Shopify Not Sending Verification Code to Your Phone? How to Get Back In

On this page

1. How to get the code or log in without it
2. Edge cases most guides skip
3. FAQs

Shopify is not sending a verification code to your phone because the SMS is delayed or filtered by your mobile carrier, the number on your account is old or entered wrongly, or your phone is blocking messages from unknown short codes; the fastest way back in is a recovery code or an authenticator app.

The steps below cover the login code for your Shopify account (two-step authentication). If customers aren't getting codes to log in to your store, that's a different setting; see the edge cases.

How to get the code or log in without it

1. Wait a minute, then request once more. SMS codes can take a few minutes. Requesting many codes quickly can trigger a temporary limit and makes older codes invalid. Use only the newest one.
2. Check signal and blocking on the phone. Turn airplane mode on and off. Check your phone's spam or "unknown senders" SMS folder. On Android, open Messages, then Spam & blocked. On iPhone, check Settings > Apps > Messages for Filter Unknown Senders.
3. Check DND in India. Transactional OTPs should pass DND (Do Not Disturb) registration, but international senders' messages can still be filtered by Indian carriers. If your carrier app has a DND or spam filter, relax it and retry. If you're travelling, roaming must be on to receive SMS.
4. Use a recovery code. On the code screen, choose the option to try another method and select recovery code. Shopify gave you recovery codes when you set up two-step authentication. Each works once.
5. Use another method you set up. If you added an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy) or a security key, pick it from the same screen.
6. Contact Shopify through the login help flow. If you have no recovery codes and no other method, use the help link on the login screen or help.shopify.com. Shopify will verify ownership, which can take time. Have the store URL, account email and recent billing details ready.
7. Once back in, switch to an app. Go to your Shopify account settings, open Security, and under two-step authentication add an authenticator app or security key. Generate new recovery codes and store them in a password manager. Update the phone number if it changed.

Edge cases most guides skip

• Codes went to a former developer's phone. If an agency or freelancer set up the store under their details, the code goes to them. Ask them to send it or transfer store ownership properly, under Settings > Users. See website ownership checklist for what else to collect.
• Customer login codes. With new customer accounts, customers log in with a code sent to their email, not SMS. If those don't arrive, it's an email deliverability problem; see Shopify emails going to spam.
• Shopify POS or the mobile app. The Shopify app can ask for the same login code. If you're logged in on another device, you may be able to approve the login there.
• Dual-SIM phones. The SMS goes to the SIM with that number. Check that SIM is active and has signal, not just the data SIM.

Beware of scammers. Search results and social media carry fake "Shopify support" phone numbers aimed at locked-out owners. Shopify will never ask you for the code you just received. Only use help links from shopify.com.

If you've just regained access, it's a good time to review staff accounts and apps. Our Shopify developer service can audit who has access and tidy up ownership.

FAQs

Can I turn off SMS codes on Shopify?

You can replace SMS with an authenticator app or security key in your account's Security settings, which is more reliable and safer than SMS.

I lost my recovery codes. What now?

If you're still logged in somewhere, generate new ones in Security settings. If you're locked out, go through Shopify's login help to verify ownership.

Why does the code say expired?

Codes are short-lived and each new request replaces the old one. Request one, wait, and use only the latest.