### What You Should Know
On an iPhone, deleted voicemail messages are not immediately erased from your device. Instead, they are stored temporarily in a special section within the Phone app called **Deleted Messages**. This feature functions much like the trash or recycle bin on a computer, serving as a holding place where removed items can be retrieved if you change your mind. However, if a voicemail has already been cleared from this section, either by the system, by syncing the device, or through manual deletion, it is almost certainly gone permanently and cannot be restored. Additionally, if you wish to ensure that no deleted voicemail remains recoverable, the iPhone provides a **Clear All** option in the Deleted Messages area to erase them completely and beyond retrieval.
The guidance below outlines both the process for recovering a voicemail that has been removed but not yet permanently deleted, as well as the method for permanently clearing undesired messages from your phone. These instructions are specifically intended for iPhone devices running **iOS 10 or later**, which are equipped with the modern Visual Voicemail interface.
—
### How to Recover a Deleted Voicemail on iPhone
If you have mistakenly deleted a voicemail but would like to restore it, the process can be accomplished in just a few steps:
1. Begin by launching the **Phone** application from your home screen. This is the same app used to place calls and check call history.
2. Once inside the app, select the **Voicemail** tab, which is located in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will display your Visual Voicemail inbox.
3. At the bottom of your voicemail list, look for the **Deleted Messages** option. Tapping this will open a list of voicemails previously deleted but still being temporarily stored. If the option is not visible, it means that there are currently no recoverable messages available on your device.
4. From this list, locate the specific voicemail you would like to restore and tap on it to select it.
5. To bring it back, tap **Undelete** beneath the chosen message. In some versions of iOS, the option may appear as a red trash can icon with a line drawn through it, serving the same purpose.
6. After undeleting, tap **Voicemail** in the upper-left corner to return to your main voicemail screen. The recovered message will once again appear alongside your other voicemails, fully restored for playback or management.
—
### When Recovery Is Not Possible
Despite the convenience of this recovery system, there are circumstances in which retrieval of a deleted voicemail is no longer possible. The Deleted Messages section is not a permanent storage space—it functions only as a temporary buffer. Much like emptying a computer’s recycle bin, once the messages are completely removed from this section, they cannot be recovered.
Several actions can result in permanent deletion:
– **Syncing with a Computer**: When your iPhone is synchronized with a computer, the system automatically clears certain temporary files, which may include any deleted voicemails still lingering in storage.
– **Manual Clearing**: Using the **Clear All** option within the Deleted Messages folder permanently erases every stored voicemail.
– **Carrier or System Actions**: In some cases, your mobile provider may automatically clear deleted messages after a certain period of time, without notification.
Thus, if you have not yet synced your phone and still see a voicemail inside the Deleted Messages folder, recovery is possible. On the other hand, if the voicemail no longer appears in this section, it should be considered permanently lost.
—
### How to Permanently Delete Voicemails on iPhone
If your goal is not to recover messages but to remove them so they cannot ever be retrieved, you can manually clear them from your iPhone by following these instructions:
1. Open the **Phone** app.
2. Navigate to the **Voicemail** tab found at the bottom right of the screen.
3. Tap into the **Deleted Messages** folder to review any voicemails currently stored there.
4. In the top-right corner, tap **Clear All**, which selects every deleted voicemail.
5. A confirmation dialog will appear, asking you to verify your decision. Tap **Clear All** once more to finalize the operation.
After this, your Deleted Messages folder will be completely empty, and none of the items that were previously there will be recoverable. This is the most definitive way to ensure that unwanted or sensitive voicemails are permanently erased from your device.
—
### FAQ
**How do I recover deleted voicemails on an Android device?**
In contrast to iPhones, recovery on Android devices generally depends on the policies of your mobile carrier. In many cases, you will need to contact your carrier directly to inquire about possible message retrieval. Some alternative voicemail or calling apps include their own “trash” or temporary deletion folders, which you can check, but this varies between apps and devices.
**Can I recover deleted voicemails on Google Voice?**
No. Unlike the iPhone system, Google Voice does not provide a recovery feature for voicemails that have already been deleted. Once you remove them, they are gone permanently. Therefore, if you suspect that a voicemail may be important in the future, it is advisable to archive it instead of deleting it. To do so, open the voicemail, tap the three-dot **Options** icon, and choose **Archive**. You can then access and manage archived voicemails by navigating to the Archive section in the app’s main menu.
—
By becoming familiar with these features, iPhone users can not only save themselves from accidentally losing valuable messages but also maintain control over their voicemail storage, ensuring that nothing remains longer than they wish.
Sourse: https://www.lifewire.com/undelete-voicemails-on-iphone-2000558
