What to Do If You Can’t Receive the Verification Code with a China Phone Number?

In recent years, many users have reported issues receiving verification codes when registering for Telegram with a mainland China phone number. This issue can occur for several reasons:

• Due to the unique network environment in China, the Great Firewall (GFW) blocks Telegram. As a result, users in mainland China cannot directly access, download, register, or use Telegram.
• If your internet connection is unstable, or the VPN you're using does not support Telegram registration (or its nodes are unstable), it may affect the delivery of the verification code.
• Some telecom providers block international SMS or specifically filter messages from Telegram.
• Because some users in China have used Telegram for illegal activities in the past, Telegram has restricted certain +86 phone numbers from registering or logging in. These are the main reasons why verification codes may not be received on Chinese phone numbers. Solutions to Try: If you’re experiencing this issue, here are some possible solutions:
• Use a more reliable VPN: Most Chinese-made VPN tools are not suitable for registering Telegram. Try using a trusted international VPN like ExpressVPN.
• Switch to a different VPN node: Choose a stable and fast server location, such as the U.S., Hong Kong, or Singapore.
• Restart your device and VPN software: A simple reboot can often fix common issues with connectivity and app performance.
• Check SMS filtering settings: Ensure that your phone’s SMS filter is turned off, or add Telegram to the whitelist to avoid blocking messages.
• Contact Telegram support: If none of the above methods work, you can reach out to Telegram’s customer support, explain your situation, and request assistance.