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setup · Last verified: 2026-10
I never receive the SMS verification code — how do I register?
The most common causes are: your number doesn't support international SMS, you used a VoIP/virtual number, or there's carrier filtering. Switch to your physical SIM on cellular data and retry.
Step by step
- 1Make sure you're using a real physical SIM card — VoIP numbers (Google Voice, Skype, TextNow, etc.) are blocked by both Alipay and WeChat.
- 2Turn off Wi-Fi and use cellular data instead during registration — some home routers block or delay international SMS-linked flows.
- 3Check that your mobile plan includes international SMS reception. Most do by default, but some MVNOs and budget plans don't.
- 4Wait up to 5 minutes before re-requesting — sending too many OTP requests in quick succession can trigger a cooldown block.
- 5Try a different phone number (a family member's, a friend's) to register, then change the number later from within the app's settings.
- 6If registering WeChat: some regions require you to use a number that hasn't been used on WeChat before. Try a different number if yours was previously registered.
Common mistakes
- !Do not use a virtual or VoIP number — accounts registered with them are often later suspended.
- !eSIM numbers work fine for receiving SMS in most cases, but a few carriers have issues — if yours fails, swap to a physical SIM.
- !If you're in Europe and your number format includes a country code prefix, make sure you enter it exactly as required (e.g., +44 for UK, not 0044).