How to Download a Voicemail as an Audio File

If you're here because you need to save a voicemail from someone you love—perhaps someone who is no longer with you—please know that what you're trying to do matters deeply. That voice is worth saving, and you have more options than you might think.

Let's get that voicemail downloaded as an audio file you can keep—and perhaps one day use to bring their voice home again.

Act Quickly: Voicemails Can Disappear

Before we dive into the steps, a critical note: most carriers automatically delete voicemails after 14-40 days, and some delete them even sooner once they've been listened to. If you're working with a deceased loved one's phone, time is especially precious.

If you haven't yet located the voicemail you need, our guide on finding voicemails on carrier apps can help you track down messages that may still be recoverable.

Downloading a Voicemail on iPhone

iPhones with Visual Voicemail make this process relatively straightforward. Here's exactly how to do it:

Method 1: Share Directly as an Audio File

1. Open the Phone app and tap Voicemail at the bottom right
2. Find and tap the voicemail you want to save
3. Tap the Share button (the square with an upward arrow)
4. Choose where to save it:
   • Save to Files stores it on your iPhone or iCloud Drive as an .m4a file
   • AirDrop sends it directly to a Mac or another Apple device
   • Mail or Messages lets you email or text it to yourself
   • Voice Memos saves it to that app for easy playback

The file will be saved in .m4a format, which plays on virtually any device or computer.

Method 2: Save to Voice Memos for Easier Access

If you want the voicemail in a dedicated place where you can listen to it easily:

1. Follow steps 1-3 above
2. Select Voice Memos from the share options
3. The voicemail now lives in your Voice Memos app, where you can rename it, trim it, or share it again later

For a more detailed walkthrough with screenshots, see our complete guide on saving a voicemail from iPhone for a memorial.

Downloading a Voicemail on Android

Android varies more by manufacturer and carrier, but here are the most common methods:

Method 1: Using the Phone App (Visual Voicemail)

1. Open your Phone app
2. Tap Voicemail (usually at the bottom of the screen or in the menu)
3. Select the voicemail you want to save
4. Look for a Share icon (three connected dots) or a Save option
5. Choose Save to device, Google Drive, or share via email

The exact menu names vary—Samsung phones may show "Save" directly, while Google Pixel phones use the share icon.

Method 2: Using Your Carrier's Visual Voicemail App

Many carriers have dedicated voicemail apps with download features:

• Verizon: Open the My Verizon app or Visual Voicemail app, select the message, and tap Save or Share
• AT&T: Use the AT&T Visual Voicemail app, tap the message, then tap the share or download icon
• T-Mobile: The T-Mobile Visual Voicemail app lets you tap and hold a message to reveal save options

If you're having trouble locating voicemails on Android, our guide on saving a voicemail on Android before it deletes covers carrier-specific steps in more detail.

Method 3: Screen Recording as a Backup

If your phone doesn't offer a direct download option, you can capture the audio by screen recording while the voicemail plays:

1. Enable screen recording (pull down your notification shade and look for Screen Recorder)
2. Start the recording
3. Play the voicemail on speaker
4. Stop the recording

This creates a video file with the audio. Not ideal, but it works when other methods fail.

Downloading Voicemails from Carrier Websites

If you have access to the account (either your own or a deceased loved one's), you may be able to download voicemails directly from your carrier's website:

Verizon

1. Log in at verizonwireless.com
2. Navigate to My Verizon > Devices
3. Select the phone line
4. Look for Voicemail settings or Messages
5. Some voicemails can be played and downloaded from here

AT&T

1. Log in at att.com
2. Go to myAT&T > Account overview
3. Select the relevant line and look for voicemail options

T-Mobile

1. Log in at my.t-mobile.com
2. Navigate to your line's details
3. Check for voicemail access under messaging features

Note: Not all carriers offer web-based voicemail downloads, and availability changes. Calling customer service and explaining your situation—especially if you're trying to save a deceased family member's messages—can sometimes unlock options that aren't visible online.

Transferring Your Downloaded Voicemail to a Computer

Once you have the voicemail as a file on your phone, getting it to your computer adds another layer of safety:

From iPhone to Computer

• iCloud Drive: If you saved to Files > iCloud Drive, access it at icloud.com or in Finder on Mac
• AirDrop: Send directly to any Mac
• Email: Send the file to yourself and download on your computer
• Cable transfer: Connect your iPhone to your computer and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to access files

From Android to Computer

• Google Drive: If you saved to Google Drive, access it at drive.google.com
• Email: Send the file to yourself
• USB cable: Connect your phone and browse to the file location (often in Downloads or a Voicemail folder)

Converting to Different Audio Formats

The voicemail will typically save as an .m4a (iPhone) or .amr/.mp3 (Android) file. If you need a different format:

• For MP3: Use free tools like Audacity, VLC Media Player, or online converters like CloudConvert
• For WAV: Same tools work—just select WAV as your output format

Most memorial and keepsake services accept common formats like MP3, M4A, and WAV without any conversion needed.

Keeping That Voice Safe Forever

Once you've downloaded the voicemail, take a moment to back it up in multiple places—cloud storage, an external hard drive, and perhaps emailed to a trusted family member. Digital files can be lost to device failures or account issues.

For guidance on long-term options, including how to preserve a loved one's voice before it's lost, we've compiled resources ranging from simple cloud backups to keepsakes that can lovingly recreate their voice.

What If the Voicemail Is Already Gone?

If the message has been deleted from your phone, don't lose hope yet. Check your carrier's "deleted messages" folder (some keep voicemails for 30 days after deletion), contact customer service to ask about recovery options, or look for old backups of your phone that might contain the message.

Our guide on preserving a deceased loved one's voice message covers recovery options in more depth.

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That voicemail represents something irreplaceable. Taking the time to download and save it is a meaningful act of love—one that keeps the door open for their voice to be heard again, perhaps even recreated in a keepsake that brings comfort whenever you need it most.