iOS · iPhone & iPad
Remove the Red Badge from the iPhone Phone App
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
The red badge usually marks a missed call or unheard voicemail. Open Recents and Voicemail, play or delete unheard items, then refresh notifications if the badge remains.
Review missed calls
Open Phone > Recents and view the missed-call list. Opening the list normally clears its badge count.
Check voicemail
Open Phone > Voicemail, listen to new messages, and delete unwanted voicemail. Carrier voicemail may require calling the voicemail service.
Restart the Phone app
Close and reopen Phone, then restart the iPhone if the badge does not refresh.
Refresh badge permission
Open Settings > Notifications > Phone, turn Badges off, restart, then turn Badges on again.
Ask the carrier
If voicemail shows no new item but the badge returns, contact the carrier to reset the voicemail waiting indicator.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If the badge remains, check voicemail through the carrier and Phone app, then restart. Do not delete call history or reset the iPhone merely to clear a badge.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.