Anyone having problems with 2-step verification & T-Mobile (USA)?

Question

svarshavchik Author

Level 1

5 points

Anyone having problems with 2-step verification & T-Mobile (USA)?

I tried several times to get my phone authenticated. The SMS never arrives.

No problems whatsoever with getting text messages from Google's two-step verification.

Posted on Mar 23, 2013 8:45 AM

Reply

Answer 1

wcapple

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2013 6:23 AM in response to svarshavchik

Just as an additional datapoint I also have the missing SMS problem, I'm using T-Mobile via StraightTalk. Apple does not list StraightTalk as one of their supported carriers (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5593 ) so I am wondering if they are still in the process of adding carriers or if the problem is MVNO-specific. If I get any useful info from Apple support I will report back. Like the OP, no problems whatsoever with Google two-step or receiving SMS messages from other carriers.

Reply

Answer 2

jmig

Level 1

0 points

Jul 26, 2013 1:59 PM in response to svarshavchik

Randomly tried to enable 2 step verification today and I was very surprised to finally see the text message on my phone.

(I tried this every month since March and this is the first time it actually works).

Mt 2 step verification is now enabled!

Maybe you should try again now.

Reply

Answer 3

svarshavchik Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 26, 2013 6:17 PM in response to jmig

Well, tried this again. Still not working.

Your SMS verification code from Apple, did it come from a shortcode, or from an ordinary ten-digit US phone number?

Google's two-step verification messages come from unused ten-digit US phone numbers, ordinary phone numbers. It's possible that if Apple sends SMSes from shortcodes, they get blocked. I have shortcodes blocked, to avoid cramming fraud.

Reply

Answer 4

svarshavchik Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 26, 2013 7:49 PM in response to jmig

That must be it. Google's 2-factor authentication uses ordinary phone numbers, and looks like ordinary SMSes. I guess Apple's 2-factor authentication is not going to work for someone who blocked shortcodes, to avoid cramming fraud, and other premium SMS-related scams.

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 25, 2013 4:16 PM in response to svarshavchik

I'm having the same issue with my new iPhone 5s on AT&T. I had two factor turned on, but I couldn't purchase anything in the app store, so I accessed my account on my Mac and turned off the feature. Now, I can't get the code to turn it back on again. Nothing is ever received on my phone.

😠

Reply

Answer 6

yohdaddy

Level 1

9 points

Sep 10, 2014 3:31 PM in response to svarshavchik

I had the same problem with Sprint.

Carriers will disable short code messaging by default to prevent spam.

The Apple ID verification SMS will be sent from a caller id like 504-72.

So you have to ask your carrier to allow toll-free short codes to come through on your account.

Then I was able to get the 2 step authentication verification SMS.

Reply

Answer 7

Nov 23, 2015 4:17 PM in response to yohdaddy

The blocking of toll-free short codes has been holding me back from turning on 2 factor authentication on multiple sites. A quick call to Sprint fixed everything. I wish I'd found this post months ago.

Reply

Answer 8

Mar 23, 2013 12:09 PM in response to svarshavchik

I am not receiving the SMS either, but I am on Sprint.

Reply

Answer 9

jmig

Level 1

0 points

Mar 23, 2013 8:24 PM in response to svarshavchik

Same here with Verizon.

I had the Apple support this afternoon for like an hour but they told me they can't do anything as they don't have yet the tools to track those issues

Reply