Can't Setup Two-Step Verification

[Kenneth-071]

I've been trying for two days now to setup two-step verification on my Samsung account to no avail. What happened was I recently factory resetted my phone (Galaxy A71) and I'm trying to restore my data that was previously backed up to Samsung Cloud before the reset. The phone informs me that I must setup two-step verification in order to be able to restore the backed up data but when I try to do so, I get to the point where it says that the verification code has been sent to my phone via SMS, only problem is, I never actually receive any text message with the code.

No matter how many times I've tried, I just don't receive any message with the code via SMS. At this point, I'm beginning to wonder whether the SMS is even being sent at all despite what the UI is stating. I wonder this because WhatsApp didn't seem to have any trouble verifying my phone via SMS when I was re-installing my apps and setting them up. I don't seem to be the only person that is experiencing this issue either, lots of topics on here tells of many others not receiving their SMS also.

To me, this is clearly an issue on your end, either with your software, servers or both. Come on! it shouldn't be this frustrating to utilize Samsung's services.

I feel as though this issue could have been prevented if SMS wasn't the sole option for completing the two-step verification process. Why are there no other options for this, such as a QR code that one can scan with an authenticator app and pair it with the account to receive codes that way instead? Putting all your eggs in the SMS basket is foolish IMO.

Anyway, It would be greatly appreciated if anyone can provide a solution to this problem. I've already tried the suggestions from other topics, but to no avail sadly.

[Alkouh]

I tried that several times with the international code (+) and without it and receive nothing but when I erase the suggested (+) and put (00) in place of it .. it worked 

[Baysider]

@Alkouh  yes it does not work with the + included.
Once you select your country code from the drop-down menu on the first line, you only need to put your local number in the next line. 

[duty81]

Yes I have long suspected it was a Digicel thing. When they 1st entered my country I availed myself with a digicel number as a secondary phone and digital identity, attempting to keep professional and personal separate. But whenever it came to two step verification I always received the Bmobile SMS and was left wanting from Digicel. I soon abandoned the idea of using them. 

Until they had bundled fiber optic Tv and communication packages with discounts for porting my bmobile number. I was sure to ask about the reliable receipt of international SMS codes, for which I good a positive confirmation, and I ported. Now I have to rely on my wife's phone whenever SMS two step verification is insisted upon. I will like for samsung to utilise a secondary email option for those of us unable to receive SMS.

[Baysider]

@duty81  I don't think its a network issue. I'm with Vodafone in Australia and had the same problems, but all the solutions are in this thread now. 

[AliToca]

Solution provided by kalmian worked for me.

Thanks for sharing!

[darwindel26]

I tried this but no lock setting on my phone S9. I am having same issue and tried to get support but no reply

[MarkB77]

Seems like the issue has been resolved, for me at least. Instead of getting a SMS text that I'm supposed receive, I now get a new Internet pop-up with a code. I've also saved Backup codes just in case.

[JAMES4578]

Hi @MarkB77 , glad your issue has been solved.  Whilst SMS is one options for 2 Step Verification,  I think an Authenticator app offers greater security and flexibility. https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/17/15772142/how-to-set-up-two-factor-authentication 

This thread should also be helpful https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/mobile-apps-services/tip-keep-your-samsung-account-safe-and-secu... 

[schroef]

Nope has nothing to do with this issue. The 2 step verification seems to be failing on Android devices with lower OS than v8.  Its really retarded implementation of a 2 step verification.

You "solution" is only for the hardware to lock.

[schroef]

Stll not working... i already had it working on desktop. The  ussue is when using account > samsung account on my S6 using Nougat. First step is ID + password, then second setups it asks again for ID + password. Here is were it keep failing.