iPhone 17 Pro Max - Can't Delete Voice Message

When I try to delete a voice message on my iPhone 17 Pro Max the message isn't deleted. The trash can icon has a slash through it - but the message remains playable. I didn't expect a $1600 iPhone to be this janky.

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Aug 21, 2026 9:49 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 21, 2026 12:25 PM

What you’re seeing is normal, but the icon means the opposite of delete. The voicemail has already been deleted and is sitting in the Phone app’s Deleted Messages area, where it remains playable until it is permanently removed. The slashed trash can button is Restore/Undelete.


Scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll find the Deleted VM folder. Delete VM’s permanently by swiping left.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 21, 2026 12:25 PM in response to silver_mica

What you’re seeing is normal, but the icon means the opposite of delete. The voicemail has already been deleted and is sitting in the Phone app’s Deleted Messages area, where it remains playable until it is permanently removed. The slashed trash can button is Restore/Undelete.


Scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll find the Deleted VM folder. Delete VM’s permanently by swiping left.

iPhone 17 Pro Max - Can't Delete Voice Message

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