ensure they’re never lost again.

Part 1: How Voicemails Are Stored 

Before attempting recovery, it’s crucial to understand where voicemails are stored and how they work across different systems:

1.1 Carrier Storage

Most carriers store voicemails on their own servers.

Messages are typically auto-deleted after 7 to 30 days, unless saved.

If marked “saved,” messages may persist longer but are still subject to deletion.

1.2 Visual Voicemail (iPhone & Android)

Visual voicemail stores messages locally on your device.

Messages may also be backed up to iCloud (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android).

Deleted messages may linger in a “Deleted” folder for a while before permanent deletion.

1.3 Voicemail Apps

Third-party voicemail apps like Google Voice, YouMail, or carrier-specific apps often archive messages in the cloud.

These apps usually allow long-term storage with the option to export.

1.4 Backups

iPhones: iCloud and iTunes backups may contain voicemail data.

Android: Google Drive backups may include some voicemail metadata.

Voicemail audio files can sometimes be saved manually as .amr or .mp3 files.

Part 2: Recovering Voicemails on iPhone

2.1 Check the Deleted Voicemails Folder

Open the Phone app.

Tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom right.

Scroll down and tap Deleted Messages (if available).

Select the voicemail you want to recover.

Tap Undelete to restore it.

⚠️ Note: Deleted messages remain for up to 30 days.

2.2 Restore from iCloud Backup

If the voicemail is no longer in the deleted folder:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Follow the setup prompts and choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

Select a backup date before the voicemail was deleted.

⚠️ Warning: This erases your current device data.

2.3 Restore from iTunes Backup

Connect your iPhone to a computer.

Open Finder (macOS Catalina+) or iTunes (older macOS/Windows).

Click on your device name and choose Restore Backup.

Select the appropriate backup.

2.4 Ask Your Carrier

Some carriers keep copies of saved voicemails even if deleted from the phone.

Call your carrier’s support line.

Ask if your account has voicemail backup or a retrievable copy.

Part 3: Recovering Voicemails on Android

3.1 Check Voicemail App or Dialer

Open your Phone app.

Tap the Voicemail tab or icon.

Check for Deleted or Trash folders.

Restore any available messages.

📌 Some Android phones (like Samsung) show voicemails under the call log or notification tray.

3.2 Use a File Explorer App

Visual voicemail is sometimes saved in internal storage:

Use a file manager app (like Files by Google).

Navigate to:

kotlin

复制编辑

/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/voicemail

Look for audio files (.amr, .mp3).

Copy and save the files to another folder.

❗ Root access may be required on some Android devices.

3.3 Restore from Google Backup

Go to Settings > Google > Backup.

Confirm if your device was backed up recently.

Factory reset the phone (Settings > System > Reset options).

During setup, choose to restore from your Google account.

3.4 Third-Party Voicemail Apps

If you used apps like Google Voice:

Open the app.

Tap the Menu > Voicemail.

Look under Archived or Trash.

Restore or re-download messages.

3.5 Contact Carrier Support

Ask your carrier for server-side backups:

T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T may retain voicemail copies for 14–30 days.

Provide your account number and message details (date/time).

Part 4: Carrier-Based Recovery Tips

Each carrier has slightly different voicemail storage policies:

4.1 Verizon

Dial *86 or use the Verizon Voicemail app.

Messages auto-delete after 7 or 14 days (depending on type).

Call support at 1-800-922-0204 to request recovery.

4.2 AT&T

Saved voicemails last up to 30 days.

Use the AT&T Voicemail Viewer or Visual Voicemail app.

Call 1-800-331-0500 for recovery help.

4.3 T-Mobile

Basic voicemail messages last 14 days (unless saved).

Call #123# or use the Visual Voicemail app.

Customer care: 1-877-746-0909.

4.4 Sprint (Now T-Mobile)

Visual voicemail settings can auto-backup messages.

Use the T-Mobile Visual Voicemail app to access archived data.

Part 5: Using Data Recovery Tools

If you have no backup and your messages were stored locally, try using data recovery software:

5.1 For iPhone

Tools like Dr.Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, or Tenorshare UltData may extract voicemails from old iTunes/iCloud backups.

Steps:

Download the tool to your PC/Mac.

Connect your iPhone or select a backup.

Choose Voicemail from the data types.

Preview and export the recovered audio.

5.2 For Android

Tools like DiskDigger, FonePaw, or EaseUS MobiSaver scan internal memory.

May recover .amr or .3gp voicemail files.

Requires root access for best results.

⚠️ Recovery is most successful if data hasn’t been overwritten.

Part 6: Preventing Future Voicemail Loss

6.1 Save Voicemails Manually

iPhone: Tap a voicemail > Share > Save to Files, Notes, or iCloud Drive.

Android: Tap voicemail > Share or Save as file.

6.2 Enable Backups

iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

Android: Settings > Google > Backup > Turn on.

6.3 Use Voicemail Apps with Cloud Storage

Apps like Google Voice or YouMail store messages indefinitely and let you export them.

6.4 Export to Email or Cloud

Periodically save important messages:

Share via email.

Upload to Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.

Old voicemails often carry deep emotional or informational value, and losing them can feel like losing a part of your history. Fortunately, whether they were deleted accidentally, expired from your carrier’s system, or lost during a phone switch, there are multiple avenues to recover them.

Going forward, it’s smart to take a proactive approach: regularly back up your device, save voicemails manually, and consider switching to voicemail platforms that offer more flexible storage options. With a few precautions, you can ensure your most cherished audio messages stay safe for years to come.