Unable to receive OTPs from Microsoft and Amazon after iOS 18.3.1 update

Since the latest IOS, I have been unable to receive OTP’s from Microsoft and Amazon. Amazon have now closed my account as I cannot login. Can anyone help me get OTP’s again please? Getting desperate as I can’t access my Microsoft account either



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 13 mini, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 1, 2025 5:46 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 1, 2025 7:21 AM

You may not have an SMS plan (Domestic & International) enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc. does not provide SMS services.



For OTPs (One-Time Passwords):

  • How they’re usually sent: OTPs are often sent via SMS.
  • Requirement: Because they rely on SMS, you do need an active SMS plan on your SIM card to receive them. If your SIM isn’t active or your plan doesn’t support SMS, you won’t get the OTP.
  • Other delivery methods: Sometimes, OTPs can also be sent through emailpush notifications, or authentication apps, but SMS is the most common.


For Verification Codes:

  • How they’re sent: Verification codes can be sent through multiple channels:
    • SMS (requiring an SMS plan)
    • Email (no SMS plan needed)
    • App-based authenticators like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator (no SMS plan needed)
    • Push notifications to a trusted device (no SMS plan needed)
  • Requirement: Verification codes don’t always require an SMS plan, since they can be delivered through other internet-based methods.


In short:

  • If the verification code is sent by SMS: You need an SMS plan.
  • If it’s sent by email, app, or push notification: No SMS plan required.


Add the email account that you use for Amazon and Microsoft.



Which email account are you referring to? Google, iCloud, AOL, Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo or any Other (Refer to the pic )below




  1. Is this your corporate iPhone? Then please contact the system administrator of your corporate
  2. If it is your personal device, in that case, do you have any profile installed by your corporate/organisation/enterprise/School Management?
    1. Erase the profile added by you If you have installed a profile on your own --> Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone - Apple ...
    2. Or please contact the system administrator of the organisation who provided the profile to you



The iOS version itself doesn’t directly affect whether you receive OTPs or verification codes. But there are a few exceptions and features related to iOS that can come into play:


  • Auto-fill for OTPs:
    • iOS 12 and later: iOS introduced the feature where OTPs sent via SMS automatically appear as suggestions above the keyboard. This makes it faster to enter them, but it doesn’t affect receiving the SMS itself.
  • Verification Codes in Passwords:
    • iOS 15 and later: You can set up Verification Codes (like 2FA codes) directly in the built-in Passwords section in Settings. These codes are generated through an authenticator-like method and don’t rely on SMS at all.
  • Apple ID Verification Codes:
    • When signing into an Apple device, Apple sends a Verification Code to a trusted Apple device via iCloud Push Notification. This doesn’t need an SMS plan — it just requires internet access and an updated iOS version for compatibility.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 1, 2025 7:21 AM in response to JohnT308

You may not have an SMS plan (Domestic & International) enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc. does not provide SMS services.



For OTPs (One-Time Passwords):

  • How they’re usually sent: OTPs are often sent via SMS.
  • Requirement: Because they rely on SMS, you do need an active SMS plan on your SIM card to receive them. If your SIM isn’t active or your plan doesn’t support SMS, you won’t get the OTP.
  • Other delivery methods: Sometimes, OTPs can also be sent through emailpush notifications, or authentication apps, but SMS is the most common.


For Verification Codes:

  • How they’re sent: Verification codes can be sent through multiple channels:
    • SMS (requiring an SMS plan)
    • Email (no SMS plan needed)
    • App-based authenticators like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator (no SMS plan needed)
    • Push notifications to a trusted device (no SMS plan needed)
  • Requirement: Verification codes don’t always require an SMS plan, since they can be delivered through other internet-based methods.


In short:

  • If the verification code is sent by SMS: You need an SMS plan.
  • If it’s sent by email, app, or push notification: No SMS plan required.


Add the email account that you use for Amazon and Microsoft.



Which email account are you referring to? Google, iCloud, AOL, Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo or any Other (Refer to the pic )below




  1. Is this your corporate iPhone? Then please contact the system administrator of your corporate
  2. If it is your personal device, in that case, do you have any profile installed by your corporate/organisation/enterprise/School Management?
    1. Erase the profile added by you If you have installed a profile on your own --> Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone - Apple ...
    2. Or please contact the system administrator of the organisation who provided the profile to you



The iOS version itself doesn’t directly affect whether you receive OTPs or verification codes. But there are a few exceptions and features related to iOS that can come into play:


  • Auto-fill for OTPs:
    • iOS 12 and later: iOS introduced the feature where OTPs sent via SMS automatically appear as suggestions above the keyboard. This makes it faster to enter them, but it doesn’t affect receiving the SMS itself.
  • Verification Codes in Passwords:
    • iOS 15 and later: You can set up Verification Codes (like 2FA codes) directly in the built-in Passwords section in Settings. These codes are generated through an authenticator-like method and don’t rely on SMS at all.
  • Apple ID Verification Codes:
    • When signing into an Apple device, Apple sends a Verification Code to a trusted Apple device via iCloud Push Notification. This doesn’t need an SMS plan — it just requires internet access and an updated iOS version for compatibility.


Mar 1, 2025 7:12 AM in response to JohnT308

It's not always the iOS update's fault!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.



Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!



Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.



iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.


Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.


Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.



See what each update does: About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...



Mar 1, 2025 7:49 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you for that very long and detailed answer. Just to let you know I was receiving OTP’s a few weeks ago, until the IOS update. It’s my own iPhone and my email provider is live.co.uk which I view online or through Outlook.


On the various screens that require the OTP, there is no option to receive it by email only SMS. I am receiving SMS’s just not these OTP codes.


thanks ☺️

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Unable to receive OTPs from Microsoft and Amazon after iOS 18.3.1 update

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