Not Receiving SMS After Phone Switch? Causes & Fixes

Table of Contents

You switch phones, everything seems fine and then your texts just vanish. Awesome timing especially when you’re trying to sign in, reset a password, or grab a one-time code.

If you’re dealing with Not Receiving SMS After Phone Switch, this is the do this first guide: quick wins, then the real culprits (SIM/eSIM provisioning, iMessage/RCS quirks, carrier short-code filtering), and a backup plan if your SIM keeps acting stubborn.

compliance note: PVAPins is not affiliated with any app/website. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.

Quick checklist 2 minutes: the 8 most common fixes

If you want the fastest win, don’t dive into deep settings right away. Start with the stuff that breaks most often: SIM activation, message filters, and a clean network refresh.

Run this list in order:

Confirm your SIM/eSIM is active + your number is correct
Toggle Airplane mode, then restart
Check filtered folders (Unknown/Spam/Blocked)
Run the 2-test method: normal SMS vs OTP/short code
Bonus: if you’ve been hammering resend, pause 10–30 minutes before trying again

Confirm your SIM or eSIM is active & your number is correct

This one’s painfully basic and it’s still a top cause. You can have bars, data, even calls and inbound SMS can still be mis-provisioned.

Quick checks that actually matter:

If you’re using dual SIM/eSIM, make sure the correct line is selected as your default for SMS.
Confirm your phone shows the right number in settings (and in your carrier account if you can access it).
If you just moved to eSIM, check that the profile is truly active not stuck in that weird half-installed state.

you transferred everything, data works, calls work, but inbound texts don’t because SMS routing never fully attached to the new device.

Toggle Airplane mode, then restart the network reset shortcut

This is the fastest kick the network reset without doing anything risky.

Do this:

Airplane mode ON for ~10 seconds
Airplane mode OFF
Restart the phone
Wait for a stable signal, then test again

It’s boring. It’s also annoyingly effective.

Check filtered folders Unknown or Spam or Blocked

Sometimes the texts are arriving; they’re just getting filed away like junk mail.

On iPhone, check Messages → Filters → Unknown Senders (Apple explains how this works).
On Android, check Spam & blocked / blocked numbers (Google Messages covers spam + blocking behavior).

Run the 2-test method: normal SMS vs OTP or short code

This is the quickest way to stop guessing. It tells you what kind of problem you have.

Test A: normal SMS
Ask a friend to text you: test.

Test B: OTP or short code
Request a verification code from any service you normally use.

Now interpret the result:

Normal SMS fails + OTP fails → likely SIM/eSIM provisioning or inbound routing issue
Normal SMS works + OTP fails → likely SMS verification filtering or restrictions (different lane than regular texts)

Why texts stop after switching phones, root causes explained

Most no incoming SMS after switching phones issues fall into a few buckets. Once you know which bucket you’re in, the fix gets way more straightforward.

Common causes:

SIM/eSIM provisioning problems: your line is active-ish, but inbound SMS isn’t fully enabled
Message filtering/blocking: Unknown/Spam/Blocked folders hide messages (so it feels like nothing arrived)
Cross-platform routing issues: iMessage can still hold your number after you leave iPhone
OTP lane filtering: short codes/verification texts can be treated differently than normal SMS, especially in the US ecosystem
Porting delays: number transfers can temporarily mess up routing (unfair, but real)

If you’re switching between iPhone and Android, pay extra attention to iMessage and RCS; those two create the most ghost text drama.

Not Receiving SMS After Phone Switch step-by-step troubleshooting flow

Here’s the order that saves the most time (and prevents the I changed 14 settings and now I’m lost spiral).

Verify SIM/eSIM + number

Confirm the correct line is selected (especially if dual SIM/eSIM)
Confirm your number is correct

Check filters

iPhone: Unknown Senders
Android: Spam & blocked / blocked numbers

Confirm default messaging setup

Android: make sure your default SMS app is actually set (more below)

Run the 2-test method

Normal SMS from a person
OTP/short code request

Escalate correctly

Normal SMS works, OTP fails → escalate as short code / verification SMS filtering issue
Both fail → escalate as inbound SMS provisioning / routing issue

Small tip that sounds petty but matters: change one thing at a time, then retest. Otherwise you’ll never know what fixed it.

iPhone fixes: iMessage, Unknown Senders, and SMS settings

On iPhone, missing texts usually comes down to two things: message filtering, or iMessage routing weirdness during a platform switch.

Do these checks:

Messages → Filters → Unknown Senders (Apple’s official steps are here)
Temporarily disable any screen unknown senders filtering while testing (you can turn it back on later)
Confirm you didn’t block the sender
Restart and retest with a real person texting you (not an app)

if you enabled message filtering recently, it’s shockingly easy to miss time-sensitive texts because you’re trained to only watch the main inbox.

Switched iPhone → Android? Deregister iMessage or texts may vanish

If your number is still linked to iMessage, texts from iPhone users can keep routing to iMessage instead of SMS so your Android never sees them. Apple provides an official fix for this scenario.

Do this:

If you still have the iPhone: turn off iMessage + FaceTime first
If you don’t: use the deregistration page above
Retest by asking an iPhone user to text you again right after

Android fixes: default SMS app, Spam & blocked, and RCS basics

On Android, texts can fail for totally unsexy reasons: the wrong default SMS app, aggressive spam filtering, or RCS being flaky.

Start here:

Confirm your default SMS app is selected and notifications are allowed
Check Spam & blocked and unblock anything important
Review blocked numbers/spam controls (some apps are very enthusiastic)

Then run tests:

Test normal SMS first
Test OTP second

Turn off RCS temporarily to isolate delivery issues (Google Help)

RCS is enhanced messaging, but basic SMS should still work even if RCS is acting up. Turning RCS off briefly is a clean isolation test: if SMS suddenly behaves, you’re likely dealing with RCS weirdness not carrier SMS routing.

Try this:

Disable RCS
Restart the phone
Retest inbound SMS
If SMS works with RCS off, keep it off until delivery stabilizes
Turn it back on after baseline SMS is solid

SIM or eSIM transfer & carrier provisioning issues

If your SIM/eSIM is half activated, you can have calls and data but still miss inbound texts. That’s not an app issue. That’s provisioning/routing.

What to do:

Confirm the installed SIM/eSIM profile matches your correct number
If you changed phones + SIM at the same time, reseat the SIM (physical) or re-add the eSIM profile (if your carrier supports it)
If you recently ported your number, expect temporary routing delays
Collect your 2-test results (normal SMS vs OTP) so you can explain the issue clearly
Ask your carrier for a refresh/reprovision of inbound SMS routing (yes use that wording)

US carriers & short codes: what to ask for enablement & filtering

In the US, verification/short-code messaging runs through industry programs and carrier filtering. So OTP failures can happen even when normal texts work.

What to ask your carrier:

Is short-code/verification SMS enabled on my line?
Is any filtering blocking verification/short-code traffic?
Can you refresh/reprovision inbound SMS routing for my number?

Not receiving verification codes on new phone

If regular person-to-person texts arrive but verification codes don’t, you’re likely dealing with short-code filtering, carrier restrictions, or a number-type mismatch. OTP is a separate lane treat it like one.

Do this:

Run the 2-test method to confirm the pattern
Don’t rapid-fire requests; many systems throttle OTP attempts
Ask your carrier specifically about verification/short-code enablement (don’t just say texts)
If you need ongoing OTP access (2FA and recovery), prioritize a stable number you can access later
Save timestamps/screenshots for support escalations

When to contact your carrier and what to include

Contact your carrier when:

You can’t receive SMS, or
Normal texts work but OTP/short codes don’t

What to include (this speeds up the fix a lot):

Device model + OS version
SIM vs eSIM
Whether you recently ported the number
Your 2-test results (normal SMS vs OTP)
Timestamps of failures (with timezone)
Ask for: inbound SMS reprovisioning / routing refresh
Retest after they make changes (don’t assume it’s fixed)

Free vs low-cost verification numbers: what actually works for OTP after a phone switch?

Shared public inbox numbers can be okay for quick testing, but they’re often unreliable for OTP because many services restrict shared or low-trust number types. For anything important (2FA, recovery), a dedicated number one-time activation or rental tends to be more stable and privacy-friendly.

A practical way to think about it:

Testing only: free/public-style numbers can be fine
One-time verification: a dedicated one-time activation is usually cleaner
Ongoing access (2FA/recovery): rentals make more sense because you’ll need the number again

Privacy angle (because it matters): if you’re juggling multiple accounts, traveling, or switching devices often, separating your personal SIM from verification workflows can reduce headaches.

Compliance reminder: PVAPins is not affiliated with any app/website. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.

One-time activations vs rentals what to use when

Here’s the simple rule:

One-time activations → you need a single OTP and you’re done
Rentals → you’ll need the number again (2FA, recovery, ongoing verification)

Most people only learn this after getting locked out later. Painful lesson. Avoid it.

Private or non-VoIP options where available & why they matter

Some verification systems are stricter about number types. Where available, private/non-VoIP options can be a better fit for reliability.

Just keep expectations realistic:

No method is guaranteed for every app, every country, every day
Your best odds come from a stable number + sane retry behavior (no spam-tapping OTP)

Using PVAPins as a backup when your SIM won’t receive OTP reliably

If your SIM/carrier setup can’t reliably receive verification texts, PVAPins can be a practical Plan B without turning this into a complicated project.

PVAPins is not affiliated with any app/website. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.

If you want to explore options quickly, these pages are the clean starting points:

Receive SMS online
Free numbers for quick testing
Rentals for longer-term access
FAQs (number types, delivery basics)

What PVAPins is useful for (plain English):

Coverage across 200+ countries
Choosing one-time activations vs rentals based on whether you need repeat access
Private/non-VoIP options where available (often a better fit for stricter verification)
API-ready stability for teams/workflows (without pretending anything is always guaranteed)
A more privacy-friendly way to separate verification from your main SIM

Start with free numbers for quick testing

If you just want to answer one question: Are messages arriving at all? Free numbers are a low-friction first step.

CTA idea: Test whether OTPs arrive before burning attempts on your main SIM.

Move to instant verification for one-time access

When you need one code fast and you’re done, instant verification keeps it simple.

CTA idea: When you need one code, quickly, and that’s it.

Using a temp number can be a practical way to keep your personal life private for low-risk testing just make sure you follow Revolut’s terms and local regulations

Choose rentals for ongoing use

If you expect recovery prompts, repeated 2FA checks, or long-term access needs, rentals are usually the smoother path.

CTA idea: Rentals prevent the classic locked out later problem.

Payments you can use crypto & regional options

Depending on what’s easiest for you, PVAPins supports multiple payment methods, including:

Crypto
Binance Pay
Payeer
GCash
AmanPay
QIWI Wallet
DOKU
Nigeria & South Africa cards
Skrill
Payoneer

If you prefer doing everything from your phone, PVAPins also has an Android app:

FAQ

Why am I not receiving texts on my new phone but I can send them?
Outbound working doesn’t guarantee inbound routing is provisioned correctly. Run the normal SMS test, then ask your carrier for an inbound SMS reprovisioning/routing refresh. If it still fails, your SIM/eSIM activation may be incomplete.

I switched from iPhone to Android and now I’m not receiving texts from iPhone users. Why?
Your number may still be linked to iMessage, so messages from iPhone users keep routing there instead of SMS. Use Apple’s official iMessage deregistration flow and retest right after.

Where do missing texts go on the iPhone?
They can land in Unknown Senders if message filtering is enabled. Check Messages → Filters → Unknown Senders, and temporarily disable screening to test.

Where do missing texts go on Android?
They may be in Spam & blocked or in your blocked numbers list, depending on your SMS app. In Google Messages, review Spam & block and unblock conversations if needed.

Why am I not receiving verification codes on a new phone, but normal texts work?
That usually points to short-code/OTP filtering or carrier restrictions rather than basic SMS. Ask your carrier specifically about verification/short-code enablement and avoid rapid OTP retries while testing.

How long does it take for SMS to work after a SIM/eSIM swap or number transfer?
Sometimes it’s immediate, but routing/provisioning delays can happen especially after porting. If it doesn’t stabilize soon, contact your carrier with timestamps and your 2-test results so they can refresh routing.

Is it allowed to use a virtual number for OTP after a phone switch?
That depends on each app’s terms and your local regulations. PVAPins is not affiliated with any app/website please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.

Bottom line: don’t guess the diagnosis. Confirm SIM/eSIM activation, check filters, run the normal-SMS vs OTP test, and escalate to your carrier with the right wording if it’s provisioning/routing. And if OTP delivery is still unreliable, set yourself up with a backup path that fits the situation: free testing → instant one-time → rentals for ongoing 2FA/recovery with PVAPins.

Also Helpful: The same privacy-friendly tricks work across platforms see our guide on “Fiverr OTP Not Received” if you use multiple inboxes.