If your LINE verification code is not received, check the number and country first, then your phone's message filters, and stop requesting codes if LINE says you've been temporarily blocked: repeated requests only extend the wait. LINE registers your account to a phone number with a six-digit SMS code, and in some regions it can also read the code to you in a voice call. Below are the fixes in order, plus how to set up your account so a lost number never locks you out.
Who needs LINE
LINE is the everyday messenger in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan. Shops, schools, landlords, clinics and restaurants there often take bookings and answer questions only through LINE, and many brands run their customer service on LINE official accounts. If you live, study, travel or do business in those places, a working LINE account saves a lot of friction.
How LINE verification works
When you register, you choose your country, enter your mobile number and LINE sends a six-digit code by SMS. If the text doesn't arrive, look on the verification screen for an option to receive the code by phone call; availability depends on your region. Once verified, the number is tied to your LINE account and is used again when you move to a new phone.
LINE code not received: fixes
- Check the country and number. Select your country, then enter the number without its leading 0.
- Turn off airplane mode and check signal. SMS needs mobile coverage.
- Check filters. Look in spam, unknown senders and your blocked list for the message.
- Request once and wait. Give it a few minutes before trying again.
- Use the voice call option if your screen offers it.
- Respect the temporary block. If LINE says you're temporarily blocked or should try again later, stop for several hours.
- Contact LINE. If it still fails, use the help center in the app and describe the exact message you see.
Messages and what they mean
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Verification code is temporarily blocked | Too many requests in a short time | Wait several hours to a day, then request once |
| No SMS arrives | Wrong number, filter or coverage | Recheck the number; try the voice call option |
| Number can't be used | Landline or internet-calling number | Use a regular mobile number |
| Code rejected | An older code | Enter only the most recent one |
Internet-calling numbers fail on many apps for the same reason; see non-VoIP vs VoIP numbers.
Travelling to Japan or Thailand
A data-only eSIM can't receive LINE's SMS. Keep your home SIM switched on for texts while you use the eSIM for data; our guide on receiving codes abroad shows the settings. If you're also setting up apps for Korea, our KakaoTalk verification guide covers that one.
Using a one-time number
If your own number can't receive LINE's code, a one-time mobile number can. On smsvar.com you choose LINE and a country, see the price on our prices page, and the code appears on your order screen; if nothing arrives within 20 minutes, the order is cancelled and your balance is refunded.
Plan for the next phone change, though. LINE uses the phone number when you move devices, and a temporary phone number may belong to someone else by then. Right after registering, add an email address and password in LINE's account settings, and switch to your own number if you'll keep the account. One account per person: LINE restricts accounts created in bulk or used for spam.
Moving LINE to a new phone
- Before switching, confirm your email and password are registered in LINE's account settings.
- Back up your chat history using the backup option in the app.
- Follow LINE's account transfer steps on the old phone, then log in on the new one.
- Restore your chats after logging in.
Frequently asked questions
How long is LINE's temporary block on verification codes?
LINE doesn't publish an exact time. Users typically wait several hours, sometimes up to a day. Requesting more codes during the block can extend it, so stop completely and try once later.
Can I register LINE with a number from another country?
Yes, LINE accepts mobile numbers from many countries. Choose the number's country on the registration screen and make sure the number can receive SMS where you are.
Can two LINE accounts use the same number?
No. A phone number is linked to one LINE account at a time. Registering an account with a number that's already in use affects the existing account.
Do I need the old number to move LINE to a new phone?
LINE uses your phone number and the email and password you registered to confirm it's you. That's why setting an email and password right after sign-up matters, especially if you registered with a number you won't keep.
Need a number for LINE's code? Open our virtual number page, choose LINE and a country, and pay only when the code arrives.