Signal verification code not received: what to try

Signal registers your account to a phone number, and texts or calls a code to prove it’s yours.

If the code doesn’t arrive

• Check your network isn’t blocking short-code texts. Signal names a “Shortcode Blacklist” on T-Mobile-based networks that has to be removed.
• On Android, update Signal, check its permissions, and restart the phone.
• If you use a VPN, turn it off, or make sure it lets Signal through.
• After many attempts, wait before trying again: Signal mentions an hour or a day.

Once the timer runs out, you can tap Call me for the code by voice call instead.

Registration lock and your PIN

With registration lock on, anyone registering your number on a new phone also needs your Signal PIN, so a code alone isn’t enough to take the account. Signal doesn’t know your PIN and can’t reset it. If you forget it with the lock on, you can be locked out for up to 7 days, until the lock expires.

Never share the code

Signal says never to give your verification code or PIN to anyone, even someone claiming to be from Signal. Our guide to the verification code scam explains why.

Using a one-time number

Signal needs the number again to register on a new phone, and a one-time number from ReserveSMS can’t receive codes after its 20-minute window. It also takes texts only, so choose the text code, not Call me. For a Signal account you’ll keep, a number you own is the safer choice. Get a number for Signal.

Common questions

Why isn’t Signal’s code arriving?

Often the network blocks short-code texts, or a VPN blocks Signal. Signal also limits attempts: after several, wait an hour or a day.

What is Signal’s registration lock?

A setting that asks for your Signal PIN as well as the code when your number is registered on a new phone. Signal can’t reset the PIN.

I forgot my Signal PIN. What happens?

With registration lock on, you can be locked out for up to 7 days; the lock expires after 7 days of inactivity, and then you can set a new PIN.