You're trying to sign in, but the verification code never arrives. Cellular problems, filtered messages, and request limits all need different fixes. Start with a quick text-message test, then use the checks below to find your code or get into your account another way.
Check the number and test an ordinary text
These checks separate a phone-wide texting problem from trouble with one service.
Check the destination number on the sign-in screen, including the country code, when the service shows the full number. Microsoft shows only the last two digits at sign-in; to check the full number, sign in to its Security basics page and select Update info. Correct mistakes before requesting another code.
For Signal registration, enter the full international number without its domestic leading zero.
Check your cellular signal and turn off Airplane Mode if it's enabled.
Confirm that your carrier plan supports SMS and that your account or prepaid balance is in order.
Ask someone to send you an ordinary text. If it doesn't arrive, use the cellular connection checks below.
Open your messaging app and look for the code. A missing alert or failed automatic code entry doesn't prove the text is missing.
Look in filtered and blocked messages
If ordinary texts arrive but verification codes don't, check for a hidden message or blocked sender. Follow the instructions for the app that handles your texts.
On iPhone, open Messages > Filter button > Unknown Senders.
Open the verification conversation.
Tap Mark as Known.
Next, check Messages > Filter button > Spam on iOS 26 or later.
Open a misplaced verification message.
Tap Not Spam.
Choose the option that moves the conversation back to your main conversation list.
Review Messages > Filter button > Manage Filtering for Screen Unknown Senders and Text Message Filter, including installed filtering extensions. Available controls depend on your region and extensions.
Look in the Transactions and Promotions folders, too.
In Google Messages, open your profile photo or icon > More options > Spam & blocked. Some layouts show Spam & blocked directly under the profile menu.
Select the affected sender.
Tap Unblock.
For a message incorrectly marked as spam, tap Report not spam on its suspected spam warning to let Google and your carrier know it isn't spam.
Give repeated code requests a break
Already requested several codes? Stop when the service displays a request limit or temporary block. More requests won't skip the waiting period.
For Google Account recovery-code request limits, wait 24 hours before trying again. Samsung temporarily blocks text and voice verification after too many attempts and recommends waiting at least 24 hours before trying again.
For a Microsoft temporary block, wait 24 hours before retrying. If the block remains, allow more time, up to one week, without repeatedly requesting codes.
If several Google codes arrive, use the newest one; only the most recently requested code works. Each service sets its own cooldown; there's no single waiting period for every account.
If the code still doesn't arrive after the cooldown, try an already configured verification alternative or ask your carrier to investigate short-code delivery.
Reconnect the phone when other texts fail too
Use these checks when ordinary texts also fail or your phone has a cellular-service problem.
- 1.Reconnect to the network. On iPhone, open Settings, turn Airplane Mode on for at least 15 seconds, then turn it off. On Pixel, open Settings > Network & Internet and turn Airplane mode on, then off.
- 2.Enable the line that receives your codes. On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular, select that line, and enable Turn On This Line. On Pixel, open Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs, select your carrier, and enable Use SIM.
- 3.Restart the phone. On a Face ID iPhone, hold a volume button and the side button until the power slider appears. Drag the slider, wait 30 seconds, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. On an iPhone SE second or third generation, hold the side button alone to bring up the slider, then follow the same shutdown and restart steps. On Pixel, power off, wait 30 seconds, and power on.
- 4.On iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi and open Settings > General > About. Accept a carrier-settings update if offered.
Ask your carrier about missing short codes
This addresses carrier-side blocks and account problems beyond your phone's settings.
Contact your carrier about the missing verification texts, identifying the affected sender or service.
Ask support to check for a short-code delivery block and remove it.
Mention any recent number transfer. Texting doesn't always work immediately after a carrier change, and there's no universal completion time.
If delivery remains unavailable after the transfer, ask the receiving carrier to investigate.
On a standard monthly Verizon plan, have the Account Owner or Account Manager open the Blocks page in My Verizon. With Verizon Family, check the Verizon Family app instead.
Remove an applicable blocked number or domain.
Contact Verizon support if you can't identify the block.
For an eligible AT&T wireless account, enter *3282# in the phone's dial pad.
Place the call to request a usage text. A missing usage text helps identify a delivery or blocking problem; receiving it doesn't prove every verification sender works.
With T-Mobile DIGITS, check the phone containing your primary SIM. Most short codes don't appear on DIGITS companion surfaces, and T-Mobile says short-code messages are unavailable while overseas.
If you previously sent STOP to an affected Twilio toll-free sender in the United States or Canada, text START or UNSTOP to that same number.
Request a fresh code after resubscribing.
For other senders, follow the business's resubscription instructions. Those keywords aren't a universal fix.
If all incoming texts remain unavailable, ask the carrier to check coverage, outages, and account status.
For an iPhone with a missing cellular line, ask the carrier to investigate SIM or eSIM activation. Keep the eSIM installed during troubleshooting.
Restore alerts when the code is already there
Muted conversations and disabled notifications explain a code sitting in your inbox while your phone stays quiet.
On iPhone, open Settings > Notifications > Messages.
Enable Allow Notifications.
For a muted conversation, open it in Messages.
Tap the contact icon.
Turn off Hide Alerts.
To check Focus, open Control Center > Focus.
Tap the active Focus to turn it off. This restores notifications without changing SMS delivery.
In Google Messages, open your profile icon > Messages settings > Notifications.
Enable Incoming messages.
On Pixel, swipe down to open Quick Settings.
Turn off the active Do Not Disturb or other notification mode.
If Phone Link displays Sensitive notification content hidden, read the message directly on your Android phone. No supported Phone Link switch reveals those blocked notifications.
Use another way to get into your account
For an Apple Account, select Didn't Get a Code? or Can't get to your devices?, then choose a text or phone call to a trusted number. With a trusted Apple device, tap Allow on the sign-in notification and enter its displayed code.
For Google, select Try another way or I can't do this, then choose an offered method you've already configured, such as a backup code, passkey, security key, or another signed-in phone. Also check an already signed-in phone for a Google prompt, which requires internet access.
For Microsoft, choose another verification method already connected to your account, such as an alternate email address. For Samsung, select Didn't get the verification code? > Verify with backup code if you have a backup code.
Open your enrolled authenticator and use its current code if that method is configured; Google Authenticator generates codes without cellular service or internet. Installing it alone won't recover an account. If none of your configured methods is accessible, use the service's account-recovery process; for a work or school account, contact your administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning on Premium SMS access fix missing verification codes?
Premium SMS access controls sending to chargeable short codes, including replies. It isn't a general fix for incoming verification texts.
Can I receive verification codes on a VoIP number?
Eligibility depends on the service. Microsoft doesn't allow VoIP numbers to be added for sign-in or verification codes. Use an eligible mobile number or another supported verification method for that account.
Should I factory reset my phone if one service's codes never arrive?
No. A factory reset erases the phone and isn't a targeted fix for one sender's missing codes. Reserve it for persistent, broader device failures after other troubleshooting, and back up the phone and preserve authenticator access first.
Can Messages for web receive a code when my phone cannot?
No. Google Messages for web depends on working message delivery to the phone. Apple text forwarding also requires the iPhone to receive the text.