Why your verification code didn’t arrive

The three causes, and how to tell them apart

What to do, in order

These hold for any number, your own or one you rent.

1. Look for an error first

   If a message appeared when you entered the number, the app most likely refused it and sent nothing, and resending won’t help. Whether the app refuses the type of number at all is in our table of what each app says, and why apps reject VoIP numbers explains the check behind it.

2. Check the number as entered

   Telegram and Steam ask for international format, with the + and country code first. Signal says to leave out any leading zeros. A doubled country code or the wrong country in the dropdown makes it a different number.

3. Check where the app sent it

   Telegram may send a login code to the chat named “Telegram” on a device where you’re already signed in. Snapchat says you can’t always choose the method. Instagram and Snapchat can send codes by WhatsApp, and OpenAI does so in a listed set of countries that doesn’t include the US. WhatsApp, Signal, LinkedIn and Snapchat all offer to call you with the code instead.

4. Wait before asking again

   X asks you to wait at least two minutes. Claude says to select “Try again” only after five minutes, and Airbnb lets you resend after about a minute. Google says only the code delivered most recently is valid, so after a resend, use the newest one.

5. Stop if you’ve hit a limit

   After too many requests, LinkedIn sends nothing until 24 hours after your last attempt, and Snapchat says to wait 24 hours. Google caps recovery-code requests per day. Microsoft warns that repeated attempts can reset a time lock, so stop trying until the wait is over.

6. Check the phone, if it’s yours

   Steam and Facebook mention a full message inbox, and Snapchat and Signal mention blocked messages from unknown senders. Google lists a provider blocking short codes as one cause, and WhatsApp’s last step is to contact your mobile provider.

7. Use another way in

   Instagram accepts a backup code when a text can’t be delivered, and Facebook lets you approve the login from a device you’re already signed in on. Check what else the app offers before you request more codes.

If you’re waiting on a number from us

The number’s page shows each text live as it arrives, with the code already pulled out. If the page is still empty, no text has reached the number, so look at the three causes above.

• Check the +1. If the form shows +1 or a US flag, type the ten digits only. If it is one box with no country, type +1 first. The US number formatter gives both forms.
• Choose text, not a call. The number receives texts only, so a code read out by voice call never arrives. Picture messages may not arrive either.
• Cancel if nothing comes. The price is held on your card, not taken, until the first text arrives or 24 hours pass. A number with no texts can be cancelled from 5 minutes to 24 hours after you buy it. We ask our supplier to cancel it; they usually accept, and the money comes back.

Questions people ask

How long should I wait for a verification code?

A few minutes. X says to wait at least two minutes before trying again, Claude says to retry only after five minutes, and Google says messages can be delayed, for example when a carrier has problems.

Why do I get codes from some apps but not others?

Each app decides which numbers it will text and how it sends codes. One may refuse your number or send its code by call or WhatsApp, while another texts the same number without trouble.

Why don’t codes arrive on a temporary or rented number?

For the same three reasons as on any number. Two weigh more on a rented one: several apps refuse VoIP or app-created numbers, and a receive-only number can’t take a code sent by voice call.

Why did my code come by WhatsApp instead of a text?

Some apps send codes by WhatsApp when they can. Instagram and Snapchat offer it, and OpenAI uses it in a listed set of countries that doesn’t include the US, so a US number gets a text from OpenAI.

Can I get a verification code by phone call instead?

Many apps offer it, including WhatsApp, Signal, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Google. Claude sends codes by text only, and OpenAI by text or WhatsApp, never by call. A receive-only number can’t take the call, so choose text if you’re using one.