Can't register with WhatsApp

[RebeccaGUpton]

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?

[AndreH]

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 It kept only showing my temporary Smarty SIM number, which was no longer active of course.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?

[AndreH]

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.

[LynnPLA_3357194]

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 . 

[MSF]

@LynnPLA_3357194  Have you followed the instructions given on the whatsApp. Help centre re: changing number? faq.whatsapp.com/498754122134583/?cms_platform=android  

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Of course lol . That’s  the problem. 

[MSF]

@LynnPLA_3357194 So, in that case, have you posted on a WhatsApp forum?

[MSF]

@LynnPLA_3357194 Number definitely in correct format? +44 7xxx xxxxxx (just a thought!)

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Update . My prior - gaff / sim works !!!!! Thank god ! The @SMARTYMobileUK on a new number doesn’t seem to operate whatsoever . No WhatsApp verif codes work or texts send or receive so I’ve wasted ten quid . Yet another harsh lesson . I’ll try to get a refund !!! 
gaff worked it all . WhatsApp telegram fb the lot . Txts calls etc. sms . 

smarty sim is faulty . Wasted £10 

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Ps : telegram works instantly didn’t even have to pay extra for any kind of short code fee etc so it can’t even be some sort of data problem . Baffling.. lol  for now I simply can’t use WhatsApp . Til if ever it sorts . On behalf of millions of us lol 

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Yesssss . It says what always says for any number “ can’t send sms “. 

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Ps to the smarty guru advising to change network settings on phones manually. Some aren’t techy they’ll ruin phones . iPhone versus a tenner sim?? Just get a giffgaff for minimum  £6 ( or any other provider)..  and not ruin your phone !! Smarty should be taking this issue a lot more seriously! 
all other sims you just place inside and it’ll connect after activated . Nobody shoud have to MAnually enter anything into phone network connection settings . Espec if even that still doesn’t work it anyway. 

[MSF]

@LynnPLA_3357194 All very odd because my wife and I both use WhatsApp on Smarty with no problems at all and never had a problem in signing up at the first stage.

[AndreH]

When you set it up initially were you on Smarty? did you move to smarty after? I had WhatsApp prior to the move to Smarty on one of our phones, which transferred fine and WhatsApp works.

The other phone/number has never been registered with WhatsApp before, and we are trying to set up for the first time on Smarty. This one fails on them sending the initial verification text.

[LynnPLA_3357194]

If you Google do smarty users have problems verifying WhatsApp?! You’ll see yes most will and do  find it impossible to do so - . — IE:- You’re very lucky to have been verified . Good on  ya mate do tell us how . Lol .. my sim is only useable as a spare in spare phone tip it expires now  . 

[MSF]

@LynnPLA_3357194 "most will find it impossible" - really? If that were the case, I think that smarty would have very few customers.

How I did it?- Can't remember as I have been a Smarty customer for some time, but there was no issue for me or family members.

[Christo_3291348]

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?

[AndreH]

Please see my other post on how I just got it working using the telephone option. It was tricky but I got it working.

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Smarty are not easy to contact. Another major problem. 

[LynnPLA_3357194]

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. 

[MSF]

@Christo_3291348  Why you assume that it has to be Smarty's fault and not WhatsApp? Is the phone brand new and working for calls and data?

Did you try the phone call alternative?

You can contact Smarty via web chat.

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Smarty DO have a web chat but business hours and not bank hols. So we just fret away alll that time. Look . Person buys sim. Activates. It’s meant to JUST work everything. No other firm has all these problems . 

[Christo_3291348]

I tried the sim in another phone that we had and whattsapp was previously installed and worked fine.

I deleted whattsapp then tried with the smarty Sim. This failed. Unable to send SMS or call the number.

Installed the old sim in that Android phone and reinstalled Whattsapp. That was able to receive the SMS form Whattapp. 

Smarty SIM will not work in both phones. IOS and Android.

I am now on live chat.

[MSF]

@Christo_3291348 Replacement sim then?

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Yes but not a smarty one they’re a tenner a go ???? Why ??? Cmon?! 

[neiljdo]

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.

[Rebekah_150]

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 

[LynnPLA_3357194]

It’s not WhatsApp issue .  It’s a smarty issue. Thousands confirm that! 

[RowenaB_1464486]

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? 

[Cronie-2015]

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 

[LynnPLA_3357194]

You’ll have a long wait . If it’s not instant it’s not processing . Smarty doesn’t connect to WhatsApp well. 

[RebeccaGUpton]

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

[Rebekah_150]

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.

[Rebekah_150]

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 

[MSF]

@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?

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Yep everyone does that . We try EVERYTHING as the deals are so cheap. But . Mine is in spare phone and will expire and then it’s n/a to me. Gis knows how smarty keep running . Only good for people who don’t use free chat apps . 

[DomAnow_3305153]

I’ve the same issue and it’s not working. I can’t register WhatsApp on my iOS 

[MSF]

@DomAnow_3305153  Have you tried totally deleting the app and then downloading it afresh?

Did you read this article? : https://faq.whatsapp.com/1120385166078156/?helpref=search&query=troubleshooting&search_session_id=db... It can take up to 24 hours to receive the code.

[LynnPLA_3357194]

Yep!!! Tried everything !! But life has to continue and most of us need WhatsApp for work and socials etc 

[DomAnow_3305153]

I’d try all solutions and still wouldn’t work as it tells wait an hour and try again. Been doing it since yesterday I got my smarty sim.This is bad!