Are you tired of listening to every single saved message in your Verizon voicemail inbox, even the ones you've already heard a dozen times? We get it! It can be incredibly frustrating to navigate through old messages when all you want to do is get to the new ones or simply hang up.
Fortunately, Verizon's voicemail system offers some handy shortcuts to help you manage your messages more efficiently. While you can't magically "skip" saved messages from outside the voicemail system, you can definitely speed things up once you're in there. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to master your Verizon voicemail and bypass those repetitive saved messages.
Understanding Verizon Voicemail: The Basics
Before we dive into skipping, let's quickly review how Verizon voicemail generally works. When you dial into your voicemail, the system typically plays new messages first, followed by saved messages (often in reverse chronological order, meaning most recent saved first). The key to skipping lies in using the dial pad shortcuts while a message is playing.
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| How To Skip Saved Messages On Verizon Voicemail |
Step 1: Accessing Your Verizon Voicemail
Ready to take control of your voicemail? Let's start by getting into your mailbox!
There are a few ways to access your Verizon voicemail:
From your Verizon mobile phone:
Dial *86: This is the most common and direct way.
Long-press the '1' key: Many phones are pre-configured to dial voicemail when you long-press the '1' key on the dial pad.
From another phone (landline or non-Verizon mobile):
Dial your 10-digit Verizon mobile number.
When your voicemail greeting begins, press the # (pound) key. This will interrupt the greeting and prompt you to enter your password.
Enter your voicemail password when prompted, followed by the # key.
Step 2: Navigating Your Voicemail Inbox
Once you've successfully logged into your voicemail, you'll typically hear the system announce any new messages, followed by saved messages. This is where the magic of skipping comes in!
Sub-heading: Listening to New Messages
The system generally plays new messages first. If you have new messages, listen to them as needed.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling, read carefully here.
Sub-heading: The Power of the Pound (#) Key
This is your go-to key for skipping!
While a message (new or saved) is playing: Press the # (pound) key once to skip to the next message.
Important Note: This skip option may not be available in all regions (e.g., NY/CT, MA, RI) according to older Verizon documentation, but it's widely available for most users.
Step 3: Strategically Skipping Saved Messages
Now, let's get down to the primary goal: avoiding those old, familiar messages.
Sub-heading: Skipping During Playback
As mentioned in Step 2, the most effective way to skip a saved message you don't want to hear again is to press the # key while it's playing. The system will immediately advance to the next message in your inbox.
Sub-heading: Fast-Forwarding Through Messages
If you've started listening to a saved message but realize you want to get to the end quickly without skipping the entire message (perhaps you want to hear the very end for a detail), you can use the fast-forward option:
While listening to a message, press 3. This will fast-forward a few seconds.
Press 3-3 (press 3 twice quickly) to fast-forward to the end of the current message. This is a great shortcut if you just need to get past the current message's content to move on.
Step 4: Managing Your Saved Messages (To Avoid Future Listening)
The best way to "skip" saved messages in the future is to not have them saved in the first place if they're no longer needed! Regularly managing your voicemail inbox is crucial for efficiency.
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
Sub-heading: Deleting Messages You No Longer Need
After listening to a message (or while it's playing and you've heard enough), press 7 to delete the message. This permanently removes it from your inbox, so you won't have to skip it again.
Pro Tip: Get into the habit of deleting messages immediately after you've processed the information.
Sub-heading: The "Save" Option – Use It Wisely!
After listening to a message, press 9 to save the message. While this is helpful for important voicemails, over-saving leads to a cluttered inbox and more messages you'll want to skip in the future.
Consider: Do you really need to save this message, or can you just note down the important information?
Sub-heading: Utilizing Visual Voicemail (If Available)
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If your Verizon plan and phone support Visual Voicemail, this is by far the easiest way to manage messages and avoid listening to saved ones.
Visual Voicemail allows you to see a list of all your messages (new and saved) on your phone's screen. You can then select which messages to listen to, delete them, or save them, all without having to dial into the voicemail system and listen to prompts.
Check your phone's "Phone" app or look for a dedicated "Voicemail" app. iPhones have it built into the Phone app, while Android phones may have a separate Visual Voicemail app or it might be integrated into the dialer.
If you're constantly struggling with too many saved messages, investing in a Visual Voicemail enabled plan or using the feature if you already have it, is highly recommended.
Step 5: Additional Voicemail Navigation Shortcuts
Beyond skipping and deleting, here are a few other handy Verizon voicemail shortcuts that can make your experience smoother:
Press 1: Rewind a few seconds during message playback. Press 1-1 to rewind to the beginning of the message.
Press 2: Pause message playback. Press any key to resume.
Press 5: Hear envelope information (date, time, and caller's number) for the current message.
Press * (Star) key: This often acts as a "cancel" or "exit" button, or to return to the previous menu.
Press 0: Get help or hear a list of options.
Important Considerations
Regional Differences: While the # key is generally universal for skipping to the next message, some older Verizon voicemail systems in specific regions (like parts of the Northeast US) might have slightly different functionalities or limitations. If you find the # key isn't working as expected, consult Verizon's official user guide for your specific service area or contact their customer support.
Voicemail Capacity: Remember that Verizon voicemail typically has a limit on the number of messages you can save and the duration of each message. Regularly deleting old messages helps ensure you don't hit this capacity and miss new, important voicemails.
By consistently applying these steps and utilizing the shortcuts, you'll transform your Verizon voicemail experience from a tedious chore into a quick and efficient task. No more endlessly waiting for old messages to play out!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Verizon voicemail, starting with "How to," along with their quick answers:
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
How to check my Verizon voicemail?
To check your Verizon voicemail, dial *86 from your Verizon mobile phone, or long-press the '1' key. If calling from another phone, dial your 10-digit mobile number and press # when your greeting begins, then enter your password.
How to delete a voicemail on Verizon?
While listening to a voicemail message, press the 7 key on your phone's dial pad to delete the message. You can also delete messages through the Visual Voicemail app if you have it.
How to save a voicemail on Verizon?
While listening to a voicemail message, press the 9 key on your phone's dial pad to save the message. Saved messages remain in your inbox until you delete them.
How to rewind a voicemail on Verizon?
While listening to a voicemail, press the 1 key to rewind a few seconds. Press 1-1 (press 1 twice quickly) to rewind to the beginning of the message.
How to fast-forward a voicemail on Verizon?
While listening to a voicemail, press the 3 key to fast-forward a few seconds. Press 3-3 (press 3 twice quickly) to fast-forward to the end of the message.
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
How to change my Verizon voicemail greeting?
Dial into your voicemail (*86), enter your password, then look for options related to "Personal Options" or "Greetings" (often by pressing 4 from the main menu) to record or change your greeting.
How to reset my Verizon voicemail password?
You can reset your voicemail password through the My Verizon app or by dialing *611 from your Verizon phone and following the automated prompts. You may also be able to do it by calling your own number from another phone, pressing # when the greeting starts, and looking for a "forgot password" or "reset password" option.
How to set up Visual Voicemail on Verizon?
Visual Voicemail is often pre-installed or available as an app on your smartphone. On iPhones, it's integrated into the Phone app. On Android, search for a "Visual Voicemail" app. You may need to activate the service through your My Verizon account or by calling customer service.
How to get voicemail notifications from Verizon?
Ensure your phone's notification settings are correctly configured for the Phone or Voicemail app. If you're using Visual Voicemail, ensure mobile data is enabled, as some Visual Voicemail apps require a data connection to receive notifications.
How to bypass my Verizon voicemail greeting when calling in?
When calling your own Verizon number from another phone to check voicemail, press the # (pound) key as soon as you hear your greeting. This will usually interrupt the greeting and prompt you to enter your password.
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