Apple ID: About SMS and two-step verification

Summary

Learn more about how SMS works with two-step verification.

Products Affected

Apple ID

When you sign up for two-step verification for your Apple ID, you can choose an SMS-capable phone number to receive text messages with the temporary verification codes Apple uses to verify your identity.

Supported carriers

SMS delivery of verification codes currently works in the following countries with the following wireless carriers:

Country Carrier
Australia Telstra
  Vodafone (VHA)
  Three (VHA)
  Optus 
  Virgin (on Optus)
Ireland Meteor
  Three
  Vodafone
  O2
New Zealand Telecom NZ
  Vodafone
  2degrees
UK Vodafone
  T-Mobile (EE)
  Orange (EE)
  Three
  O2
United States Alltel
  AT&T
  Boost Mobile
  Cricket
  Nextel
  Sprint
  T-Mobile
  U.S. Cellular
  Verizon Wireless
  Virgin Mobile USA

 

Adding or Removing SMS Numbers

To add or remove an SMS-capable number from your account:

  1. Go to My Apple ID (appleid.apple.com), click "Manage your Apple ID," and sign in.
  2. Under Edit Your Apple ID, select "Password and Security."
  3. Under Trusted Devices, select Manage.
  4. Click Add to enter a new SMS-capable number for your Apple ID.
  5. Click Remove next to the verified phone number associated with your Apple ID.

Additional Information

About your privacy

Your privacy is important to Apple. You can view our privacy policy at apple.com/privacy. You can also review our Terms of Use at apple.com/legal/terms/site.html.

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