Voicemail user interface methods and apparatus for mobile communication devices are disclosed. Voicemail notification messages corresponding to voicemail messages are received through a wireless receiver of the mobile device and voicemail message header lines corresponding to them are displayed in a message list. In one illustrative example, the mobile device provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for the end-user with visual objects corresponding to PLAY, REWIND, FAST FORWARD, SKIP BACK, SKIP FORWARD, as examples, which provides for transparency of voicemail system-specific commands. Preferably, the mobile device receives the voicemail notification messages from several different voicemail systems for consolidating such processing using this single common user interface. Each voicemail notification message preferably includes voicemail message summary information, such as a calling party identifier, a message time stamp, and message length, for use in providing the voicemail message header information in the message list. In addition, each voicemail notification message preferably includes voicemail retrieval/processing information, such as a voicemail access telephone number, a voicemail message identification number, and voicemail message processing commands, for use in providing the system interface transparency.