# iPhone Voicemail Is Full: How to Fix It URL: https://byshahid.com/blog/voicemail-is-full-iphone/ App: Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322) Author: Muhammad Shahid Updated: 2026-11-04 > Callers are told your mailbox cannot accept messages. Every carrier mailbox has a fixed capacity, counted in number of messages and in total minutes. Once it is reached the platform stops accepting new ones and plays a mailbox-full announcement to your callers, so this fails silently from your side — you get no warning. - **What it does:** Callers are told your mailbox cannot accept messages. - **Published for:** any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular - **Type:** iOS setting Callers are told your mailbox cannot accept messages. This page explains what it does, how to use it on an iPhone and which carriers it applies to. I build **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier**, a free iPhone app with 317 checked codes and guides, including this one. If you would rather tap than memorise, [get Secret Codes on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322). ## Why does this happen and how do I fix it? Every carrier mailbox has a fixed capacity, counted in number of messages and in total minutes. Once it is reached the platform stops accepting new ones and plays a mailbox-full announcement to your callers, so this fails silently from your side — you get no warning. The confusing part on iPhone is deletion. In Visual Voicemail, deleting a message moves it to Deleted Messages, and depending on the carrier it may continue to occupy the mailbox until it is cleared for good. Emptying the deleted list is a separate action and it is the step people miss. Older messages you saved years ago are the usual bulk. Archived and saved messages count toward the same limit as new ones. **Important:** Clearing deleted voicemails is permanent. Save anything you need — a recording you may want later should be exported before you empty the list. ## What should I try, in order? - Open the Phone app and tap Voicemail. Delete messages you no longer need. - Scroll to the bottom of the list, open Deleted Messages, and tap Clear All. Until you do this the messages can still count against your mailbox. - If Visual Voicemail is unavailable, call the mailbox by holding 1 or dialling *86 and delete messages through the audio menu instead. - Give it a few minutes and have somebody test-call you. Carrier platforms do not always release the space instantly. - If the mailbox reports full straight after you have emptied it, ask the carrier to reset it — the count on their platform has desynchronised from what your phone shows. ## Which carriers does this apply to? | Published for | any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular | | Type | iOS setting | | Good to know | Capacity and retention periods differ by carrier and plan. Only the carrier can raise the limit or extend retention. | _Screenshot: The Secret Codes detail screen shows the steps, the carriers and an Open in Phone button._ ## Related fix iphone phone problems - [Voicemail Messages Never Arrive](/blog/voicemail-messages-never-arrive-iphone/) - [Visual Voicemail Stuck Loading](/blog/visual-voicemail-stuck-loading-iphone/) - [Calls Go Straight To Voicemail](/blog/calls-go-straight-to-voicemail-iphone/) - [eSIM Activation Failed](/blog/esim-activation-failed-iphone/) - [Blue Bubbles Turned Green](/blog/blue-bubbles-turned-green-iphone/) - [A Line Shows No SIM](/blog/a-line-shows-no-sim-iphone/) See all [fix iphone phone problems](/blog/iphone-codes/fix-iphone-problems/) or [every category of iPhone codes](/blog/iphone-codes/). ## How Secret Codes helps Secret Codes keeps this and every other entry a search away. Pick your carrier once and each entry says whether it is published for your line. You can save favourites, add a private note, and record whether a code worked on your line. This entry is part of Secret Codes Pro. **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier** is free on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322 ## FAQ ### What should I do about Voicemail Is Full? Callers are told your mailbox cannot accept messages. Every carrier mailbox has a fixed capacity, counted in number of messages and in total minutes. ### What else should I know about Voicemail Is Full? Once it is reached the platform stops accepting new ones and plays a mailbox-full announcement to your callers, so this fails silently from your side — you get no warning. The confusing part on iPhone is deletion. ### What are the steps for Voicemail Is Full? 1. Open the Phone app and tap Voicemail. Delete messages you no longer need. 2. Scroll to the bottom of the list, open Deleted Messages, and tap Clear All. Until you do this the messages can still count against your mailbox. 3. If Visual Voicemail is unavailable, call the mailbox by holding 1 or dialling *86 and delete messages through the audio menu instead. 4. Give it a few minutes and have somebody test-call you. Carrier platforms do not always release the space instantly. 5. If the mailbox reports full straight after you have emptied it, ask the carrier to reset it — the count on their platform has desynchronised from what your phone shows. ### Where do I find Voicemail Is Full? Mostly in the Settings app, following the steps on this page in order. ### Is there a dial code for Voicemail Is Full? No keypad code is listed for it. The way to do it is: Fix. ### Which carriers does Voicemail Is Full work on? It is published for any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular. Capacity and retention periods differ by carrier and plan. Only the carrier can raise the limit or extend retention. ### Is there anything to watch out for with Voicemail Is Full? Clearing deleted voicemails is permanent. Save anything you need — a recording you may want later should be exported before you empty the list. ### Does Voicemail Is Full work on Android phones too? These steps are for iPhone. Android phones have their own menus. ### Will Voicemail Is Full work outside the US? The iPhone steps stay the same, although some features depend on your carrier and region. ### What if Voicemail Is Full does not work on my iPhone? Check that it applies to your carrier first, because carriers decide which services they offer and can change them. If it should apply to your line, contact your carrier. ### What is related to Voicemail Is Full? Voicemail Messages Never Arrive. Callers leave messages you never receive a notification for. ### What else is in this category? Visual Voicemail Stuck Loading. The voicemail tab spins but never lists your messages. ## Sources - [Apple Support: SOS, No Service or Searching on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/en-us/120000) - [Apple Support: iPhone User Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/welcome/ios)