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Cannot verify log. Wants to send SMS to Apple Watch Number.

When I try to log into verizon.com it is wanting to send a SMS verification to my Apple Watch "phone number" which is a Number Share and does not have SMS send capability directly to the number associated with the watch. I am not sure where in settings to change this so it sends the SMS to the main device number. I did upgrade my phone from an iPhone 15 pro to an iPhone 16 pro on Friday and I am not sure if this had anything to do with this issue.

Comments

Verizon_Support

The upgrade can have something to do with the verification message but, i would like to look more into this with you and see how we can get this fixed. A private messag has been sent so you can respond.

-Bryan

SynthpopAddict

Can you disable the Number Share, then re-pair the iPhone 16 to the watch before turning back on Number Share? I'm prepaid, so don't have this feature. If you can't do that, then it's something on Verizon's side.

kmbert

I am having the same issue now. I just upgraded Monday from 14 to 16 pro. I can log into the Verizon app on my phone just fine, but I can't log into web browser without having to get a verification code...sent to my "apple watch" phone number (Shared). Did you have any luck? I was on the phone for an hour with tech and they finally created a ticket.

Verizon_Support

Thank you for reaching out to us on this platform. To better assist you, please tell us a little more. Did you also upgrade your Apple Watch? Did you unpair the Watch from the iPhone 14?

~Maria

kmbert

Did you ever find a solution to this gentleman's issue with logging in and verification being sent to apple watch with it's own number with Verizon? I upgraded Monday from 14 to 16 Pro and I can log into the Verizon app on my phone no problem. But when I try to log into verizon.com on a web browser...I get an alert that I need to be verified and they prompt me by saying they will send verification code to Number ending in ....Which is my apple watch. The notifications don't ever come through on the Apple watch. So I can't make any account changes that require web browser. I was on the line with Verizon rep for an hour this morning. He finally created a ticket number and hoping to get a solution, but could be next week. Any suggestions?

kmbert

I did not upgrade my Apple watch. Just the iphone. I'm not sure if the rep at Verizon unpaired my apple watch from my 14. He did a factory reset. I did however repair it with my 16. I'm getting notifications for all other apps. I made sure all push notifications are on. It is only when I try to log into an actual web browser using verizon.com. I'll add photo of what the issue is. I do my log in ID and password and then it pops up with this screen shot of needing to verify my identify. The number ending in ***** is the actual cellular number to my apple watch that I pay for through verizon. Any time I try to have them send the code....the notification will not appear on my apple watch. It also won't let me change the place to send the code to. No drop down, the only option is sending it to my watch ending in *****. I need to have that verification info changed.

Verizon_Support

Typically when secondary verification is necessary, the notification is going to be sent to a device on the account that has been active for more than 30 days as a safety measure. We are happy to look further into this with you should you need assistance. Let us know, we are always here to help

-Anthony

vaskelis

Same exact issue. Brand new to Verizon. Been on the phone for hours with Verizon Support, who ultimately said go to a store and they can fix it. Went to a store, they just had me call support and the merry-go-round kept going around. I think I'm going to cancel the Verizon service on our watches because it screws up the account so much to have it. Regretting moving to Verizon, as my old provider was just fine although the coverage was less strong in our home. Was also drawn over for the NFL Sunday Ticket promotion, where I still haven't received a way to redeem the promotion! Just a bag of pain.

Verizon_Support

Hello MrZarniwoop, we want to help review your SMS to watch issue. So, we can better assist, we will be reaching out via Private Message.

-Sarge

kandersen4@gmail.com

I'm having the same issue and about to cancel over this. Replaced Iphone this weekend, trying to activate watch cellular via the app but the login code will only send to my watch # which I cannot see. Can anyone help??

Verizon_Support

We never want to see you go, kandersen4. Did you get a new watch? Before the new iPhone were you able to use the watch hen away from the iPhone?

-Joe

kandersen4@gmail.com

The watch is the same, I merely replaced my iPhone. Please help as I’ve been on the phone with CS for hours and went to corporate store with no help. We’ve tried resetting my profile and repairing the watch to the phone. I can’t even log in via desktop because it’s sending the code to my watch number!

Verizon_Support

We definitely want to get your new phone working with the watch. I am sending you a Private Message if you will please reply there we can gather some personal account details and work together to get this fixed for you.

-Kaye

ccaylor

Hello, I'm having the exact same issue as everyone above. I was just speaking to a representative and this wasn't resolved. Same issue, I just upgraded my phone yesterday to a new iphone 16. I'm unable to login to the verizon browser as its trying to send a verification code to the number associated with my apple watch. To answer questions that have been asked of other:

1. I only upgraded the phone. The watch is not new.

2. The watch has cellular and was paired with my old iphone. I have now unpaired it and repaired it with my new iphone.

Verizon_Support

We understand it's important to get logged in online. Two factor authentication will not be allowed to any phone lines with a recent device change. The watch being paired to the phone is setup to receive the same messages as the phone and therefore cannot receive messages sent to it specific assigned number. We are happy to help with anything we can on your account in the meantime. Please reach out if we can directly assist, we are always here for you.

-Anthony

ccaylor

I understand that my watch cannot receive any messages... thats the crux of the issue. That's still not stopping the Verizon system from continuously attempting to send these notifications and there is nothing I can do on my end. If it is an issue where both my actual phone lines are too new to receive two factor authentication notifications, then approximately how long will it take before the Verizon system actually sends notifications to a functional number?

Verizon_Support

We hope you are enjoying your new phone. Normally within 7-14 days, you will be able to receive a secure pin sent to a line where the device has been changed. We are happy to assist you with any questions you may have on your account in the meantime. -Dee

No_interest

I'm having exactly the same problem. The verification text is being sent to my Apple Watch's number share "phone number" which doesn't have the capability to receive messages, making it impossible to get cellular activated on my watch. How does this not authenticate with the Verizon app on the phone instead of sending texts to a non-existent number? Nowhere on my account do I list my watch's pseudo phone number as a contact point. It's extremely frustrating that Verizon doesn't have handling in place for this. The glib answer they have below of just "wait 30 days" is really bad.

mbellis496

same issue, chatting with vzw support through twitter with no resolution after 1+ hrs, telling me its an apple issue or device issue... not at all its a Verizon issue trying to send secure pins to a fake watch number that doesn't exist when you use number share.

No_interest

It's frustrating enough to start looking elsewhere TBH. I saw a reddit post of someone with the same problem as us. Switched a phone over and then tried to switch a watch over, and now verification texts go to the number share.

That person tried calling, and support said to go to a store. At the store they told the poster they couldn't do anything. So the store called support and got the response that the block on the main phone could clear up in 3 days or so. By my count so far, Verizon support has said 3 days, 7-14 days, and 30 days as possible wait times to clear up this problem and actually be able to activate a watch on cellular after switching phones. It's just bonkers that they haven't accounted for this problem with their service, and can't even agree on how long they're going to lock people out.

robertscott56

That usually happens when Verizon’s 2FA system gets confused after a device upgrade and defaults to the Number Share line instead of your primary number. The quickest fix is to log in through a desktop browser and update your Two-Factor Authentication / Security settings in your Verizon account so that SMS codes go to your main phone line.

If that doesn’t work, you can also try removing and re-enrolling your Apple Watch in Number Share from the My Verizon app. A lot of people have reported that after upgrading to a new iPhone, Verizon needs to refresh which line is tied to SMS delivery.

If nothing else works, customer support can reset the 2FA preferences on their end.

Verizon_Support

We understand the importance of receiving notifications on your preferred line. You can manage your preferences on our website or mobile app. Please confirm the correct phone number is listed in your My Verizon account settings.

Via My Verizon Website:

Sign in to your My Verizon account.
Go to Account > Account settings > Communication preferences.
Under the "Service preferences" or "Notification preferences" section, click Manage.
Here, you can select your preferred method for receiving notifications (SMS text or push notification).
If you change the phone number associated with your account, any new verification codes will be sent to the updated number.

Via My Verizon app:

Open the My Verizon app and sign in.
Navigate to your account settings to find communication or notification preferences.
Ensure that push notifications are enabled for the app in your phone's settings.
You can then manage which notifications you receive via text message.

Let us know how it goes.

~Maria

Jjb123

I figured this out on my end. I did not have two factor authentication set up, so I think when registering my Apple Watch, it would default to the dummy number of the watch. I logged in from a separate browser on a separate device and I turned two factor authentication on sending it to my real cell phone number. It took about a day for this to register, but the next day I was able to verify my login for the watch with the proper cell phone number.

Jjb123

On a separate device, login and make sure you have two factor authentication set up to your real cell phone number. Then go back in a day later, cause it can take a day for this to register, and try this again. I think the issue is that if you don’t have it set up, it defaults to the dummy number tied to the watch. But if you do this beforehand and wait a day, it should work.

robertscott56

That makes a lot of sense—thanks for sharing what worked for you. It sounds like the missing 2FA setup was what caused Verizon’s system to treat the Apple Watch line as the default for codes. Good call on enabling two-factor and forcing it to point to your real number.

Also useful to know it can take up to a day for the change to fully sync across Verizon’s systems. This will definitely help others running into the same issue after upgrading or re-enrolling devices.

Tmapp4

I just upgraded today and having this same issue! It is absolutely ridiculous that Verizon can’t fix this or even know how long it will take to fix. I use my Apple Watch service all the time without my phone around and now I can’t activate the service. In my opinion it’s unacceptable

Verizon_Support

We want to ensure the steps provided in thread were successful when activating your watch. We will send you a private message to assist further.

-Toni

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