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How can I get WhatsApp code by SMS?

WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app globally, with over 2 billion users worldwide. To activate WhatsApp on a new device or reactivate your account after changing your phone number, you need to enter a 6-digit verification code sent to you by WhatsApp.

This verification code is usually sent via SMS to your phone number registered with WhatsApp. However, sometimes users may face issues receiving the SMS with the code due to network problems, an invalid phone number registered, or other tech troubles.

If you are unable to get the WhatsApp verification code SMS for activation, there are a few methods you can try to troubleshoot and get the code sent to activate your WhatsApp account successfully.

Check if Your Number is Registered Properly on WhatsApp

The first thing to check is whether your phone number is registered correctly with your WhatsApp account. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Edit phone number. Verify if your phone number listed here is correct and in the right format.

Your phone number on WhatsApp should be in international format, with your country code and local number, like this: +1xxxxxxxxxx. It should not have any spaces, hyphens or parentheses. If your number is incorrectly formatted here, edit it to the right format.

Troubleshoot Your WhatsApp Number Registration

If your number is correctly formatted, you can troubleshoot further:

  • Disable two-step verification if enabled, and try requesting the code again.
  • Log out of WhatsApp and log back in with your number to re-register it.
  • Uninstall and reinstall the WhatsApp app to re-register your number afresh.
  • Try registering your number on WhatsApp using a different device and SIM card.

This will force WhatsApp to re-verify your number and send the SMS code again. If there were any errors in your number format or verification status, this will resolve them.

Check Your Network Connectivity

Network issues like poor connectivity, no signal, or internet data outage can prevent the SMS containing the WhatsApp code from reaching you. Some things you can check:

  • Make sure your phone has cellular network signal or internet data connectivity.
  • If using Wi-Fi calling, switch to the mobile network to receive the SMS.
  • Disable airplane mode if it’s switched on and reconnect to the network.
  • Retry in a location with good signal strength if you have a very weak signal.

Switching networks or moving locations can allow the SMS to be delivered if you have network-related difficulties.

Further Network Troubleshooting

For additional troubleshooting, you can try:

  • Turn your phone off and on again to refresh the network connection.
  • Remove and re-insert the SIM card to get new network settings.
  • Manually update carrier settings on your smartphone if it’s outdated.
  • Contact your carrier and check if there are any network outages in your area.

This will rule out any temporary network errors preventing you from receiving the WhatsApp verification SMS.

Check for Issues with Your SIM Card

SIM card issues can also prevent the WhatsApp code SMS from coming through. Some possibilities to check:

  • Your SIM card has expired and needs to be renewed with your carrier.
  • The SIM card is damaged or corrupted and needs replacement.
  • Your SIM card has run out of credits so SMS service is halted.
  • Cellular data on your SIM is disabled, blocking the SMS.

Try removing and reinserting the SIM card to troubleshoot. You can also test with another SIM card from a different phone number to see if it works.

Further SIM Card Troubleshooting

For additional SIM card troubleshooting steps, you can:

  • Check if your SIM card works properly for voice calls, mobile data.
  • Check your SIM card balance and recharge if you have insufficient credits.
  • Contact your carrier and check if there are any blocks or service issues with your SIM.
  • Check the SIM card slot in your phone for damage like dust, corrosion.

If you find any specific issues with your SIM card, getting a replacement can often resolve problems receiving the WhatsApp verification code over SMS.

Check SMS and Notification Settings on Your Phone

Incorrect SMS and notification settings on your Android or iOS device could also be blocking the WhatsApp code SMS. Some things to verify:

  • SMS permissions are enabled for WhatsApp in app settings.
  • Notifications are enabled for the WhatsApp app.
  • Notifications and SMS alerts are not blocked globally on your device.
  • Do Not Disturb mode is not enabled on your phone during code request.

Go through WhatsApp, OS and device notification settings to check if any configurations are blocking the verification SMS. Re-enabling notifications can fix the issue.

More SMS and Notification Troubleshooting

Additionally, you can troubleshoot your SMS and notification settings further by:

  • Checking if you receive SMS from other contacts normally.
  • Trying to request the WhatsApp code through a call instead.
  • Updating your device OS, WhatsApp or SMS/messaging app to latest version.
  • Restarting your phone to refresh any incorrect notification settings.

If the problem is with your device settings, the WhatsApp code SMS should come through after troubleshooting notifications and SMS configurations.

Check if Your Message Inbox is Full

If your phone message storage or inbox is completely full, you will be unable to receive new SMS until space is cleared. To check for this:

  • Go to your messaging or SMS app and see if the message inbox is full.
  • Look at the phone storage settings and check if message storage is completely occupied.
  • Try deleting old/unwanted messages and attachments to free up space.

Freeing up inbox space by deleting old messages can allow new SMS like the WhatsApp code to come through when unable to previously.

More Inbox Troubleshooting Steps

Some additional steps to troubleshoot a full message inbox:

  • Clear cached data and temporary files in messaging app.
  • Check if message deletion freed up phone storage space for SMS.
  • Back up messages externally then mass delete from inbox.
  • As a last resort, reset phone to factory settings to wipe message data.

When your phone message storage is completely occupied, you will have to delete messages, chats and files to start receiving SMS again normally.

Check for Third-Party App Interference

Some third party apps can block notifications and SMS on your device, preventing the WhatsApp code from coming through. Possibilities include:

  • Security apps blocking notifications or SMS as spam.
  • Cleaner apps stopping notifications and messages.
  • Antivirus falsely flagging the WhatsApp SMS as suspicious.
  • Custom ROMs with modified messaging apps or settings.

Try disabling or removing any installed third party apps that may be intercepting your messages or notifications. This can resolve issues of not getting the WhatsApp verification SMS.

More Steps to Check for Third-Party Interference

Some additional ways to check for third party app issues:

  • Boot into safe mode on Android and check if SMS works.
  • Clear app cache and data for messaging, security and cleaner apps.
  • Check app permissions and disable unnecessary SMS/notification access.
  • Update suspect third party apps in case they are buggy outdated versions.

Removing interference from third party apps can fix problems with receiving the WhatsApp code SMS for accounts that have previously activated successfully.

Contact WhatsApp Support for Assistance

If you have tried all the above troubleshooting methods extensively but are still unable to get the WhatsApp verification code SMS, you can contact WhatsApp support for help.

WhatsApp provides multiple options to get in touch with their customer care team for assistance with account verification issues:

  • File a support request form through WhatsApp settings.
  • Tweet to @WhatsAppSupport on Twitter for help.
  • Email WhatsApp support at [email protected] with your issue.
  • Check options to request a call from WhatsApp support in settings.

When you contact WhatsApp support, provide details like your phone number, screenshot of the code request error, things you have tried to troubleshoot yourself. This will help them assist you better.

Working with WhatsApp Support

Some tips when working with WhatsApp support to get your verification code issue resolved:

  • Clearly describe your problem and what help you need.
  • Cooperate with support representative for troubleshooting steps.
  • Provide any information or debugging logs requested.
  • Ask for next steps if initial solutions don’t work.
  • Request to speak with supervisor if needed for complex issue.

Direct support from the WhatsApp team can provide customized solutions based on your specific account scenario to successfully send the SMS verification code if standard troubleshooting does not work.

Conclusion

To summarize, here are the key steps to get your WhatsApp verification code SMS if you are not receiving it for activation:

  1. Check your WhatsApp number registration and re-verify it if needed.
  2. Troubleshoot network connections and SIM card for issues.
  3. Enable notifications in device and app settings.
  4. Clear inbox space and check for third party app interference.
  5. Contact WhatsApp support if still unresolved.

Following these troubleshooting methods can help identify and fix the cause of not getting the WhatsApp verification SMS. Being persistent and patient while trying all options can eventually lead to receiving the 6-digit code successfully so you can activate your WhatsApp account.