Fewer things are as frustrating as knowing that the love (or hook-up) of your life could be a click away, but you’re not able to access them.
There are two typical situations that may bring you to the Tinder problem of getting your code: You’re signing up on Tinder for the first time or logged out of your account and are trying to get back in.
Are you wondering, why am I not getting my SMS code? If so, rest easy—we’ll help you identify the issue and show you how to fix it.
What Tinder Says About SMS Verification Issues
Let’s start with the basics. SMS stands for “short message service,” which is a fancy term for “text message.”
When you sign up for or sign back into Tinder, they’ll let you know that they’ll send an SMS verification message to your phone number. We’ll get into the reasoning for this shortly, but for now, all you need to know is that it helps confirm you’re a real person.
In some cases, you might receive a Tinder SMS error. Other times, you might not get an error but simply don’t receive a text message from them. If you’re going through Tinder phone verification and there was a problem getting your code, Tinder’s help center recommends the following:
- Wait a couple of hours. Then try again.
- Check to ensure you have cellular data enabled, and you have a strong cell connection.
- Call your phone provider and ask them if they’ve blocked messages to your number.
These are solid recommendations. And when it comes to the first point, sometimes delivery delays on Tinder’s part are the only problem—you might suddenly receive your verification message from them after you move onto another task.
Other Reasons You Don’t Receive a Tinder Code
Tinder won’t send a verification code to you? First, you need to assess what you typed into their system.
We understand not wanting to share your personal details, and Tinder newbies often type in a fake phone number, thinking that it doesn’t matter. However, Tinder requires a working number for you to create and continue to access your profile.
If you already typed in your real number, try typing it in again. The Tinder problem of getting your code could be as simple as a typo.
Once you weed out human error as a potential issue, the situation gets a little trickier. You may not receive your Tinder code for one of the following reasons:
- You have a number that Tinder doesn’t support (or vice versa)
- The number you typed in already has a Tinder account connected to it
- Tinder flagged your number as being suspicious
- It’s a network or phone carrier glitch that should go away soon
If Tinder lets you know that your phone number already corresponds with a current profile, we hope that the profile is yours; every year, phone companies recycle millions of phone numbers.
In fact, the Federal Communications Commission is now developing a database to help prevent cell phone holders from getting calls (and SMS verification messages) intended for their previous owner.
Still Having Issues? Here’s an Alternative Solution
If you’re still getting a Tinder SMS verification error after speaking with your phone provider and eliminating all the potential issues listed above, there’s one more option you can consider—getting a temporary phone number.
Companies like Datingzest offer an additional second phone number that you can get an SMS verification for logging in.
Often called “burner” numbers, these web-based phone numbers work just like a phone in the sense that you can receive calls and texts. Therefore, they’re a great option once you log into Tinder if you don’t want to give your real phone number to the people you start connecting with.
Best of all, your Phoner number will be good for life, so you don’t have to jump through hoops with receiving another SMS message if you get logged out of your Tinder account.
Getting in Touch with Tinder
By now, you should be able to access Tinder somehow. But if you can’t, you have one more option—reaching out to Tinder directly.
You can submit a request via their user-friendly online form.
The Importance of Tinder SMS Verifications
Even when a Tinder SMS verification runs smoothly, it can feel like an annoying step that they make you take. However, it’s in your best interest.
Tinder struggles with people running bots and scams on their app. Therefore, linking a single phone number with each profile and making a person confirm the code they send via an SMS verification message helps them reduce the number of fake “partners” that you’ll encounter on their interface.
Once you’re able to access an SMS code, it’ll be in the form of six digits that you’ll need to type into their app. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are—Tinder can send you the verification code.
Typically, the SMS from Tinder comes from an unknown number. However, you’ll know it’s the correct one because the message will identify itself as coming from Tinder.
Is It Possible to Use Tinder Without a Phone Number?
All Tinder members must have a phone number to use the interface. The reason is because of what we just covered—a phone number helps Tinder ensure you’re a real person, thus reducing the chances of you interacting with a bot or scammer.
Wrap Up
A frustrating Tinder problem is getting code for verification to sign in to the app. If you’re receiving an error or simply never receiving an SMS code, it could be a matter of waiting and trying again in a few hours.
Other times, you may need to be more proactive, including reaching out to your provider to ensure they’re not blocking your messages or moving to an area where there’s stronger cell phone reception.
Regardless of your circumstance, by following the advice we shared here, you’ll be able to access Tinder in no time. And trust us—it’s worth the wait!
