Why Am I Not Receiving Verification Texts? – Here is the Solution!

Imagine you’re trying to log in to your mobile banking app to pay a bill, but the verification code you need never arrives. All you can do is wait for that verification code to arrive⏰.

You’re stuck, frustrated, and don’t know what to do next😕!

You’re not alone. Who is stuck in this kind of situation? Many smartphone users face the issue of not receiving a verification text💬.

So, what can you do in this situation?

In this article📄, we will discuss why you are not receiving verification texts and how to fix this.

So, let’s get into it🚀.

What are Verification codes?

Verification codes are Short code SMS with special numbers or letters. These verification codes are used when you try to log in or confirm your identity with the apps or services.

You get these verification codes when you sign up, log in, or confirm your identity by one-time password (OTP) on social media, trusted websites, or banking apps. This is a security factor that is used in two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your data and information safe through two-way communication.

Why am I not receiving text verification codes?

When you attempt to complete a text verification while logging in, but the code is not displaying? It can be due to various reasons. It can be due to different phone settings, network connection, or even due to your mobile carrier.

Here are some of the reasons for not receiving text verification:

Network issues or a poor signal

A poor network connection is often the reason you don’t receive verification texts. If your phone has low coverage, it may not be able to receive messages, which include verification code texts as well.

This could happen in a fringe area, like a basement or rural area, when you have weak coverage. If your phone shows bars, you may still be out of range of the network connection, making it impossible to receive the code texts.

Carrier restrictions

Some phone companies block or delay messages that come from short numbers. Many services use these short numbers to send verification texts. If that happens, you might not get these verification codes on your phone.

This often happens if the carrier has a spam filter to reduce spam calls or if you have a limited mobile plan. Some phone carriers also block messages from certain services by default.

Internet issues

Some apps and services might send verification codes using your internet instead of regular text messages. If your internet connection is weak or not working well, these messages might not reach your phone.

This is especially true for apps that use Wi-Fi or mobile data for sending messages. A weak connection can cause delays or problems in getting these messages.

Opt-Out from Previous Messages

If you said “STOP” to a service before, you might have chosen not to get verification code texts. This means you won’t receive those texts anymore from that sender.

Even if you try again, the system might still think you don’t want to get messages from them. It could completely stop the messages.

So, when you try to get a code, the system will not send any messages to your Number.

Incorrect phone number or country code

If you enter the wrong phone number or country code, the verification code will go to the wrong phone. This is an easy mistake to make, and it can stop you from getting the code.

Just one wrong digit can send the code to a different number, so check your number before you send it.

If DND mode/airplane/ focus is on

If your device has turned on features like DND mode, Airplane mode, or focus mode, it can also stop you from receiving verification codes.

All modes mute calls and texts, so if you have one turned on, you may not even know that the message has arrived. Mostly, calls and messages do not show up if these features are turned on.

If your message storage is full

If your phone is out of memory, it can’t save new messages. This can stop you from getting verification codes, even if your mobile network is functioning well.

Most phones will stop receiving new messages until you delete enough old messages to make space for new ones.

If you have blocked the sender

If you have blocked the number that sends the verification code to your phone, you will not get those code texts anymore.

This might have happened by mistake, or because you got spam texts before. Once the number is blocked, your phone won’t let you know or show any alerts from that number, even if it tries to contact you.

SMS filtering by Carrier

Some phone companies use SMS filters that might accidentally block texts with verification codes. These filters check for certain patterns in messages and may block ones that seem suspicious, even if they are safe.

This happens more often with short code messages, which are usually used for one-time passwords and logins.

Service Provider’s Geographic Restrictions

Some services cannot send verification text messages to certain places. If your phone number is from a different country, you might not get these messages due to location rules.

This usually occurs with the people people with international numbers or those trying to use services outside their home area.

How to fix the issues if you’re not receiving verification texts?

If you’re not receiving verification codes, you can easily solve the issue if you know the cause. It can be caused due to different reasons. If you have poropwer idea, you can solve these issues on your own.

Here are some of the ideas on how to fix the issues if you’re not getting verification texts.

Check Your Mobile Signal Strength

If you’re not getting verification code texts on your iPhone or Android, first check your network signal. If the signal is weak, try moving to a place with a stronger signal.

Also, make sure you have a good network provider. Sometimes, a simple solution can really help.

Verify Your Phone Number and Country Code

One small mistake in your phone number or country code can send the verification code texts to someone else.

Here is how you can be sure that you have entered the correct phone number:

• Make sure you typed your phone number correctly, and check every digit.
• If you’re entering a number manually, ensure the correct country code (like +1 for the USA, +44 for the UK) is selected.
• If you’re using auto-fill, re-enter the number to be sure.

Restart Your Phone

Sometimes, your phone’s operating system requires a soft reset to work out any glitches or background errors that might be preventing some messages, specifically verification code texts, from coming through.

Rebooting your phone is a good way to eliminate these issues, and it reboots you back to the app network.

Here is how to reboot your phone:

For Android:

• Press and hold the Power button (or Power + Volume Down on some devices).

• When the menu pops up, click restart or reboot

• Wait for the phone to turn off and back on automatically.

For iPhone:

• Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until you see the power slider.

• Swipe the slider to turn off the phone.

Clear Your SMS Inbox

If your inbox is full of messages, then you may also not be able to receive verification codes or any new messages. If the storage of messages is full, then your phone might not be able to receive new messages, including verification codes.

Clearing some space can help resolve this issue.

Here’s what you can do:

• Delete old text messages that you no longer need.
• Focus on removing messages with large media files or spam messages that are taking up unnecessary space.
• After clearing some space, wait a few minutes and try requesting the verification code again.

Disable Do Not Disturb (DND), Airplane Mode, and Focus Modes

If you have enabled DND, Airplane, or focus mode on your device, it will stop you from receiving any messages.

Here’s how you can check if these features are enabled:

On Android:

Turn Off Airplane Mode:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
• Look for the Airplane icon.
• If it’s ON (usually highlighted), tap it once to turn it OFF.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb:

• Swipe down again to see the full Quick Settings panel.
• Look for the Do Not Disturb (DND) icon (usually a circle with a line).
• Tap it to turn it OFF.

On iPhone:

Turn Off Airplane Mode:

• Open Control Center:
  • Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and newer).
  • Swipe up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier).
• Tap the Airplane icon to disable it (it should no longer be orange).

Turn Off Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode:

• Open the Control Center (same as above).
• Tap the Focus or Do Not Disturb button.
• If a focus mode is active (like Sleep, Work, etc.), tap it again to turn it OFF.
• Or go to Settings > Focus, then tap the mode and turn it off or adjust its settings.

Check Your Blocked Numbers List

If you have blocked the contact that needs to send a verification code, then you will not receive it. Until you unblock the contact, you will not receive notifications about messages or calls from that number.

This can happen unintentionally, especially if you’ve previously marked unknown numbers as spam or used third-party blocking apps.

Here’s how you can unblock the contacts if you have blocked them:

On Android:

• Open the Phone app.
• Tap the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
• Go to Settings or Call Settings.
• Tap on Blocked numbers.

Steps to Unblock:

• If you see a number that might be from a service or a short code (like 5- or 6-digit numbers), tap the X or Unblock option next to it.

Note: Some Android phones also have blocking settings in the Messages app under spam or blocked.

On iPhone:

• Open Settings.
• Scroll down and tap Phone (or Messages if you think it’s blocked there).
• Tap Blocked Contacts.

Steps to Unblock:

• Swipe left on any contact or number, then tap Unblock.

Pro tip: You can also go to the Messages app > tap the message from the number > info icon > and unblock directly if it shows up as a blocked sender.

Check for SMS Filtering or Blocking Apps

It is possible that verification texts are being blocked or filtered by your phone’s spam settings, or third-party apps such as Truecaller and antivirus applications, which may have classified verification messages as spam and, as a result, blocked or moved them to a separate folder.

Check the spam or junk folder in your messaging app, and if you use any sort of call or SMS filtering application, try temporarily turning them off.

On iPhones, check also in Messages the “Unknown Senders” section. After you have disabled your filters, try requesting the code again.

Update Your Operating System and Messaging App

Older versions of software can occasionally cause problems with receiving verification texts. Bugs or compatibility issues with your phone’s operating system or the messaging app you are using could potentially block or delay incoming messages.

To be safe, you should check to ensure that both your phone’s software and the messaging app you are using are updated to their most recent versions.

Refer to your phone’s settings to check for system updates, and go to the app store to update your messaging app. With that done, restart your phone and try requesting a verification code once again.

Opt in to the message if you opted out previously

If you have ever responded with “STOP” or a word similar to that for a service, you could have opted out of receiving messages from that number. Consequently, future verification codes from the same service will not be delivered to your phone.

The fix is to try sending a message like “START,” “YES,” or “UNSTOP” to the same number that you opted out. This usually re-enables messages. After opting back in, wait a few minutes, and then request that verification code again.

Wait and try again later

If you are not getting a verification code, you may have asked for it too many times in a short period. Many services have rules that stop sending codes for a while if there are too many requests quickly. This helps prevent spam and unauthorized access.

Problems with your internet or too many people using the service can also cause delays. In this case, it is best to wait a little before trying again. Waiting allows the system to reset and will remove any temporary blocks. After waiting, you can ask for the verification code again.

Contact customer support

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and still don’t get verification codes, you should reach out to 24/7 customer support. They can help you with problems related to your account, like wrong contact info or issues with text delivery.

For example, Google suggests contacting support if you can’t access your backup phone or notice strange sign-ins. Microsoft recommends getting in touch if your account is locked and you haven’t received a verification code.

When you contact support, be ready to use account recovery methods and share any details that might help them understand your problem.

Conclusion

Not receiving a verification code while signing up for new platforms or a banking application, when needed by most, can be irritating and frustrating. It can be due to various reasons such as network issues, incorrect settings, or carrier restrictions.

Yet, you can resolve these issues by simple troubleshooting steps. You can check whether you have dialed the correct phone number, or DND, Airplane mode is on, or unblock the contacts of you blocked previously.

If these steps don’t work, consider reaching out to your service provider or the platform’s customer support for further assistance.

FAQs

Why am I not receiving verification codes on my phone?

Common reasons include weak network signals, incorrect phone numbers, enabled Do Not Disturb (DND) or Airplane mode, a full SMS inbox, or blocked numbers.

How can I check if my phone number is correct?

Verify your number by navigating to your phone’s settings:

• Android: Settings > About phone > Status > My phone number.
• iPhone: Settings > Phone > My Number.

What should I do if I have blocked the sender?

Unblock the sender by going to your phone’s settings:

• Android: Messages app > Settings > Blocked numbers.
• iPhone: Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts.

What if I previously opted out of receiving messages?

Send a message like “START,” “YES,” or “UNSTOP” to the same number you opted out from to re-enable messages.