Instagram not sending code? 8 fixes to log back in

Why Instagram is not sending your code

Instagram sends codes from short code numbers (five or six digit numbers) or by email. A code can fail to arrive because the text was filtered or blocked on your phone, your carrier blocks short codes, you have no signal, the email went to spam, or Instagram slowed down your requests after several tries. Requesting a new code many times in a row makes this worse, because Instagram may stop sending codes for a while to protect the account.

Check filtered and blocked messages on iPhone

• Open Messages and tap Filters (or Lists) at the top left, then look under Unknown Senders and Junk.
• Go to Settings › Apps › Messages › Blocked Contacts and remove any short code numbers.
• In Settings › Apps › Messages, check that Filter Unknown Senders is not hiding the code.
• Make sure Focus or Do Not Disturb is not silencing new messages.

Check spam and blocked numbers on Android

• In Google Messages, tap your profile picture › Spam & blocked and look for the code.
• In Samsung Messages, tap the three dots › Settings › Block numbers and spam.
• Turn off any third-party spam blocker for a moment, since they often catch short codes.

Ask your carrier about short codes

Some prepaid plans, family plans with content blocks and business lines block short code texts. Call your carrier or check your account settings for a premium SMS or short code block. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile all let the account owner manage these. Also make sure your plan has texting turned on and your account is not suspended for billing.

Get the code by email instead

On the login screen, tap Forgot password, enter your username, and look for a choice between text and email. Email codes come from security@mail.instagram.com. Check Spam, Promotions and any filters in your inbox. If your email changed and you no longer have access, skip to recovery below.

Use your authenticator app or backup codes

If you set up two-factor authentication with an app such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or Duo, Instagram does not text you at all. Open the app and enter the six digit code shown for Instagram. If you saved backup codes when you turned on two-factor, each one works once. Look in your Notes, screenshots or a password manager.

Log in from a trusted device

If you are still logged in on another phone, tablet or computer, Instagram may let you approve the new login there. Look for a notification that says someone is trying to log in, and tap This was me. Logging in from a phone and Wi-Fi network you used before also makes Instagram less suspicious.

Recover your account at instagram.com/hacked

1. Go to instagram.com/hacked on a phone or computer, or tap Need more help? on the login screen.
2. Choose the option that fits: My account was hacked, I forgot my password, or My login code is not working.
3. Enter the email or phone number you signed up with.
4. Follow the steps. Instagram may ask for a video selfie that shows your face from different angles, to compare with photos on the account.
5. Wait for the email. Reviews can take from a few hours to a few days.

The video selfie only works if your account has photos of you. Instagram says it deletes the video after review.

If someone changed your email and phone

Check your email for a message from Instagram about the change. It usually includes a link to undo it and secure your account. Use that link quickly. Then go through instagram.com/hacked. If the hacker also has your email, recover the email account first, because whoever controls it can reset Instagram again.

Prevent this next time

• Use an authenticator app instead of text codes. It works without signal and cannot be stolen with a SIM swap.
• Save backup codes in a safe place.
• Keep your email and phone number current in Accounts Center.
• Add a carrier PIN to protect against SIM swaps.

Read more in two-factor authentication explained and what a SIM swap scam is. If you keep getting signed out, see Instagram keeps logging out.

Instagram code not working when it arrives

Sometimes the code arrives but Instagram says it is wrong. Codes expire after a short time, and each new request makes older codes useless. Use only the newest code, type it within a few minutes, and do not request another while you wait. For authenticator codes, the phone's clock must be correct. Turn on Set Automatically in Settings › General › Date & Time on iPhone, or Automatic date and time on Android, then try a fresh code.

Codes going to an old phone number

If you changed numbers, codes still go to the old number until you update it. If you can still log in on any device, open Accounts Center › Personal details › Contact info and add the new number. If you cannot log in, use the email option or instagram.com/hacked and choose that you no longer have access to the phone number. Carriers recycle numbers, so update your contact info soon after any change.

Too many attempts

Instagram may show "Please wait a few minutes before you try again" after several requests. This is a temporary block to stop attackers. Do not keep trying. Wait at least an hour, sometimes up to a day, then request one code on a stable connection. Switching phones or using a VPN during this time can make the block last longer.

Instagram code not coming on a new phone

After setting up a new phone, codes can fail because the SIM is not fully activated or an eSIM transfer is still in progress. Check that you can send and receive normal texts first. If not, see iPhone not receiving texts or contact your carrier. Once texts work, request the Instagram code again.

Quick checklist

• Wait 10 minutes, then request one code.
• Check spam, junk and filtered texts and email.
• Unblock short codes on the phone and with your carrier.
• Use an authenticator app or backup code if you set one up.
• Approve the login from a device that is still signed in.
• Go to instagram.com/hacked if nothing else works.

If you lost access to Facebook as well, the same Accounts Center controls both, so securing one often helps with the other. See Facebook not sending a code.

When to expect a reply from Instagram

After you submit a recovery request, Instagram usually replies by email within a day, but reviews can take longer during busy periods or when it asks for a video selfie. Submit one request and wait. Sending several requests in a row does not speed things up, and it can push your case back in the queue. Keep checking the inbox you entered, including the spam folder.

Most code problems clear up within an hour once you stop requesting new codes and check your filters, so give it that time before you start a full recovery.

Avoid code requests in a loop

Each new code request cancels the old one, and too many requests trigger a wait period. Request once, wait five minutes, check your filtered messages and email, then try another method instead of asking again.

Patience often works better than repeated requests.