If you are trying to unlock your Facebook account via your mobile number, you will need to request an SMS code – sent from Facebook to your phone, with the code then required in your Facebook app to restore full access.
This may sound like a straightforward process – and it is. But there are occasions when you may find that your SMS simply won’t come through on your device. In this article, we’re sharing some of the reasons why this might happen, and what you can do to fix any underlying issues.
Do You Have Mobile Signal?
One of the issues that users often forget is the need for mobile signal – not just data or a good internet connection. SMS messages are sent via mobile signal, and so even if you have Wifi, you may find that you don’t receive any SMS codes or messages until you are in an area with better connection.
Check Your Spam Folder
As SMS codes are sent from Facebook and not an authentic contact, your device may send the message straight to your junk or spam folder.
Because of this, it’s advised that you check your spam before reporting an issue or trying to reissue the code.
You Need to Request Another Code
Sometimes a block occurs just at the time a code is received – with the easiest thing being to simply request a new one.
This block could be caused by anything from an interruption in your signal, to a slow processor which simply takes a long period to send the code out. It seems counterintuitive, but in this case the best thing is to be patient and wait for the code to arrive, rather than overloading your system with requests.
You Don’t Have Space for the Sms
If your inbox is full or you are lacking in storage space for new SMS messages, the SMS code may not be able to arrive on your device.
Delete some messages to clear space if you think this could create an issue or request your confirmation code via another method (more on this in a moment!)
Is the Number Correct
The final, but surprisingly common issue that affects SMS confirmation codes, is an incorrect number.
If you enter an incorrect number, you may not realise at first – however, a quick double check when you don’t receive the confirmation code could be enough to highlight your issue. Re-enter your number if you’re in any doubt or opt for an alternative method.
Which leads us into the next section of this article…
Alternative Methods of Confirmation for Facebook
If you aren’t receiving the SMS confirmation code and you need to access your Facebook, the best alternative is to use your connected email address instead.
Provided that you can access the email inbox, you should be able to redirect the code to your inbox instead of to your device via SMS.
Whichever method you use, the code should act as the second step in a two-step verification check, letting Facebook know who you are and that you have permission to access the account. We hope this helps!
