SMS's not coming through - MTN

D

divv

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Hi folks, I don't know if anyone has some suggestions for solving my problem.

My phone for some reason seems to be losing the SMS settings, in that messages are just not arriving.
I have done *123*12# - sometimes this seems to have no effect (I don't get any response) ; other times I get a message saying the settings have been received, I select save, and restart the phone (as per the MTN instructions) but then a short time later when I do a test, I see the messages are not coming through again.

I have also tried: resetting the cache in Messages and in Truecaller.
I have removed and replaced the SIM.
I have reset network settings.

If it weren't that my banking confirmations and similar came through on SMS I wouldn't care too much, but for those times an SMS is needed.

For the sake of giving complete information, the phone is a OnePlus 7T. It just came back from having its screen replaced, and the problem only seems to have shown up since then, but I can't see how this would affect the SMS receiving..

Thanks.
 
divv said:
My phone for some reason seems to be losing the SMS settings, in that messages are just not arriving.
Click to expand...
I get that often lately. Often have to re-request a OTP that then come in immediately. I do not run any call/sms filtering.

Only thing I can think of is that I removed all APN's except Afrihost. I never send or receive MMS's, but this maybe affecting SMS?
 
Last edited:
I've also deleted all APN's except Afrihost..
As an update: today I did receive a message from Takealot, and when I looged directly into Virgin Money I got a notification, so there may also be an issue with my budget app (22seven) that it isn't getting through.
 
@divv Any luck?

Long delays in receiving SMSs

Does anyone else experience that it takes an inordinate amount of time to receive some messages? It is especially annoying when I have to get an OTP. By the time I get the OTP the website has timed out. It happens with Standard Bank, Microsoft and now also Amazon. I am on Telkom mobile. With...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
Dairyfarmer - its very miss or hit - sometimes they come through and sometimes not.
I've had friends send test messages - sometimes they arrive from one person and not another.
But in my case (compared to the thread you mentioned) its not really a "delay" - they either come almost immediately or not at all.
 
divv said:
they either come almost immediately or not at all.
Click to expand...
Had a hell of a time transferring money last week on SB. Said it send OTP. I waited 60 second and nothing, so clicked resend. An SMS came through immediately but it was the previous on, so I was always one OTP behind. So I tried again the next day and it was fine.

None of my Nedbank SMS's are coming through. I was in the big city yesterday and used my credit card about 6 times. From R300 to R6000. No one SMS.
 
@divv
Had almost no SMS's come through last week.

Tested:
Telkom to MTN = received immediately
MTN to MTN = nothing even after a week. Retested today = nothing
Eskom to MTN = immediately
Nedbank to MTN = nothing
SAPS to MTN = nothing
MTN customer service to MTN = immediately. Requested MMS and Internet setting. They sent the following:

1597667461996.png 1597667483582.png
 
@divv
Ok I managed to get hold of a human at MTN
135
Option 1 (for lost or stolen phones)
Option 2 (for blacklisting)
Option 0 (3rd option after all the blurb)

First they told me to dial #330*0000# to remove any baring. Mine came up with an error so I phoned back. They checked and no baring.
They told me to check the message centre number in my SMS app. It should be +27831000113. Mine was +27831000001 or something.
Next turn phone off for 15 minutes and try. Mine is off now and I'll try again at 16:00
 
@Dairyfarmer thanks for the input.
My message Centre was already set to ...113.
I have just input the code you sent, it tells me barring has been canceled.
I'll see if it makes any difference in the next few days.
 
Hi guys, old thread revival time. My son has a sim only deal with mtn, he has data, but when he sends a whats app or receives whats apps there is a massive delay, like in half a day, what the flip is going on? Is it internet settings i must check / change? Where do i start? Calling mtn, holding on for ages, or has others had the same issues?
 
I too must revive this thread. Good lord it's frustrating when one needs an OTP. I have tried changing the message centre setting to the above number to no avail.. Any ideas?
No spam blocking apps, not showing in blocked messages, inbox not full, signal present, etc.
WTF MTN????
 
I upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy A35 and couldnt get any SMS, its weird, near my home, I wouldnt get any SMSs, but sometime when I move away from home, it seems to connect and I would get some SMSs.

I was playing around now and changed the Network Mode from 5G/LTE/3G/2G to just LTE/3G/2G without 5G and SMSs are now flooding through. My wife asked me whats wrong with my phone as it was beeping like crazy...

Its a downgrade but SMSs are atleast coming through
 
Was this ever resolved? I have tried everything in this thread. Does anyone know if number porting to another network solve this?
 
Found this on the MTN website:

SMS restriction for Newly Activated prepaid customers from 18 October 2024​

SMS Restrictions​

Read time: 1 min, 7 sec
What are these restrictions?
Newly activated prepaid customers are required to make a once-off recharge of at least R5 airtime or bundle to receive SMSs from non-MTN services.
How does it work?
When you activate your Prepaid SIM, you’ll get all the usual MTN activation messages. But, to receive messages from non-MTN services (like OTPs), you'll need to recharge with a minimum of R5. This can be done through airtime or bundle purchases.
• Recharge reminder: You’ll get a notification prompting you to recharge with at least R5 to enable your SMS service for non-MTN messages.
• Once-off only: The R5 recharge is only required once, and you can use the airtime for any MTN service – whether it’s making calls, sending SMSs, or browsing the internet.
For any help, simply dial 135.

Im assuming Vodacom is also doing the very same thing!
 
RedhotNeo said:
Found this on the MTN website:

SMS restriction for Newly Activated prepaid customers from 18 October 2024​

SMS Restrictions​

Read time: 1 min, 7 sec
What are these restrictions?
Newly activated prepaid customers are required to make a once-off recharge of at least R5 airtime or bundle to receive SMSs from non-MTN services.
How does it work?
When you activate your Prepaid SIM, you’ll get all the usual MTN activation messages. But, to receive messages from non-MTN services (like OTPs), you'll need to recharge with a minimum of R5. This can be done through airtime or bundle purchases.
• Recharge reminder: You’ll get a notification prompting you to recharge with at least R5 to enable your SMS service for non-MTN messages.
• Once-off only: The R5 recharge is only required once, and you can use the airtime for any MTN service – whether it’s making calls, sending SMSs, or browsing the internet.
For any help, simply dial 135.

Im assuming Vodacom is also doing the very same thing!
Click to expand...


I saw this too, made the required purchase to receive non-MTN msg's. NO difference.

Yesterday, after using the suggested code 'unbarring' code, ensured the sms service center number was correct + ALL suggestions! No luck.

So, went to an MTN store... No luck. Bought a new sim card HE put in my phone. SAME ISSUE. So irritating!
 
Had the worst experience with MTN... Still having it. Beside from sounding like the "Champions" don't want to be there, they either drop the call the minute you get through. I have month to month contract with MTN for home internet. I got it just before Christmas, had to phone 135 for the cellphone number. I need to attach it to the MTN app so I can see how much we are using. I have a big family. When I enter the router cell number in to do the once off OTP it gives me my contacts contact number for the OTP. That would have been fine if they hadn't swooped the 2 digits around. Phone 135 alot to eventually get someone tell me that the contact number they had wasn't the one the app was showing. It was the right one. I went and bought a mtn pre paid Sim and gave MTN the new number as a contact number. Didn't change anything... I still get the same number. The part that throws me for a loop is that I use wifi from the router but I can't use ussd on the router "not supported". I have so many tickets that was opened and closed that I am fed up. I am tempted to cancel the contract and go to mweb for the exact same package lolol. With MTN. I always understood why MTN was expensive. It was worth every cent unfortunately that has changed over the years. A pity bc they really do have good signal but if I can't see who is using a certain amount of data and how much has gone through before I get throttled what I the point.
 
The part that throws me for a loop is that I use wifi from the router but I can't use ussd on the router "not supported".
Click to expand...
I have an old Huawei B315-936s. If it is set the network mode to 4G only, USSD and sms's don't work.
I have to set 3G/4G auto and then it works.
I see now on MTN's site there is a whatsapp option to get balances. Send "Balance" to 0831230011. I suppose you would have to do that while connected to the wifi on the router (using the router's data connection)
 
Be
ajax said:
I have an old Huawei B315-936s. If it is set the network mode to 4G only, USSD and sms's don't work.
I have to set 3G/4G auto and then it works.
I see now on MTN's site there is a whatsapp option to get balances. Send "Balance" to 0831230011. I suppose you would have to do that while connected to the wifi on the router (using the router's data connection)
Click to expand...
Been doing that but as i said. I have a large family. Infinally got the used activates on the router by buying R5 airtime. Still doesn't give me how much is used. I have tried the technicians and even they are stumped. I am holding thumbs that the technician will be able to see the problem. I am have been considering to go over to fiber. Might be a more viable option for the kids.
 
ajax said:
I have an old Huawei B315-936s. If it is set the network mode to 4G only, USSD and sms's don't work.
I have to set 3G/4G auto and then it works.
I see now on MTN's site there is a whatsapp option to get balances. Send "Balance" to 0831230011. I suppose you would have to do that while connected to the wifi on the router (using the router's data connection)
Click to expand...
The whatsapp isnt very helpful. Hate using it.
 
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