When an Apple ID verification code doesn’t arrive, it’s rarely “just broken.” It’s usually a predictable failure point: your trusted device can’t receive the prompt, your number can’t receive SMS, or Apple’s security checks are deliberately slowing delivery.
This guide explains why it happens first, then walks through fixes that don’t reduce your account security.
Why Apple ID codes sometimes don’t show up
Apple can deliver a code in a few ways (push prompt to a trusted device, SMS/voice to a trusted phone number). Problems typically come from one of these:
- Connectivity or notification delivery issues on the trusted device (Wi‑Fi/cellular, Focus modes, VPNs, time drift).
- Trusted device isn’t reachable (powered off, not signed in, stuck at activation/lock screen, old device removed).
- Carrier/SMS filtering (short-code blocks, roaming restrictions, “unknown sender” filtering).
- Apple security throttling after repeated attempts, unusual location/device, or too many code requests.
- Account state problems (outdated trusted number, you lost access to trusted devices, or the sign-in flow is bouncing between sessions).
1. Check the basics that actually affect code delivery
These look simple, but they’re the most common reasons codes vanish.
- Confirm date/time is correct: on iPhone/iPad go to Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically. On Mac: System Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Toggle Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off (forces a network re-register).
- Disable VPN/Private Relay temporarily while signing in (some networks/carriers handle SMS and push prompts poorly through certain routes).
- Restart the device you expect to receive the code (trusted iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watch).
If you’re expecting an SMS, also make sure you can receive any SMS at all (send yourself a test from another phone).
2. Make sure you’re watching the right place for the code
Apple ID sign-in doesn’t always send an SMS. Often, the code appears as a prompt on a trusted device.
- Look for a sign-in prompt on your other Apple devices (iPad, Mac, Apple Watch).
- Unlock the trusted device and leave it on the home screen for a minute; prompts can be delayed if the device is locked or in a low-power state.
- Check Notification settings for “Settings” / “Apple ID” prompts if you’ve silenced system alerts heavily. Focus modes can also hide prompts.
3. If you’re using SMS: fix the usual carrier blocks
SMS delivery fails more often than the push prompt because it depends on your carrier. Try these in order:
- Request a voice call instead of SMS (if the option appears). Voice can succeed when SMS is filtered.
- Turn off SMS spam filtering (carrier/app setting) temporarily, and check blocked numbers/contacts.
- Check roaming and short-code restrictions if you’re traveling; some plans block certain automated messages.
- Move the SIM to another phone briefly to see if SMS arrives there (isolates whether the issue is device-side or carrier-side).
If other SMS messages work but Apple’s never arrives, it’s often a carrier short-code filtering problem—calling the carrier and asking them to allow “short codes/automated verification SMS” can help.
4. Avoid “code spam”: stop requesting new codes repeatedly
Repeatedly clicking “Send code” can trigger throttling, where Apple slows or blocks delivery for a while.
- Stop requesting new codes for 10–30 minutes.
- Use one sign-in attempt (one device/browser) and wait.
- Don’t keep switching between Wi‑Fi and cellular mid-flow if possible.
It’s counterintuitive, but fewer attempts often restores normal delivery faster.
5. Confirm you still have a trusted device (and it’s signed in)
If you recently reset a phone, sold a device, or changed your Apple ID password, your “trusted device” list can shift.
- On a device that is already signed in, go to Settings (or System Settings) > Apple Account/Apple ID to confirm you’re signed in.
- Check your trusted phone numbers (Apple Account > Sign-In & Security).
- Update the trusted number if you changed SIMs or country codes.
If you have no trusted devices and the trusted number is outdated, you’re likely headed toward account recovery (see step 7).
6. Remove browser/session confusion (web sign-ins especially)
Sometimes the code is fine, but the sign-in session is broken—so the code entry never “sticks.” This is common when multiple tabs/devices are trying to sign in.
- Close extra tabs and sign in from only one browser window.
- Try a private/incognito window (prevents stale cookies and redirects from interfering).
- Disable content blockers/ad blockers temporarily for Apple sign-in pages only.
- Try a different network (home Wi‑Fi vs mobile hotspot) if the page keeps reloading or timing out.
This doesn’t lower your account security; it just removes cookie/session conflicts.
7. If you can’t access any trusted device/number: use account recovery (and know what to expect)
If you’ve lost access to your trusted phone number and you don’t have any signed-in trusted device, Apple may require account recovery. This can take time by design.
- Start recovery from Apple’s official recovery flow (avoid third-party “recovery” sites).
- Use a stable phone number and device you can keep for several days (changing numbers/devices mid-process can delay things).
- Watch for Apple’s status messages about waiting periods—this is normal for security.
If you do still have a trusted device, prefer fixing delivery and prompts first; it’s faster and usually avoids recovery delays.
Final thoughts
Apple ID codes usually fail for a reason: delivery path (push vs SMS), trust state (which devices/numbers are valid), or throttling after too many requests.
Work from the “least invasive” fixes upward, and if you truly can’t reach any trusted device or number, account recovery is the secure (if slower) path back in.