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If you’re staring at your phone thinking, Cool, so where’s the code? yep, you’re not alone. When Wise OTPs don’t show up, it’s usually not a single Wise instance down. It’s more like a relay race: Wise sends a network route if your carrier filters it, and your phone decides where it appears.
Here’s what we’re doing in this guide: a clear, step-by-step fix ladder for Wise OTP not received issues. We’ll start with quick solutions that resolve most cases, then cover app approvals, lockouts, number changes, and recovery.
And if your SIM refuses to cooperate, I’ll also show you a safe, compliant way to retry using PVAPins without making weird promises we can’t back up.
SMS code or app approval, what are you waiting for?
Before you go nuclear on settings or mash the Resend button like it’s a game, check what you’re actually waiting for: an SMS text code or an in-app approval request.
These are totally different pipelines. Fixing the wrong one is how people end up losing 30 minutes and being extra annoyed.
If Wise is asking you to approve a login on a trusted device, SMS troubleshooting won’t help. Start in the right lane, and everything gets easier.
If you’re expecting an SMS
If your screen says something like We sent you a code, and you’re waiting for a text, your bottleneck is usually one of these:
- carrier short-code filtering
- number formatting
- message app spam/blocked settings
Let’s be real: the fastest fix is often dull. Verify the number format, make sure you’ve got a signal, and check filters. Boring but effective.
If you’re expecting an in-app approval request
If Wise is trying to push an approval prompt to the app, you’re dealing with data, notifications, and background activity.
Power saver modes can quietly block approval prompts. If other apps work but Wise approvals don’t show, check its notification permissions or battery settings-you’re not alone in this.
Wise OTP not received solve the issues.
If you’re here because you didn’t receive the Wise verification code, start here. Do these quick checks first, then request a fresh code once.
Most Wise SMS code not received situations aren’t deep account problems. They’re often signal issues, filters, or a misformatted number, so stay calm-these are fixable.
A temp number can help you separate privacy from your main SIM—especially for verification-heavy workflows.
Check signal + turn off airplane mode toggles.
Start simple. Seriously.
- Turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off.
- Make sure you’ve got real carrier bars.
- Restart the phone if your signal looks weird or is stuck.
You’re in a basement, elevator, or parking garage. SMS delivery can lag by minutes. Walk outside, retry once. It isn’t enjoyable, but it works more often than it should.
Confirm your number format.
This matters a lot if you travel, switch regions, or recently updated your phone.
- Make sure your number includes the correct country calling code.
- Double-check there are no missing digits or extra zeros.
If your texts are failing in general on Android, Google’s own checklist can help you rule out device-level issues: Fix problems sending, receiving, or connecting to Google Messages.
Check spam/blocked senders + SMS inbox storage.
OTP texts sometimes get filtered as spam. Not fair, but welcome to modern messaging.
- Check spam/unknown sender folders in your Messages app.
- Look at your blocked list.
- Make sure your inbox isn’t full, and your phone isn’t scraping the bottom of storage.
A practical rule: when storage is nearly complete, phones start behaving weirdly. SMS delays are one of those weird things.
Disable power saver + allow notifications
Even if you’re expecting SMS, it’s smart to remove the silent blockers in case Wise switches you to in-app approvals.
- Temporarily turn off battery saver/power saver.
- Make sure Wise notifications are enabled.
- Update the Wise app if you haven’t in a while.
Think of it as clearing the road before you try again.
The Wise app notification was not received.
If your issue is that you’re not receiving Wise app notifications, focus on three things: data, messages, and the trusted device.
Most approval prompts fail because the device can’t receive background notifications, or you’re checking the wrong device.
Trusted device got switched? Here’s what to do
If you recently changed phones or reinstalled the app, Wise may not yet recognize this device as trusted.
Try this flow:
- Confirm you’re logged into the Wise app on the device you’re holding.
- Make sure Wi-Fi or mobile data is actually on.
- Temporarily turn off battery optimization for Wise so it can run in the background.
- If you can, check the device you previously used for approvals.
This is a super common real-world issue: people upgrade phones, keep the same number, and suddenly approvals stop. Feels random. Usually it isn’t.
I haven’t received an approval request. What does it change?
If Wise gives you an option like I haven’t received an approval request, use it. That typically opens alternative methods.
For the official Wise guidance on missing codes/notifications, this is the reference to keep handy: Wise help article on not receiving the 2-step verification code or notification:
Wise 2-step verification is not working.
Seeing ‘invalid’, ‘expired’, or ‘too many attempts’? Yeah, not fun.
This usually happens because you entered an older code, your device time is off, or you triggered a rate limit.
Micro-opinion: hammering resend is almost always the wrong move. It turns a simple delivery issue into a lockout situation.
When code expires is actually a clock/time-sync issue.
OTP systems are time-sensitive. If your device clock is off, valid codes can get rejected.
Do this:
- Turn on Automatic date & time
- Turn on Automatic time zone
- Request a fresh code and enter the newest one
It’s a small change, but it fixes verification code invalid headaches way more than you’d expect.
What to do after too many verification attempts.
When you hit an attempt limit, stop, take a breath. Waiting is the fastest route.
- Wait a bit before trying again.
- Don’t keep entering older codes.
- Switch the verification method instead of retrying the same failing path.
If Wise shows a dedicated 2-step verification flow that isn’t working, use it.
Changed phone number or new SIM? Update Wise without getting locked out
Changed your number? Now you can’t log in. The answer depends on one thing: are you still logged in anywhere?
The smoothest path is updating your number while you still have the old SIM active. If you’re already locked out, you’ll likely need recovery.
If you’re still logged in: safest way to change your number
If you can access your account:
- Update your phone number in account settings first.
- Keep the old SIM active until the new number is confirmed.
- Add a backup verification method if Wise allows it.
Wise’s official guidance for number changes:
If you’re logged out: recovery path
If you can’t receive verification to the old number, look for options like:
- Try another way.
- I don’t have any of these.
- Recovery/identity confirmation steps
This may include selfie/ID checks. Here’s Wise’s identity confirmation guidance:
Free vs low-cost numbers for verification: what works better
Free/public-style numbers can be fine for quick testing, but they’re often unreliable for real account access because codes can be delayed, shared, or blocked. If you need reliable OTP delivery and privacy, a private option is the better choice.
Here’s how I think about it:
- Free/public-style numbers: okay for testing a verification screen or non-critical stuff.
- Private numbers: better for actual access, recovery, and ongoing verification needs.
One important note: some apps reject certain number types. So don’t chase any number. Use the right kind for your use case.
Compliance reminder: PVAPins is not affiliated with Wise. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.
When a free/public-style number is fine
If you’re checking whether the verification flow works, a free number can be a quick way to test it. Treat it like a disposable test, not something you rely on for account access.
If you use PVAPins for light testing, start here.
When you need a private number
If you’re trying to get back into an account or you care about privacy, private numbers reduce the shared inbox chaos.
This is also useful if your personal SIM is unreliable or you’re travelling and your carrier’s being difficult.
One-time activation vs rental: which to pick
Quick breakdown:
- One-time activation: best when you need one OTP, and you’re done.
- Rental: better if you need ongoing access for 2FA and recovery.
If you expect to log in again later, rentals are usually the calmer option.
PVAPins fast path: get an SMS-capable number and retry verification safely
If your SIM isn’t receiving codes or you keep seeing ‘not supported’ numbers, PVAPins can help you retry verification with numbers in 200+ countries.
No hype: this can be a practical workaround when carrier filtering or number restrictions are the actual blocker. It’s not a promise that any specific app will accept every number, but it is a way to test another delivery path when yours is failing.
Compliance reminder: PVAPins is not affiliated with Wise. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.
Which PVAPins option to choose
Here’s the clean funnel:
- Just testing? Start with free numbers:
- Need OTP right now? Use instant verification/receive SMS:
- Need ongoing access for 2FA/recovery? Choose rentals:
If you want fewer surprises long-term, rentals tend to be the least stressful.
Payments people ask about
When you’re ready to top up or rent, PVAPins supports a solid mix of payment methods:
- Crypto
- Binance Pay
- Payeer
- GCash
- AmanPay
- QIWI Wallet
- DOKU
- Nigeria & South Africa cards
- Skrill
- Payoneer
And if you prefer doing everything from your phone, there’s the PVAPins Android app:
US notes: short codes, carriers, and why it works on Wi-Fi but not SMS.
In the US, SMS verification codes often come from short codes, and those can be filtered by carrier settings, device spam filters, or messaging configurations, even when everything else looks fine.
If Wi-Fi works but SMS doesn’t, treat it as a messaging/carrier issue, not an internet issue.
A good reference for iPhone messaging issues: If you can’t send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad
iPhone in the US: iMessage/RCS vs SMS confusion
Sometimes it’s not wise to receive OTP on an iPhone. It’s the phone routing messages strangely.
Try this quick check:
- Confirm you can receive regular SMS from another number.
- Check if Filter Unknown Senders is hiding messages.
- Restart and retry once.
- If short codes are consistently blocked, your carrier may need to remove the short-code block.
India/global notes: roaming, number formats, and delivery delays
Globally, OTP delivery issues are often caused by roaming, incorrect number formatting, dual SIM/eSIM confusion, and regional carrier filtering.
If you’re travelling or using dual SIM:
- Confirm the correct SIM is set as your default SMS line.
- Ensure roaming is enabled if you’re outside your home country.
- Double-check country codes and number format before retrying.
And if Wise offers app approvals, they can be more consistent than international SMS while you’re on the move.
When to stop troubleshooting and use account recovery
At some point, troubleshooting becomes a loop: resend, wait, resend, sigh. If you can’t access any verification method, it’s smarter to switch to recovery.
Use Wise’s account recovery path when:
- You lost access to the old number
- You’ve hit rate limits repeatedly
- Verification methods don’t work on any device
To make recovery smoother:
- Use good lighting and a stable camera.
- Follow the ID/selfie instructions exactly.
- Avoid switching devices mid-process if you can.
Wrap-up: prevent this next time
Once you’re back in, take five minutes to future-proof yourself. Reduce future lockouts by setting up backups and avoiding last-minute number changes.
Smart prevention steps:
- Add a backup verification method if available.
- Keep automatic date/time enabled.
- Update your phone number before you cancel an old SIM.
- Consider a rental number for ongoing verification if you want a consistent, private line.
Wise’s guide to managing 2-step verification settings
FAQ
Why isn’t Wise sending my verification code?
It may be sent, but delivery can fail due to carrier filtering, a weak signal, or spam/blocked message settings. Start with signal + number format, then retry once. If it still doesn’t arrive, switch to a different verification method instead of repeatedly resending.
How long should I wait before resending a Wise OTP?
Please give it a couple of minutes, then resend once. If nothing shows up, try a different verification method to avoid triggering attempt limits.
What does code invalid or code expired usually mean?
Most of the time, you enter an older code, or your phone clock is out of sync. Enable automatic date/time and request a new code. Then enter the newest one.
Why don’t I receive the Wise approval request in the app?
Usually, it’s notifications, data connection, or battery optimization blocking background activity. Enable notifications for Wise, ensure data is on, and temporarily turn off Power Saver.
What if I changed my phone number and can’t log in?
If you’re still logged in anywhere, update your number in settings first. If you’re locked out, use the recovery path and follow the identity steps.
Can I use a different phone number to receive the Wise code?
Only if it’s allowed under the app’s terms and local regulations, some apps restrict certain number types, so avoid assuming a random number will always work.
What’s better: one-time activation or rental for OTP?
One-time activations are best for quick verification. Rentals are better for ongoing 2FA and account recovery because you keep access over time.
Conclusion
If your Wise OTP isn’t showing up, the fastest path is usually pretty simple: confirm whether you’re waiting on SMS or an app approval, run the 2-minute checks, and don’t spam resends. If you changed numbers or lost access to your trusted device, recovery is often the cleanest route.
And if your SIM/carrier is the bottleneck or your number isn’t supported, PVAPins can help you retry with a number that’s built for OTP delivery. Start with free testing, jump to instant verification if you’re in a hurry, and use rentals if you want ongoing access.
- Try a free number for testing
- Receive SMS for instant verification
Compliance reminder: PVAPins is not affiliated with Wise. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.