GovWire

Guidance: Getting a security code for GOV.UK One Login

Government Digital Service

February 2
13:44 2024

When you create your GOV.UK One Login, you can choose to get security codes by text message or authenticator app.

If you do not receive a security code by text message

You can try having the code sent again by selecting the send the code again link.

You can also try using an authenticator app to get a security code instead of a text message.

If youre creating your GOV.UK One Login, you should check you have entered the phone number correctly and enter it again if not. You can do this by selecting the use a different phone number link.

If you still do not receive the code, it could be because:

  • your phone has no reception
  • the sender of the text message has been blocked on your device

Getting a code if you have a non-UK phone number

To get a security code by text message if your phone number is registered outside the UK, select I do not have a UK mobile phone number when you are asked to enter a phone number.

If you do not receive a security code by email

  1. Check that youve entered your email address correctly.
  2. Check your spam or junk folder.
  3. Try again and select the Send the code again link.
  4. If youre using a work or business email address, check with your IT team to make sure that emails from GOV.UK One Login are not being blocked or restricted.

You can also try using a different email address.

If your security code does not work

There are a few reasons why the code you are entering may not work. Check that:

  • you entered it correctly
  • if you requested more than one code, that youre entering the most recent code
  • it has not expired - the code will expire after 15 minutes

If you received a security code and did not request it

If you received a security code by text or email from GOV.UK One Login and were not expecting it, this might be because someone is trying to sign in to your GOV.UK One Login. If this happens, you can change your password to keep your GOV.UK One Login secure.

More about how to change your password.

If you received an unexpected security code and do not have a GOV.UK One Login, you can ignore it.

Published 26 October 2023
Last updated 2 February 2024 +show all updates
  1. Added guidance about what to do if receive a unexpected security code for GOV.UK One Login

  2. Added translation

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