Can't register with WhatsApp

I’m aware this is an old ish thread, but found it when I was encountering problems when trying to sort out WhatsApp so thought I would post what worked for me eventually. In short and I get that everyone will have their own view on this, but I am technically unsure which company is at fault. That said, after trying 2 different SIMS from different companies I was having no luck when trying to change my number with WhatsApp. Thankfully after about 12 days and 3 of those days contacting WhatsApp support having tried everything listed here, it just worked. Why do I think it’s WhatsApp and not smarty? Because I tried not just my smarty number but a completely different SIm, and tried everything else including resetting network settings. In the end, I thought I would try it one more time and it worked. From what I can gather, WhatsApp can sometimes take a. While to verify because of security reasons. However I would finish by adding this: If your coming to smarty and want to stay like I do, be prepared to try everything and you may just need to grin and bare it for nearly 2 weeks as was the case in my scenario. Might be worth keeping your old number to hand on a spare device or as a separate SIM so that you can still use it until your new number is successfully verified. I don’t mind the wait, but I wasn’t so happy a week ago I admit. So its doable but there may be a waiting period. This might help you, it might not. Good luck.

I'm experiencing the same issue. Already uninstalled/reinstalled the app but still can't receive verification code from whatsapp. Other apps work fine, though.

I have a new Iphone 13 and i cannot receive the SMS from whattsapp. I tried my Smarty sim in another Android phone and this has the same issue. All other apps work fine. 

I tried all the advice on the Whattsapp help pages. 

I need this working or i will just cancel my account after a week of having Smarty and move to another provider if i can't get it sorted.  Who can o contact at Smarty?

Hey RebeccaGUpton,

If you are still having issues I have found this help page from what's app https://faq.whatsapp.com/498754122134583/?cms_platform=android 

Yes we are having trouble setting up my daughter’s phone. 
she has my husbands old iPhone 11 and brought her a smarty monthly sim contract and she relays on what’s app for contacting family but we have been having trouble connecting it. 
we got the code etc but now it’s saying wait 24hrs for something or another but still waiting 2 days later 

Hi Rebecca, I’m having the same issue and tried all of the advice below. Do you mind me asking if you got it resolved and how? 

I just had the same issue. In my case, setting up WhatsApp for the first time. It is unable to send the text.

Unfortunately WhatsApp makes me wait an hour between tries, so I’m waiting, but thinking about it. I have a couple of ideas while I’m waiting.

I ported my number to Smarty. Initially, though everything seemed to work, my iPhone would not update the phone number in my Mobile Service setting. Another thing that would not work was Apple not being able to register my number for iMessage and FaceTime. It kept only showing my temporary Smarty SIM number, which was no longer active of course.

I fixed this by going into my General Settings and doing a reset of network settings and a reboot. This fixed the number that showed in settings, and also my Apple apps then registered properly.

While this did not solve WhatsApp for me, maybe it can work for you.

Also, it got me remembering something from my old tech days. Some companies will send text messages via an app that selects a provider, and uses their gateway for the text. Phone numbers will show up in lists of the original pre-port provider, and a texting system may be trying this method of sending. Ie. If you’ve ported your number, WhatsApp *might* be detecting your old provider as "owning" the number, even though you’ve ported, which could fail if they’re trying the old provider’s texting gateway. Just a thought. If this is the case it will probably never work.

I know that would get spam calls from Three when I had been on O2 for a while, because my number was in the Three range of ‘original’ numbers. 

Another thought - my next test (in another hour!!). Smarty wants you to update your “Mobile Data Network" settings if you intend to roam in Europe. Without making this change, they say that roaming won’t work. Not sure if this is the issue here, but I’ll try it. You need to change your APN to mob.asm.net in two places. I could be on the wrong track. [edit: did not work]

WhatsApp isn’t critical to me, but it would be nice to solve this. If I manage to make it work, I’ll post back.

[Edit] Could this be related to Smarty not supporting RCS messaging?

RebeccaGUpton  Is your phone receiving calls and texts normally?

Did you input your full international number as requested? Choose UK from dropdown and then add just 7xxx xxxxxx?

Thanks, I have been in touch with WhatsApp but not had an answer back yet.

I get this whether it’s voda gaff smarty or any number change WhatsApp doesn’t seem to be able to handle it ever . No idea why .