Instagram not sending SMS code? Here's how you can try to fix it

Instagram has some security measures in place to ensure hackers and scammers can’t access your account. Two-factor authentication is one of them, but sometimes it doesn’t work. Today, we’ll show you what you can do when Instagram is not sending an SMS code.

Editor’s note: We used a Google Pixel 7 running Android 14 and an Apple iPhone 12 Mini running iOS 17.4.1 to formulate these instructions. Some steps may differ depending on your device and software version.

Check your Instagram contact info

Have you changed your phone number after the creation of your Instagram account? There is a chance Instagram still has your old number. Here’s how you can check.

1. Launch the Instagram app.
2. Tap on the Profile tab.
3. Hit the three-line menu button in the top-right corner.
4. Hit Accounts Center.
5. Pick Personal details.
6. Go into Contact info.
7. Check if your phone number is current. If not, delete it and select Add new contact > Add mobile number.

Make sure SMS authentication is turned on

Do you even have SMS two-factor authentication enabled?

1. Launch the Instagram app.
2. Tap on the Profile tab.
3. Hit the three-line menu button in the top-right corner.
4. Select Accounts Center.
5. Tap on Password and security.
6. Pick Two-factor authentication.
7. Select your Instagram account.
8. Hit SMS or WhatsApp and follow instructions to finish the set-up.

Check if Instagram is down

If Instagram is down, you will have a hard time getting your SMS code. In fact, you may have issues doing anything on Instagram. We always recommend DownDetector.com. This crowd-sourced website collects user reports and lets you know when a service is down. If Instagram servers are running into problems, all you can do is wait until the team fixes them.

Instagram may have blocked you

Instagram takes security measures seriously, and will block you if it determines you are doing anything you shouldn’t. This may include using bots, creating multiple spam accounts, or violating community guidelines. Or if it thinks you are being hacked. This may also happen if you use a phone number excessively to get codes, as it poses a security threat.

Instagram may have blocked your number. This is rare, but possible. More commonly, Instagram opts to block devices via IP address. In either case, you won’t be able to get an SMS code. You can try switching to another phone number, if you have one. If it’s an IP ban, you can try changing the IP using a VPN. That said, Instagram is also known to block VPNs and proxy connections.

Do you have Instagram’s number blocked?

Oddly enough, there are a lot of online reports of people finding out that the phone number Instagram uses to send SMS codes is blocked on their devices. Many of them claim they have no recollection of actually blocking this number, too. It’s an odd phenomenon, but maybe it was done by accident. In either case, you can check if you have the number blocked.

We have a guide on how to block phone numbers. Follow the same steps, but select to unblock them at the end. This number used to be 32665, but apparently, it has changed to 32099.

Check your phone settings

Sometimes, we change settings by accident, or we forget that we did so. Go through anything that will affect SMS. Make sure Airplane Mode is off. Ensure mobile data is enabled, as some SMS apps need it.

How to turn off Airplane Mode on Android:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Network & internet.
3. Make sure Airplane mode is toggled off.

How to turn off Airplane mode on iPhone:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Toggle off Airplane Mode.

How to enable mobile data on Android:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Network & internet.
3. Tap on SIMs.
4. Select your main line.
5. Toggle on Mobile data. If you’re not in your market of coverage, you can also enable Roaming. Just keep in mind this may incur extra fees, depending on your plan.

How to enable cellular data on iPhone:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Cellular.
3. Toggle on Cellular Data.
4. You can also go into Cellular Data Options or tap on your SIM, and enable Data Roaming. Just be aware this may incur extra fees, depending on your plan.

If nothing works, our best advice would be to contact Instagram support.

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