X (Twitter) Verification Code Not Received? 8 Fixes

X (Twitter) code not arriving? Check the number, use email instead, and note that text-message 2FA is for Premium only. 8 fixes that work.

X, formerly Twitter, sends a code when you sign up with a phone number, add a number, or log in with two-factor authentication. Since 2023, text-message two-factor is only for X Premium subscribers; everyone else uses an authenticator app or security key.

Check these first (30 seconds)

• Country code. Pick the country and enter the number without a leading 0.
• Email option. You can sign up or confirm with an email address instead.
• Two-factor method. Without Premium, X login codes come from an authenticator app.
• Spam and filtered texts. Check spam or "unknown senders".

What X's message means

8 fixes, in order

1. Re-enter the number. Check the country and digits.
2. Resend once. Wait for the timer first.
3. Use email instead. Choose "Use email instead" on sign-up.
4. Open your authenticator app. For two-factor login.
5. Use a backup code. Saved when you set up two-factor.
6. Turn off SMS filters. Pause blockers and short-code blocks; reply START to X's short code if you sent STOP.
7. Wait out a limit. After "Something went wrong", wait a few hours.
8. Contact X Help. Use help.x.com if you are locked out.

Text-message two-factor is for Premium only

In 2023 X limited text-message two-factor authentication to X Premium subscribers. If you were not subscribed, X turned SMS two-factor off on your account. Use an authenticator app or a security key instead; both work without SMS.

Text codes are still used for sign-up and for adding a phone number.

When your own number just won't work

If X will not send texts to your number, another mobile number can receive the code.

In that case a non-VoIP number is the practical fix. These are real mobile-carrier numbers, which is what X expects. On SMS Pin Verify you can pick a USA number for X and the code appears on screen in your account:

• One-time number: held for you for 15 minutes to receive one code. If no code arrives, you are not charged. Good for a single sign-up.
• Rental number: the same number for several days or longer. Pick a rental if the number stays on the account, because X may text it to confirm it is you.

Two honest limits: a code is never guaranteed, because X decides whether to send it; and a number may have been used on X before you, so start a fresh account rather than trying to recover an old one.

Keep your account after you get in

• Use an authenticator app for two-factor and save backup codes.
• Keep your email verified for password resets.
• Remove old numbers in Settings → Your account.
• Never share an X code. DMs asking for it are scams.

FAQ

Why is X not sending me a code?

A wrong number, filtered texts, a carrier X won't text, or a rate limit.

Can I use X without a phone number?

Yes, you can sign up with email.

Why did my SMS two-factor stop?

Text-message two-factor is only for X Premium; use an authenticator app.

Do virtual numbers work for X?

Non-VoIP mobile numbers usually do.

Related: verify X without your personal number · Truth Social code not received.

More fixes: verification code not received on any app · YouTube code not received · LinkedIn code not received · Truth Social code not received.