Getting verification codes by email instead of text
In short
- Many apps can email a code or a login link: Epic Games, Ubisoft and Poshmark send codes, and Wolt sends a login link.
- Add and confirm an email on each account now, while you can still get its texts.
- Whoever controls your email can often reset your accounts, so protect it with a strong password and two-step verification.
A text isn’t the only way to get a code. Plenty of apps can email one, which helps when you’re abroad, out of signal, or off the number you signed up with.
Apps that can email you
- Epic Games: on the two-factor screen, choose “Try another way”, then Email Verification. See Epic Games two-factor.
- Ubisoft: its 2-step verification uses email or an authenticator app. See Ubisoft 2-step verification.
- Poshmark: sends codes by text or email.
- Wolt: can send a login link to your email instead of a code to your phone.
- Spotify: if phone login keeps failing, Spotify suggests adding an email and logging in with that.
- Lazada and Mercado Libre: codes can come by email too.
Recovery emails
Some apps use email to undo a second lock rather than to log in. WhatsApp uses the email you add with two-step verification to reset a forgotten PIN, and Telegram uses a recovery email for its two-step password. See WhatsApp two-step verification.
Set it up before you need it
Add an email in each app’s account or security settings and confirm it with the link or code it sends. Do it while you still have the number: many apps text the number on the account before they’ll change anything.
When the email doesn’t come
- Check your spam, junk and promotions folders.
- Make sure the inbox isn’t full: Mercado Libre names this.
- Use the newest code. WhatsApp says its email codes expire quickly, and only the latest one works.
Guard the inbox
An inbox that receives your codes can often reset your accounts. Give it a long, unique password and turn on two-step verification, ideally with an authenticator app. Never pass on a code someone asks you for: see the verification code scam.
After a one-time number
A number from ReserveSMS receives codes for 20 minutes only. Add an email to the account straight after you sign up, so later codes have somewhere to go. See keeping an account after a temporary number.
Common questions
Can I get verification codes by email instead of text?
Often, yes. Epic Games, Ubisoft and Poshmark can email codes, Wolt can email a login link, and Spotify lets you log in with an email.
Why hasn’t my email verification code arrived?
Check spam, junk and promotions, and that your inbox isn’t full. Codes expire quickly, so use the newest one.
Should I add an email to an account I made with my phone number?
Yes, while you can still get texts on that number. It gives you another way in if the number stops working.