15 Ways to Fix iPhone Voicemail Not Working in iOS 18

User Concern

“After the update of iOS 18.1. I cannot get my visual voicemail to work nor get any notifications of new voicemail. If anyone knows how to fix it?”

Voicemail is a useful feature that lets callers leave voice messages when you can’t answer the phone. So, it can be really frustrating when voicemail suddenly stops working on your iPhone or iPad.

If you’ve noticed voicemail not working after updating to iOS 18, don’t worry - this guide is here to help. We’ll cover the most common reasons why voicemail might not be working on your iPhone, along with step-by-step solutions to get it running smoothly again.

Why Has My Voicemail Stopped Working on My iPhone?

Before jumping into the fixes, it’s helpful to understand why voicemail might not be working on your iPhone. Knowing the cause can make it easier to choose the right solution. Here are some common reasons:

• If voicemail hasn't been set up correctly, it won't function as expected.
• Weak cellular signal or being out of coverage area may stop your device from connecting to your carrier’s voicemail service.
• A full voicemail inbox can block new messages from being received until space is cleared.
• Active call forwarding may redirect calls away from your voicemail inbox.
• Features like Do Not Disturb, Airplane Mode, or incorrect time zone settings can block voicemail alerts.
• Temporary outages, maintenance, or network glitches on your carrier’s end can affect voicemail services.
• A software bug or an outdated iOS version could interfere with voicemail functions.
• If there's a problem with your mobile plan or payments, voicemail services may be restricted by your carrier.

Common iPhone Voicemail Not Working Problems

You may experience different issues related to your iPhone voicemail if the above factors exist. Some of the problems you can meet are:

• Your iPhone is not showing or downloading voicemail messages.
• You can't set up voicemail after iOS 18 update.
• You don't receive alerts or notifications about voicemails.
• Callers are not able to leave a voicemail message.
• Voicemail is currently unavailable or you cannot access voicemail.
• You are getting duplicate or multiple copies of voicemail messages.
• You can't hear or listen to the voicemail messages.
• You can't delete the voicemail messages.

The following are some of the working solutions if you are facing one or more of the above iPhone voicemail not working issues:

How to Set Up Voicemail Properly on Your iPhone?

It is not uncommon for an iOS update to change the device's configuration. So, if you are experiencing voicemail issues after an iOS 18 update, it is a good idea to check if voicemail is set up correctly on your iPhone. Here's how you can do that:

• Open the Phone app and choose "Voicemail" at the bottom.
• If it hasn't been set up or needs to be set up again, tap "Set Up Now".
• Follow the instructions to create a new password for voicemail.
• Choose a default greeting message or record one and then tap "Done" to save it.

Basic Ways to Fix iPhone Voicemail Not Working Issue

If the voicemail is set up properly, check these simple methods below to quickly fix the voicemail not working issue.

Try to Call the Voicemail Directly

There could be an issue with your carrier’s voicemail service. To check, follow these simple steps:

• Open the Phone app and click on Keypad at the bottom.
• Keep pressing the number 1 and it will directly call the voicemail.
• Then, you can check all your saved voicemails here.

Empty Your Voicemail Box

At times, your voicemail inbox can reach its storage limit, preventing new messages from being received. Even though your iPhone may have plenty of free storage, voicemail capacity is managed separately and can fill up fast - especially if you get frequent calls or spam. To free up space:

1. Open the Phone app and go to the Voicemail tab.
2. Tap Edit in the upper-right corner, then select the voicemails you want to remove.
3. After selecting, tap Delete in the bottom-right corner to clear them from your inbox.

Force Quit the Phone App

Another quick and effective way to fix voicemail issues on your iPhone is to force close the Phone app. This can help clear out any minor software glitches that might be causing the problem.

• On iPhones with Face ID: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle. Find the Phone app preview and swipe it up to close.
• On iPhones with Touch ID: Double-press the Home button to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the Phone app preview to close it.

After that, reopen the Phone app and check if Voicemail is working properly.

Turn Off/On Cellular Service

Since voicemail issues are often linked to carrier network problems, toggling your cellular connection off and back on might help resolve the issue.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Mobile or Cellular Data.
2. Toggle Cellular Data off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
3. Now check if your voicemail is working properly.

Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

If you're facing network-related issues, toggling Airplane Mode on and off can often help. It's a quick trick that refreshes your iPhone's connection to the network. So, if voicemail isn't working, give this method a try.

• On iPhones with Face ID: Swipe down from the top-right and tap the airplane icon to turn it on. Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to turn it off.
• On iPhones with Touch ID: Swipe up from the bottom, tap the airplane icon to turn it on, wait, then tap it again to turn it off.

Force Restart Your iPhone

The next simple solution to try if your iPhone voicemail is not working properly is to force restart the device. This will be particularly helpful if the iOS system has a glitch that could be causing the problem. Here's how you can force restart your iPhone:

• For iPhone 8 or later - Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, and then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Now keep holding the Power (Side) button until you see the Apple logo.
• For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus - Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
• For iPhone 6 or earlier - Press and hold the Home and Power button at the same time until you see the Apple logo.

Turn On Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone

If you’re in an area with weak cellular signal, your voicemails may take longer to download, or you might miss calls without the phone ringing. To fix this, try turning on Wi-Fi Calling.

1. Go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.
2. Then, toggle on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone.

It’s free and works automatically when you’re connected to Wi-Fi, so it’s a good idea to leave it on all the time.

Toggle Off Call Forwarding on iPhone

If Call Forwarding is turned on, it might be the reason your voicemail isn’t working. To fix this, simply turn off Call Forwarding on your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app, tap Phone, then select Call Forwarding.
2. Make sure the toggle is turned Off.

Automatically Set Date & Time on iPhone

If the date and time settings on your iPhone are incorrect, it can cause voicemail to malfunction. To ensure your voicemail works smoothly, make sure your time zone is set correctly by enabling the automatic time setting:

1. Open Settings, go to General, then tap Date & Time.
2. Turn on the switch next to Set Automatically to let your iPhone adjust the time zone based on your location.

Advanced Tips to Fix Voicemail Not Working on iPhone

If you still can’t receive voicemail on your iPhone, try these pro tips to fix the issue.

Reset Voicemail Password

You can also fix the problem with voicemail on your iPhone by resetting the voicemail password. Here's how to do it:

• Begin by contacting your carrier's service about the problem. Be sure to be as detailed as possible.
• Now, on your iPhone, open the Phone app and then navigate to the voicemail tab.
• A popup will appear telling you to set up your voicemail. You can tap Change Voicemail Password to reset the password.

Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings on iPhone could also work to solve this problem. But keep in mind that you will have to sign in to all your networks again after doing this. To reset iPhone network settings, follow these simple steps:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and go to General.
2. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and tap on Reset Network Settings.
3. Enter your device's passcode to confirm the reset and wait for the process to be completed.

Update Software on iPhone

If voicemail still isn’t working on your iOS device, the issue may be caused by a software glitch. In this case, updating your software is often the best way to fix the problem. To update your iPhone’s iOS version:

• Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Your device will automatically check for the latest available version.
• If an update is found, tap Download and Install.

Check & Update Carrier Settings

Carrier providers roll out frequent updates to fix network-related issues and also enhance performance. So, if there is any update, make sure to update the carrier setting on your iPhone. Sometimes if your carrier settings are out of date, it can cause iPhone voicemail to stop working. Here's how to do that:

1. Open the Settings and then go to General > About.
2. If an update is available, tap Update to install the carrier settings.

Fix iPhone Voicemail Not Working without Data Loss

If all the solutions above fail to work, the problem might be the iOS system itself, in which case you might need an iOS system repair tool. One of the best tools to use is FoneGeek iOS System Recovery.

The program is very simple to use and will repair any iOS issues without data loss, including voicemail-related problems, iPhone stuck in Recovery mode, DFU mode, black screen, iPhone keeps restarting, etc. Plus, it is fully compatible with the latest iOS 18/17 and iPhone 16/15.

To fix voicemail not working on iPhone problem, download and install the iOS repair tool on to your computer and then follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open FoneGeek iOS System Recovery software on your computer after successful installation, and in the main window, select the "Standard Mode" option.

Step 2: Now connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable. The program should automatically detect the device.

Step 3: The program will immediately search for the latest firmware for your device. Select a proper version and click on "Download" to begin downloading the firmware package.

Step 4: When the firmware has been downloaded, click on "Fix Now" and the program will begin repairing the device. Please keep your iPhone connected to the computer and wait for the process to complete.

The whole process will take only a few minutes. The device will restart in normal mode and the iPhone voicemail not working problem should be gone.

Contact Carrier or Apple Support

If you still have problems with voicemail on your iPhone, you can contact your carrier and ask them to check for any other errors. Also, you can contact Apple Support online or go to your local Apple Store for further assistance.

The Bottom Line

If voicemail isn’t working on your iPhone, it can be a serious issue. You might miss important calls, job opportunities, or events. The good news is that there are several simple fixes you can try, and most of the time, they’ll solve the problem quickly.

If you’ve lost or deleted a voicemail by mistake, you can use a tool like FoneGeek iPhone Data Recovery to get it back. This tool can recover voicemails, photos, messages, contacts, and more. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require any technical skills, making it a great option to recover lost data from your iPhone.