How do I restore voicemails from an iTunes or Finder backup?

Voicemails on an iPhone are typically stored within the device’s storage and backed up when you create a full device backup using iTunes (on Windows or older macOS versions) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later). Methods to restore iPhone voicemail from backup can vary depending on the type of backup you have available. If you have lost important voicemails, restoring from a backup may help you recover them.

Steps to Restore Voicemails from an iTunes or Finder Backup

Step 1: Verify the Backup Contains Voicemails

Before restoring, ensure that your most recent iTunes or Finder backup includes the voicemails you need. Keep in mind that this method will restore the entire backup, replacing all existing data on your iPhone.

Step 2: Disable “Find My iPhone”

Apple requires that Find My iPhone be turned off before restoring a backup. To do this:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

2. Tap [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone.

3. Toggle Find My iPhone off and enter your Apple ID password if prompted.

Step 3: Connect Your iPhone to the Computer

1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later).

2. If prompted, tap Trust This Computer on your iPhone.

Step 4: Locate Your Backup in iTunes or Finder

• iTunes: Open iTunes and select your device from the top-left corner.

• Finder: Open Finder, select your iPhone under “Locations” in the left sidebar.

Step 5: Restore from Backup

1. Click Restore Backup.

2. Select the backup that contains your voicemails (check the date to ensure it's the correct one).

3. Click Restore and wait for the process to complete. Your iPhone will restart once the backup is restored.

Step 6: Check for Restored Voicemails

Once the restoration is complete:

1. Open the Phone app.

2. Navigate to the Voicemail tab.

3. Check if your voicemails have been successfully restored.

Important Considerations

• Restoring a backup will overwrite all current data on your iPhone, so make sure to back up recent files before proceeding.

• Voicemails are usually stored on the carrier’s servers. If they are missing after restoring, contact your carrier to see if they can retrieve them.

• If you use Visual Voicemail, ensure that your carrier supports it and that it is properly set up after the restore.

Conclusion

Restoring voicemails from an iTunes or Finder backup is a reliable method if you have a backup that includes them. However, because this process replaces all data on your iPhone, it’s essential to verify the backup and take necessary precautions beforehand. If you do not want to overwrite your entire device, consider using third-party backup extraction tools to recover specific data.