Forum Discussion
Can't register with WhatsApp
Hi have just activated a new smarty SIM, but I am unable to register for WhatsApp with it. I have tried everything it says on the WhatsApp help page (turned phone on and off, uninstalled and reinstalled WhatsApp APP, tried personal and business WhatsApp) and it is still saying they cannot send me the SMS with the code an when I request a call, it doesn't give me a code, just says press a number and then cuts off. ( I have checked and can both send and receive SMS and make phone call using this phone).
According to the WhatsApp help site, if the problem continues once trying all that, then it nust me an issue with the network provider.
Has anyone has this issue?
71 Replies
Me too . First call they said press 1
then cut off
second call was “ press 4”
both of which also “ goes in THE CODE box “ which is also a problem in itself coz the first digit isn’t PART OF the verify code .
a nightmare!!
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.
Doesn’t make sense
as I immediately can verify for WhatsApp via gifgaff Vodafone sky ID mob , Tescos , you name it .
But never smarty . I’m still trying and WhatsApp insist it’s a smarty issue . My WhatsApp is ie >> on a separate phone via a gaff sim. It’s crazy and such a bad service in this regard - ( but smarty sims are fabulous value just this massive unsolved issue is its downfall .
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?
yes I tried all that and also still wonder if it’s summat to do with RCS
as gaff sims verify it instantly .
OK I was able to make it work. Unfortunately not via text option. I believe there’s a handshaking issue between WhatsApp and Smarty with respect to the texting gateway in use.
The solution: Others here have reported that the phone call option doesn’t work and it simply hangs up after pressing the digit they asked for. I encountered the same issue, except I figured out why. It’s because WhatsApp is a telephony app, and while it is open, it is conflicting with your actual phone app and its keypad. You are not actually getting your phone app’s numeric keypad, and the touch-tone doesn’t transmit to the call on the iPhone’s app with the active call.It took me a few tries, but I was finally able to switch to the phone app and hit the button to show the phone’s proper keypad. I got it just in time and it worked, and it told me my code.
If that had not worked, I was going to hold up another phone to the microphone of the first phone and use the keypad on it to play the touch tone into the microphone. Luckily I didn’t have to do that. (That trick has saved me before with Skype not passing touch-tones properly to my bank). If you are unable to switch to the right keypad, perhaps this second trick will help.
I hope this helps somebody.
Great but mega complicated for a technophobic like me lol
I do not get why smarty don’t do it like every other sim provider does and just GIVE US the sms “ code ?
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 .
LynnPLA_3357194 Have you followed the instructions given on the whatsApp. Help centre re: changing number? faq.whatsapp.com/498754122134583/?cms_platform=android
I’ve tried every method known to man lol
I assumed last time it was cos I’d ported a number to it
this is a brand new sim and it’s the same issue
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?
Please see my other post on how I just got it working using the telephone option. It was tricky but I got it working.
Smarty are not easy to contact. Another major problem.
Same here . Seemed so good a deal but nothing I tried verified WhatsApp — yet telegram did and all my other sims verified WhatsApp but smarty won’t. Then I googled it and found majority cannot . It’s a smarty problem . If it magically DOES one day I’ll port number from gaff / vf but tbh I SERIOUSLY doubt it’ll happen. Two days of stress later and it’s impossible . Tried everything . SOOO cross as it’s amazing value but only in paper not in real life terms . Even thoughts it my iPhone 12 p/max? But it’s not as other firms sims verified it instant.
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.
Hi neiljdo
If you have tried everything on WhatsApp's help page, I recommend contacting WhatsApp directly. https://faq.whatsapp.com/498754122134583/?cms_platform=android
It’s not WhatsApp issue . It’s a smarty issue. Thousands confirm that!
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?
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 laterYou’ll have a long wait . If it’s not instant it’s not processing . Smarty doesn’t connect to WhatsApp well.
Thanks, I have been in touch with WhatsApp but not had an answer back yet.
If you do still need help after WhatsApp get back to you you might consider raising a complaint the complaints team have more flexibility on how they can help https://smarty.co.uk/contact.
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
