How to Change Your Voicemail Message and Settings in 2026

How to Change Your Voicemail Message and Settings in 2026

Learning how to change your voicemail is a fundamental step in personalising your mobile phone experience in 2026. Whether you are setting up a new device, switching to a different UK network, or simply updating your professional greeting, knowing exactly how to change what your voicemail says ensures callers receive the right information when you cannot answer the phone.

To change what your voicemail is, you must access your device's native phone application or dial your network's specific shortcode. Over the years, the process has become much more streamlined with visual voicemail interfaces, but traditional dial-in menus remain a reliable backup for all UK mobile users.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to update, personalise, and secure your voicemail greetings across various modern devices, operating systems, and major UK network providers. By following these instructions, you can ensure your voicemail system is fully optimised and secure.

Summary

This guide provides up-to-date instructions for UK mobile users on how to update their voicemail greetings and settings in 2026. It covers the exact steps for the latest iOS and Android devices, explains how to reset voicemail passwords, and lists the specific dial-in shortcodes required by major UK networks like Vodafone, EE, and Three.

TLDR

• You can find your voicemail settings directly within the native Phone app on most modern iOS and Android devices.
• Visual voicemail allows you to record greetings on-screen, while traditional voicemail requires calling a network shortcode.
• iPhone users can change their greeting by navigating to Phone > Voicemail > Greeting > Custom.
• Android users can typically access their settings by holding down the '1' key on their dialpad.
• UK network shortcodes for voicemail are 121 for Vodafone, 222 for EE, 123 for Three, and 901 for O2.
• Passwords can be reset in your phone settings or via the carrier's automated phone menu.

Where to Find Your Voicemail Settings

If you find yourself asking, Where are my voicemail settings?, the answer is almost always located within your device's native Phone app. On both iOS and Android smartphones, the Phone app serves as the central hub for your call history, contacts, and voicemail configurations.

There is a distinct difference between visual voicemail menus and traditional dial-in menus. Visual voicemail provides a graphical interface on your screen, allowing you to tap, play, delete, and record greetings without listening to automated voice prompts. Traditional dial-in menus require you to call a specific number and use your keypad to navigate audio instructions. If your visual voicemail is not activating properly, you may need to contact O2 customer service or your respective network provider to ensure the feature is provisioned on your account.

How to Change Your Voicemail on iPhone

To update your greeting on an Apple device running iOS 26, the process is heavily integrated into the visual voicemail system. Open your Phone app, tap the Voicemail tab in the bottom right corner, and select Greeting at the top left. From there, switch the checkmark from Default to Custom, tap Record to speak your new message, and press Save when you are satisfied.

Updating Voicemail on Newer Models (iPhone 14, 15, 16, and 17)

For those upgrading to the latest Apple flagship devices, the visual voicemail interface remains largely identical across the board. Whether you are looking up how to change your voicemail on iphone 16 or wondering how to change your voicemail on iphone 17, the steps are exactly the same. Apple has maintained a consistent design language, meaning that if you already know how to change your voicemail on iphone 15 or how to change your voicemail on iphone 14, you will find the exact same Phone > Voicemail > Greeting menu path on the newest hardware.

Updating Voicemail on Older Models (iPhone 11)

If you are still using an older device in 2026, you might be wondering how to change your voicemail on iphone 11. While the iPhone 11 may not support the absolute latest iOS 26 features, the fundamental voicemail interface remains unchanged. Open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, and select Greeting. If your network does not support visual voicemail on legacy software, tapping the Voicemail tab will automatically dial your carrier's automated service instead.

How to Change Your Voicemail on iPad

Many users wonder how to change your voicemail on ipad, especially if they use their tablet for business. If you have a cellular iPad model or use Wi-Fi calling linked to your iPhone, you can manage your voicemail through the FaceTime app or the integrated Phone settings. Simply navigate to Settings, select Phone (or FaceTime, depending on your linked setup), and look for the Voicemail section to record a new custom greeting.

How to Change Your Voicemail on Android

Understanding how to change your voicemail on android requires a quick trip to your default dialler app. For most standard Android devices, you can open the Phone app, bring up the keypad, and press and hold the '1' key to speed-dial your voicemail service. Alternatively, you can tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, select Settings, and then tap Voicemail to access visual voicemail options or change your setup number. If you experience connection issues or missing menus on certain mobile virtual network operators, you may need to reach out to Lycamobile customer service or your specific provider for manual configuration steps.

Specific Steps for Samsung Devices

Samsung's One UI software has its own distinct look in 2026. If you need to know how to change your voicemail on samsung, open the Samsung Phone app, tap the three vertical dots, and select Settings. Scroll down to Voicemail. Here, you will find the Voicemail number and, if supported by your UK carrier, the Visual Voicemail toggle. To record a new greeting, you will typically need to hold '1' on the keypad and follow the automated voice prompts.

How to Change Your Voicemail Password

Securing your inbox is crucial, which is why knowing how to change your voicemail password is so important. You will need this PIN if you ever want to check your messages from a different phone, a landline, or while travelling abroad.

Resetting Your Password on iPhone

Apple makes it incredibly simple to update your security PIN directly from the device settings. Navigate to the main Settings app, scroll down and tap Phone, then select Change Voicemail Password. Enter your new 4-to-6 digit PIN and tap Done to confirm.

Resetting Your Password on Android

If you are looking up how to change your voicemail password on android, the process usually involves your carrier's dial-in menu. Press and hold '1' to call your voicemail. Once connected, press '*' or '#' to access the main menu, select the option for Personal Options or Settings, and follow the prompts to update your PIN. Some modern Android builds also allow you to change the PIN directly by going to Phone app > Settings > Voicemail > Change PIN.

How to Change Your Voicemail with UK Mobile Networks

If your smartphone does not support visual voicemail, you will need to use traditional dial-in shortcodes. These are specific three-digit numbers provided by major UK network operators to access your inbox and settings.

Vodafone

To learn how to change your voicemail with vodafone, simply open your dialler and call 121. Once connected to the automated system, press 2 for greetings, then press 1 to record a new personal greeting. Follow the voice prompts to save your new audio message.

EE

If you are an EE customer, the process for how to change your voicemail with ee is just as straightforward. Dial 222 from your EE mobile. Press 3 to access your settings and personal options, then press 2 to manage your greetings. You will be prompted to record and confirm your new message.

Three

For users on the Three network, discovering how to change your voicemail with three involves calling 123 from your handset. Once the main menu begins playing, press 3 to access the greetings menu. From there, you can listen to your current message, delete it, or record a brand new custom greeting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's the number to change your voicemail?

The number required to access and change your voicemail depends entirely on your UK network provider. If you do not have visual voicemail, you must dial your carrier's specific shortcode. For Vodafone customers, the number is 121. EE users should dial 222, Three customers use 123, and O2 users must dial 901.

How to change your voicemail when someone calls you?

When someone calls you and you do not answer, they hear your voicemail greeting. To dictate exactly what callers hear, you must update your custom greeting in your phone's settings. By recording a new message via visual voicemail or your carrier's dial-in menu, you can easily control how to change what your voicemail sounds like to incoming callers.

How do I change my voicemail with international networks?

While UK mobile users rely on local shortcodes like 121 or 222, international networks utilise their own specific numbers and systems. If you are travelling or using foreign SIMs, holding the '1' key on your dialpad is the universal standard for how to change your voicemail with verizon and how to change your voicemail with t mobile in the United States. In Australia, the shortcodes differ; you will need to dial 101 if you are researching how to change your voicemail with telstra, or dial 321 to figure out how to change my voicemail with optus.