How To Fix Short Code SMS Texts Not Working On iPhone 12
Last updated on February 28th, 2021 at 04:39 pm
Posted in TILs by Patricia on October 27, 2020
iPhone 12 Short Code SMS Fixed!
You’ve recently updated to the new iPhone 12 or 12 Pro and aren’t receiving short code SMS texts on your new device? You’re not the only one! A series of users from AT&T and T-Mobile have experienced this problem too. The issue seems to occur when a brand new SIM card is used with the new iPhone.
What Are Short Code SMS Texts?
Short Code messages are very popular with apps that use additional verification for increased account security. The texts are also named Short Codes because they literally contain a string of characters, usually numbers. The mobile verification code can be typed, or you can use the iOS auto-fill option to paste the code from your latest SMS.
How To Fix Short Codes On iPhone 12
To put it simple, no Short Codes implies no access to important platforms like banking accounts and similar apps. Depending on your carrier you have a couple of options to enable this two-factor authentication messages on your new iPhone:
1. Check Cellular Coverage
One obvious reason for SMS messages not to be delivered on your device is the lack of cellular coverage. A series of iPhone 12 models have been reported to experience the No Service bug.
Double-check that you have carrier connectivity before going further. The easiest way is to bring your iPhone into Airplane Mode, wait a couple of seconds and turn off AirPlane Mode. A connection with the nearest cellular tower will be forced and any pending Short Code SMS messages will be delivered!
2. Contact your Carrier
If the short code texts aren’t enabled on your new SIM. you can fix this remotely. Some cellphone companies like T-Mobile can activate the Short Codes from a distance. So, you just need to call their support number or chat with the support department and ask for the service to be enabled for your new SIM.
Tip: Make sure that you have your iPhone 12 packaging nearby, as you might need to provide your device’s Serial Number and other identification details.
Important: You have to restart your iPhone for short codes messages to start working. However, as reported by Dez, sometimes you need several restarts and Airplane Mode ON/OFF toggling before all short messages are properly received!
3. Go To Carrier Store
In other cases a fix might not be that simple, and you’ll need to pay a visit to the nearest store of your carrier and ask for your SIM card to be replaced.
One of our readers reported that his SIM was replaced by AT&T and this fixed the problem. He got a confirmation from the staff that he wasn’t the single one returning a brand new SIM, in the past couple of days.
Updated (February 28)
4. Check Privacy Settings
Restricting the Messages app from being able to access your location ‘while using the app’ could prevent Short Code SMS messages from being delivered.
Fix: Browse for Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services (Enable) -> Messages and select ‘While Using the App’. Does this help? This fix was provided by Suzie in the comments section.
Have you managed to fix Short Code messages on your iPhone 12? Let us know if any of the above tips helped you out. If we missed something don’t hesitate to add it. Use the comments section available below!
Related: How to enable iOS Software Updates over 5G on iPhone 12!
thank you! the simple fix of airplane mode on/off worked!
Jenny, you’re welcome. Glad we could help!
I had to contact my carrier (T-Mobile) for them to enable short code messaging on my account. I just did so via chat, as opposed to calling. Afterwards, they have you restart the phone and I was able to receive a few short code messages, not all. However, I waited a few hours, restarted the phone again and turned the airplane mode on (1 min) and then turned off airplane mode. That seemed to work! Now I’m getting all short code messages so I can log back into my apps/ accounts (Amazon, Capital one, Informed delivery, etc).
Dez, thanks for sharing your experience with this issue. We’ve updated the main content of the article and credited you with the tips. Thanks for your contribution.
Hi, I have recently switched to Iphone 12 pro max and was unable to received verification/short codes for the apps. I did the airplane mode trick, and I contacted my carrier but they said it’s not a carrier issue. So i tried and requested for a sim card replacement. And still, I am unable to receive the short codes. What do I need to do now to fix it?
Jeruza, thanks for sharing your experience. Is your device running the latest iOS 14.3 version? Not sure what else to suggest. You can call your carrier one more time and ask for a fix. Perhaps you will run into a more knowledgable support staff.
I had the same issue with my iPhone XR. It used to work, but then stopped. I had read an article about tracking and had modified some privacy settings. I changed them back and now it works. Settings, Privacy, Location Services, Messages, allow location access “While using app”. You might need to power cycle your phone too. Good luck!
Suzie, thanks for sharing this. We will update your fix in the main content of the article!
I am having the same exact problem too !!!! I hope someone can help us both.
Thanks for reporting. Have you applied fix No. 4 provided in the article?
i’m having the same issue. i have restarted…airplane mode… contacted carrier (att) to no avail. currently locked out of multiple accounts that will only verify via short code. HELP!
Me too! Same issues. Sometimes the verification code will come thru, other times it doesn’t. Normally when it’s the most important code I need at the time!
Have you tried to contact your carrier and mention this short code SMS problem?
I tried all suggestions that the article says and called Att multiple times. They all tell me to restart the phone, but I still don’t receive the code messages. I went to the store and changed the sim; this didn’t work either. I don’t know what else to do, and the Att guys don’t know how to fix the problem. If someone that has iPhone 12 from Att had the same issues and fixed the problem, please let me know how you did it. Thanks
I have the exact problem with my iPhone 11.
I read somewhere a while ago that it’s an Apple software glitch and they’re aware of it but haven’t been able to fix it. I wanted to try Susie’s fix above, but I don’t have “messages” in my location services. Is there some way to add it so I can turn it on?
I called AT&T several months ago and they tried resetting items on my phone remotely to no avail. They told me I may need to take my phone to an Apple store. :(
That’s strange. ‘Messages’ has to be there because it’s a stock iOS app. You sure that your browsed for Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services. Enable ‘Location Services’ and the list with apps that require location access is displayed. ‘Messages’ has to be in the list.
Same issue on my 12 Pro Max. I went to Settings – Privacy – Location Services and do not see anything on Messages. Location Services is on. Called AT&T twice now.
Thanks for reporting. Let us know if they come up with a fix please.
Any resolution to this , I also have the issue with messages not appearing in my location services
Sorry to hear this Lenia. To clarify things. Does this happen with a physical SIM or an eSIM. We’ve encounter the short code SMS issue on an eSIM and managed to fix it by removing the cellular plan, rebooting iPhone and re-adding the eSIM.
i have the same issue and this is my first ever iphone and now i can access to many websites because i dont receive the verification code on my new f@#$ iphone 12
If none of the tips work, please contact your carrier and ask for help. Keep us updated.
same problem on my new iphone 13 mini
Thanks for the feedback. Have you tried to contact your carrier for support?