In an arms race to stay ahead of hackers and cybercriminals, Instagram uses a variety of tools to ensure your identity and ensure only authorized users gain access to their accounts. One of these tools is sending a code in SMS as a form of two-factor authentication.
But if Instagram isn't sending an SMS code when you need it, you can get stuck and locked out of your account. Don't panic: Here are seven ways to find Instagram when it's not sending you an SMS code.
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Make sure you are using the correct phone
If you're waiting for an SMS code and not receiving it, one of the most common problems is that you're using a different phone or have changed your phone number since configuring two factor authentication. It's easy to lose track of all the devices and apps relying on an old number when you change phones. But all is not lost; when you configured two-factor authentication, Instagram also asked you to set up an email address as well. You might also have enabled two-factor authentication with an authenticator app.
Regardless, you should have at least one other method at your disposal for getting logged in. After you regain access to your account, remember to change your two-factor authentication settings and update your phone number. To do that, start the Instagram app and tap your account icon at the bottom. Tap the three-line menu at the top and choose Settings. Tap Security and finally choose Two-factor authentication to make the necessary changes.
Ensure you have a reliable internet and cellular connection
You won't be able to get a code from Instagram if your cellular connection is poor or you're out of the service area. This generally isn't a serious concern, but if you're camping in the woods for the weekend, you might be out of luck until you return to civilization. Look for your cellular strength at the top of the home page and move to a different area if needed.
Check to make sure you can receive SMS messages
This is a pretty obscure issue, but it's not inconceivable that you are having an issue with your cellular carrier, a glitch with your plan, or a bug in the Messages app. Regardless, ask someone else to text you to make sure you are actually receiving SMS messages.
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Make sure your phone isn't set to Do Not Disturb
This one is easy to miss: It's possible you aren't seeing SMS messages arrive because your phone is in Do not disturb mode. On the iPhone, swipe down from the top right of the screen and check the Focus button. If it says anything other than "Focus," tap it to enable all notifications.
If you have an Android device, the process is pretty similar. Swipe down from the top of the screen and look for the Do not disturb shortcut icon. If it's enabled, tap it to turn it off. Now you might find that you've already received one or more SMS messages.
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Check to see if Instagram is offline
If you have tried more than once to recover your Instagram account but you're not getting the SMS message, it's possible that the Instagram service itself is down. To see if the problem resides with Instagram rather than your app or your phone, you can check the Instagram status page at Downdetector. You can also search "is Instagram down" in your web browser. If it is offline, then you'll need to wait for service to be restored and then try again.
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Clear your Instagram app's cache
It's possible that the app isn't sending a request to the Instagram server for your SMS code because your app's data cache contains some sort of corrupted data. The fix is relatively simple. If you are using Instagram on an iPhone, uninstall the app and then reinstall it from the App Store.
If you have an Android device, you can clear the cache without uninstalling the app. Start the Settings app and tap Apps. If necessary, tap See all apps and then tap Instagram. Tap Storage & cache, and the tap Clear cache followed by Clear storage.
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Try to get the SMS message from a different device
Last but not least, if you have tried everything else and still can't get an SMS code, try logging in and requesting the SMS code using a different device. For example, if you were using your iPhone or Android device, try logging in with a browser on your computer. Sometimes, requesting a login from a different device will be all you need to get the code. Be careful to stay on the same Wi-Fi network, though, if at all possible — if you send login requests from multiple networks, that can be a red flag and Instagram may temporarily block logins to the account.
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
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