How to Retrieve Deleted Voicemails on iPhone: A Complete Guide
Accidentally deleting a voicemail—whether it’s from a loved one or an important caller—can feel frustrating. Thankfully, all hope isn’t lost. There are multiple ways to retrieve deleted voicemails on iPhone, whether you just removed them or it’s been a while.
In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to retrieve deleted voicemails on an iPhone using built-in features, backup options, and third-party tools. No tech skills are needed—just follow along, and you’ll have your messages back in no time.
Understanding Where Voicemails Are Stored on iPhone
Knowing where voicemails are stored can help you understand how deletion and recovery work. iPhones use a visual voicemail system, and the messages are typically stored by your carrier, not just your device.
Visual voicemail stores voicemails locally on your iPhone. Carrier voicemail stores them on the network. Understanding this helps in choosing the correct method for recovery.
Deleted voicemails often go to a “Deleted Messages” folder for a limited time. After that, they may be permanently removed from the carrier’s server.
Want to play voicemails on a bigger screen during meetings or with family? Read this quick tutorial on how to screen mirror iPhone to Roku and enjoy wireless sharing.
Why Do Voicemails Get Deleted?
Voicemails may be deleted by mistake, during storage management, or after a system update. iPhones often store deleted voicemails temporarily, but after a certain period, they may be permanently removed if not recovered.
How to Retrieve Deleted Voicemails on iPhone?
Here are some methods you can try to recover your lost voicemails, depending on your iOS version and carrier settings.
1. Recover from “Deleted Messages” Folder (Most Common)
Most iPhones have a “Deleted Messages” section within the Voicemail tab where recently deleted voicemails are temporarily stored.
Steps:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the Voicemail tab.
- Scroll to find Deleted Messages.
- Tap the message you want to recover.
- Tap Undelete.
Note: Deleted voicemails stay here only for a limited time—usually 30 days.
2. Check Carrier Voicemail Backups
Some cellular carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer cloud backup or voicemail recovery services.
- Log in to your carrier account via the web or app.
- Look for a Voicemail or Call History section.
- If available, download or request a copy of deleted voicemails.
Restore from iCloud or iTunes Backup
While voicemail isn’t always backed up individually, iCloud and iTunes can still save it as part of a full backup. This can be a lifesaver if you ever need to restore your iPhone.
iCloud Backup Settings for Voicemail
Make sure Voicemail is included in your iCloud backup by enabling relevant settings. Note that iCloud does not always back up voicemails if they’re stored by the carrier.
Restoring Voicemails from iTunes Backup
If you have an old iTunes backup, restoring your iPhone from it might bring back previously deleted voicemails.
4. Use Third-Party iPhone Data Recovery Tools
If the voicemail is not in Deleted Messages and you don’t want to restore your iPhone, consider trusted data recovery tools like:
| Tool Name | Features | Free Version | Compatibility |
| iMobie PhoneRescue | Retrieves voicemails, messages, more | Yes | iOS 17 & below |
| Dr.Fone by Wondershare | Deep data scan, selective restore | Yes | iOS 12–17 |
| Tenorshare UltData | Easy interface, supports many formats | Yes | iOS 11–17 |
Tip: Always use tools from verified developers and read reviews before purchase.
Best Practices to Avoid Losing Voicemails in the Future
While it’s possible to retrieve deleted voicemails on an iPhone, prevention is always better than cure. Following a few simple practices can help ensure your important voice messages are never lost again.
Regularly Back Up Your iPhone
Enable iCloud backups or use iTunes to save your data. This ensures that even if you delete a voicemail by mistake, you can restore it from a backup.
Use Visual Voicemail Carefully
Avoid mass-deleting voicemails in a hurry. Take time to review them one by one to prevent accidental deletions.
Keep iOS Updated
Sometimes, voicemail glitches happen due to outdated software. Keeping your iPhone updated minimizes the chances of bugs and data loss.
Use Third-Party Voicemail Apps with Caution
If you use apps like Google Voice, make sure they sync properly with your default voicemail system. Misconfigurations can lead to lost or inaccessible messages.
Common Reasons Voicemail Recovery Fails
Even after using all available recovery methods, sometimes voicemails can’t be retrieved due to a few unavoidable issues. Understanding these reasons can help you figure out what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future.
- Voicemail was permanently deleted: Most carriers store deleted voicemails only for a limited time. After that, they’re permanently removed from the system.
- iCloud or iTunes backup was made after deletion: If the voicemail was already deleted when the backup was created, it won’t be recoverable.
- Carrier updates or resets wiped data: Sometimes carrier-related updates or changes in settings may erase old or deleted voicemail data.
- Voicemail syncing is disabled: If syncing is turned off, your voicemails may not be backed up or restored across devices.
- Network or server issues: Temporary glitches with your carrier’s voicemail servers can also result in message loss.
Just recovered voicemails but struggling to sync them across devices? Learn how to sync messages from iPhone to Mac to access everything in one place.
FAQs
Conclusion
Losing a voicemail isn’t the end of the world—especially when you know how to retrieve deleted voicemails on an iPhone. Start with the Deleted Messages folder, then try carrier tools or backup restores. For stubborn cases, professional software might do the trick.
Don’t forget to back up your data regularly and save important voicemails manually to avoid future mishaps. With these tips, you’ll never have to worry about losing valuable voice messages again.
