How to Find Voicemails of a Deceased Loved One on Carrier Apps

If you're searching for your loved one's voicemails in a carrier app, you're likely working against the clock. Most carriers automatically delete voicemails after 14 to 40 days of inactivity—and that timer may have already started.

This guide walks you through exactly where to find voicemails in each major carrier's app, how to save them, and what to do if time is running short.

Act Quickly: Carrier Voicemail Deletion Timelines

Before diving into the steps, here's what you're working with:

• Verizon: Voicemails delete after 40 days (21 days for unheard messages)
• AT&T: Voicemails delete after 14-30 days depending on the plan
• T-Mobile: Voicemails delete after 21 days
• US Cellular: Voicemails delete after 14 days

If the phone line is still active and you have access to the device, start there—it's the fastest path. If the line has been canceled or you don't have the phone, skip to the section on contacting the carrier directly.

Finding Voicemails in the Verizon My Verizon App

If your loved one had Verizon service, their voicemails may be accessible through the My Verizon app or the phone's built-in Visual Voicemail feature.

On Their Phone (If You Have Access)

1. Open the Phone app on their device
2. Tap the Voicemail tab at the bottom
3. You'll see a list of all saved voicemails with dates and caller information
4. Tap any voicemail to play it
5. To save: tap the Share icon (square with arrow) and choose Save to Files, Voice Memos, or send it to yourself via email or text

Through the My Verizon App

1. Download the My Verizon app if not already installed
2. Log in with your loved one's Verizon credentials (or the primary account holder's)
3. Navigate to Account → My devices
4. Select the phone line
5. Look for Visual Voicemail or Voicemail settings

Note: The My Verizon app primarily manages account settings. For actual voicemail playback and saving, the phone's native voicemail interface or calling voicemail directly (*86) is typically more reliable.

Finding Voicemails in the AT&T Apps

AT&T offers voicemail access through their Visual Voicemail app and the myAT&T app.

Using AT&T Visual Voicemail App

1. Open the AT&T Visual Voicemail app on their phone
2. Tap Inbox to see all voicemails
3. Select the message you want to save
4. Tap the Share button and choose your preferred method (email, save to files, etc.)

Through the Phone App (iPhone)

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap Voicemail at the bottom right
3. Select the voicemail you need
4. Tap the Share icon to save or send it

Through the Phone App (Android)

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the three-dot menu → Settings → Voicemail
3. Or tap and hold the 1 key to dial into voicemail
4. For visual voicemail, look for a Voicemail tab in your Phone app

For a complete walkthrough on Android devices, see our guide on how to save a voicemail on Android before it deletes.

Finding Voicemails in the T-Mobile App

T-Mobile integrates Visual Voicemail directly into most phones, but also offers access through their app.

On the Phone

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the Voicemail tab
3. Select the message to play
4. Use the Share option to save or export

Through the T-Mobile App

1. Open the T-Mobile app
2. Log in with account credentials
3. Go to Account → Line settings
4. Voicemail settings can be managed here, though playback typically requires the device

Dialing In Directly

If Visual Voicemail isn't working, dial 1 or hold the 1 key to access voicemail the traditional way. You'll need the voicemail PIN—check if it's saved in the phone's settings or try common PINs your loved one might have used (last four of their phone number is a common default).

When You Don't Have the Phone

If you don't have physical access to your loved one's device, or the phone has been lost or damaged, you still have options.

Contact the Carrier Directly

Call customer service and explain the situation. You'll typically need:

• Proof of death (death certificate)
• Proof of your relationship (executor documentation, marriage certificate, or court order)
• Account information (phone number, account holder name)

Carrier support lines:

• Verizon: 1-800-922-0204
• AT&T: 1-800-331-0500
• T-Mobile: 1-800-937-8997
• US Cellular: 1-888-944-9400

Be patient but persistent. Ask specifically: "Are there any voicemails stored on the account that can be retrieved or sent to me?" Some representatives may not know this is possible, so you may need to escalate to a supervisor or the deceased account services department.

What Carriers Can (and Can't) Do

Carriers store voicemails on their servers, but access policies vary. Some may:

• Keep the line active temporarily while you retrieve messages
• Provide voicemails on a CD or digital file (rare, but possible with legal documentation)
• Transfer account ownership to you so you can access voicemail

They typically cannot retrieve voicemails after the line has been fully canceled and the deletion window has passed.

After You've Found the Voicemails

Once you locate the voicemails, saving them properly is essential. A voicemail sitting in a carrier's system isn't truly safe—it's one account closure or phone malfunction away from being gone forever. And once saved, that precious audio can become the source for something even more meaningful: a keepsake bear that speaks in their voice again.

For detailed instructions on exporting and backing up these recordings, our guide on preserving a deceased loved one's voice message covers multiple backup methods. If you're working with an iPhone specifically, see our iPhone voicemail saving guide for step-by-step instructions.

Quick Save Methods

On iPhone:

• Tap the voicemail → tap Share → choose Save to Files or Voice Memos
• Or share directly to your own phone number via text

On Android:

• Tap and hold the voicemail → select Save or Share
• Export to Google Drive, email, or your own device

Bringing Their Voice Home

Once you've saved the audio files, that short clip—even just a few seconds—can become something you hold close. From a saved voicemail, we can lovingly recreate your loved one's voice and bring it home in a soft keepsake bear that speaks in their voice again with every hug.

Whatever you choose, the most important step is the one you're taking right now: finding and saving these precious recordings so their voice can live on.

If Time Has Run Out

If the voicemails have already been deleted from the carrier's system, don't lose hope entirely. Check:

• The phone's local storage (some devices cache voicemails)
• Cloud backups (iCloud, Google Drive) that may contain voicemail data
• Old phones that might still have messages stored locally
• Your own voicemail for any messages they left you

The voice you're searching for may still exist somewhere. Take a breath, and check every possibility.

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You're doing something meaningful by saving this connection. Even in the midst of grief, taking these steps to preserve their voice is an act of love—and it opens the door to hearing them speak again in a way you can hold close.