Codex requires whatsapp
Open 💬 4 comments Opened May 15, 2026 by pjebs
What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?
Latest
What subscription do you have?
None
What platform is your computer?
macos
What issue are you seeing?
I'm trying to use codex for the first time - after using claude.
I want to buy a subscription (Go). I tried to log on and it asked for phone number verification.
I typed in my number. It wants to send a code to whatsapp.
I don't have whatsapp. I don't even have a smart phone. There is no option for the code to be sent by sms.
I sent an email to sales support. Never got a response.
I am based in Australia.
What steps can reproduce the bug?
Logging in for first time from australia.
What is the expected behavior?
_No response_
Additional information
_No response_
4 Comments
I’ve been dealing with the same problem. Since yesterday, I’ve had restrictions in Australia on both the Codex CLI and desktop app, and even when trying to set up SMS authentication on the web. My number has been rate-limited for over 24 hours, and I’m not sure when it’s safe to try again without risking a longer block. This has left me completely locked out of Codex. I even tried my burner phone number, but it wasn’t recognized as valid despite being from a national carrier. Any help would be much appreciated.
<img width="380" height="470" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d0817f82-af72-438c-b7f2-d3b29e374d26" />
<img width="447" height="284" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/920a9905-0f4d-4748-93b4-d5949023d49a" />
I got around it by buying a standard chatgpt go subscription which verified by sms. Then codex worked.
I might give it a shot. Were you able to switch the subscription after auth'ing with Go?
You can buy what ever chatgpt subscription you want. You automatically get codex with chatgpt.