How to Find Old Voicemails You Forgot Existed

We often assume that when we switch phones or carriers, our voicemails vanish. But sometimes, digital ghosts linger.

If you are searching for a lost message from a loved one, here are a few places you might not have looked.

1. The "Deleted Messages" Folder

On iPhone:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap "Voicemail."
3. Scroll to the very bottom.
4. Tap "Deleted Messages."

You might be surprised to find messages from months or even years ago that haven't been permanently purged.

2. Old SIM Cards

If you still have your old phone, try putting your old SIM card back in (if it hasn't been deactivated). Sometimes voicemails are stored locally on the device or the SIM itself, rather than on the carrier's server.

3. Carrier Archives

Some carriers archive voicemails for a period of time. It’s a long shot, but worth a try.

• Call your carrier's customer service.
• Ask if they have any "legacy voicemail archives" associated with your number.

4. Cloud Backups

Did you ever do a full phone backup to your computer using iTunes or a third-party tool?

• iTunes Backups: These backups often contain voicemail files. You can use a tool like "iBackupBot" or "iExplorer" to browse the backup files on your computer and extract the audio.

5. Google Voice

Did you ever set up Google Voice? Many people forward their calls to Google Voice and forget about it.

• Log in to your Google account.
• Go to voice.google.com.
• Check the "Voicemail" tab. You might find a treasure trove of old messages.

What to Do When You Find Them

If you find a voicemail, export it immediately.

1. Tap the "Share" icon.
2. Save to "Files" or email it to yourself.
3. Upload it to a secure preservation service like EchoAgain.

Don't let these memories stay hidden. A few minutes of searching could recover a lifetime of comfort.

Found a voicemail? Preserve it forever with EchoAgain.