Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

A number of business web sites want some sort of confirmation by sending a text message to your cellphone. I give my cellphone number to such websites and then click their button to send a text message to my cellphone. Yet I never get such messages. The latest was my PayPal account, where it wanted to confirm my cellphone number by sending me a confirmation code in a text message to my cellphone. I went through the routine to get the confirmation code as a text message, and yet I never received the text message. However I have received text messages from other people who have my cellphone number, and have replied back by texting. But for some reason, so-called text messages sent by websites to my registered cellphone number I never receive.

Is there some difference between text messages sent from websites and text messages from ordinary users ? Is there some setting on my Torch 9810 that I must set in order to receive text messages sent from websites ?

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Check Settings, Security, Parental Controls for a "text from contacts only" setting on OS10 phones


for a 9810

From the Home screen, tap Settings Settings icon.
Note If not available, swipe down from the top of the display (where the time is located).
2.Tap Security and Privacy Location Settings icon.
3.Tap Parental Controls Parental controls icon.
Note If presented, enter the Parental Controls password then tap OK.
4.Enter the Parental Controls password then tap OK.
5.From the Phone and Text Message Restrictions section, select (check) any of the following:
Note Enabled when a check mark is present.
Phone calls from contacts only
Text messages from contacts only

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Thanks, but Parental Controls are completely unchecked.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I would play around with the options. maybe the software is glitched and doing a change on and off a will correct it.
I played with my 9810 and it does seem to block all non contact text messages. I also tried turning it on then adding one of my verification accounts where it also send a code number and it allowed it to pass as a contact.
The numbers for the contact account seems to be the same each time they send verification codes. the code changes.
Example Paypal uses contact account 23456 and within the text message is the verification code 98765.

Getting the account number will be the hard part if the phone blocks it. You might try adding a second cell phone or changing to another one to see if it does work and then try the account code they use.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

So you can verify that the 9810 blocks all non-contact text messages, but you could never discover why ? That is bad for me as a user of the 9810, but I appreciate that you have verified this bug in the 9810.

What do you mean when you said that you "tried turning it on" ? Do you mean that you chose Parental Controls and then "Text messages from contacts only" and then you added a contact account and verified that you received the text message ? If that is the case how do you specify such a contact account ? Don't you have to know the phone number coming from, let's say PayPal, in order to add such a contact ? The number '23456' is not a phone number AFAIK.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

My text messages from various companies show a 6 or 5 digit number. All I did was put that number in the contact number with a name like bank

I tried playing with the options. on , off etc.

Again I would try to find the number PayPal is using and It wont be a 7 or 10 digit number.
It will be 5 or 6 numbers based on my phone.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Thanks, but I have no idea how to find what number any of these websites actually use when they say that they will send you a text message.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

That's why I suggested using a different phone to see if you can get the number. It will require you too also put in the different number in the companies like PayPal.

Not easy.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Sure, but getting a different cellphone just so I can use my 9810, rather than the other cellphone, seems sort of silly. The only plus from this is that I am used to the 9810 and find that the Android OS is a disaster for me, so even if I purchased a more modern Android OS phone I might not want to use it.

I do wish that someone knew how to fix this bug in the 9810. I do not even know if this bug is only in the 9810 or in all the 9800 series. I guess the 9810 is too old to expect a software fix for this problem.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

My suggestion was only to borrow a phone to test the text and get the numbers.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

For what it's worth, I don't see any difference between SMS from contacts (and spam sometimes) and legit SMS from web services like two-factor authentication codes.

I'm with tsac on the general idea that the answer is something on your end, maybe a setting on the device, or maybe something that has been enabled at the carrier. The parental controls was a good thought, and maybe cycling it on and off is worth a try. But I would also just feel out your carrier's customer service and see what ideas they have.

Putting your SIM in another device and then setting up one of these SMS messages from a website is also a good idea. Borrow a device for a few minutes. See what happens. If the messages makes it through, then that tells you to focus on the device. If the message doesn't get through, that lends weight to assuming the issue is with the carrier vice the device.

My bet, however, is that the issue is with the carrier. If you can test with another device, I would do that before calling the carrier. And when you call the carrier, tell them what you have done as far as troubleshooting.

Good luck.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Thank Ira, I tested by moving my sim to a 9810 I have and played with the "parental control options" and was able to block non contact texts.
Seems like a possibility that the carrier has issues. Hopefully the OP is willing to try the various suggestions.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I do not have another "device". I will contact the carrier (AT&T), although they are enormously difficult to get an intelligent answer from, and see if they know anything.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Thanks for your help. I will contact the carrier.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

A bit of advice when dealing with the carriers. I've experienced a lot of variability with the customer service representatives. I recall one time I called back four times on a problem before it was resolved, and it turned out to be a date entered into the record that was wrong, and the first three representatives never noticed. I've had representatives that just want to get you off the line, and knowledgeable representatives that give you detailed info and solve the problem.

Lesson: Be cooperative, be polite, but be firm. If you have to call back to get a better representative, do it.

Maybe I'm telling you what you already know. But just in case.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I contacted AT&T but got conflicting information from them, First they claimed that I was not getting texts from websites because of some previous Blackberry Inbox, which they no longer support. Then, when I called again asking for clarification, because I do get text messages from individuals, they claimed that it must have something to do with the 9810 and not them, and the only thing they could suggest is that I should reset my phone. When I told them I would lose all my phone's settings and data doing that they suggested I back up everything and then restore it. But I do not know if the Blackberry backup software can do that and naturally I do not want to lose all this data and functionality which I currently have. I really do not think AT&T has any clue to my problem.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Well, it was worth the try.

The last thing to try after you have tried everything else is a clean OS reload. If you had confidence in being able to backup and restore it would be a simple matter. If you have been doing backups and can still do a backup, then odds are you will be able to restore. If you can't do a backup then it's moot. But if you do it, test before you restore.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I received a notice from ATT that they will be changing how they interact with a blackberry device. "supposedly" they will do a change in mid December and they will require users to reload the phone. I have asked if any stored email will be deleted and have not been able to get a clear answer.
With all the changes at Blackberry and the lack of Blackberry's support for carriers including users I suspect ATT may have made changes early in attempts to see if they will have problems.
I have noticed a delay in delivery of messages and emails. It may just be my location or other but something is definitely changing.
And just to add to the confusion the email received and the links given do not offer any clear answers.



the message from ATT

We’re updating the way that you connect your AT&T Yahoo Mail to your BlackBerry device on December 19, 2018. You’re impacted if you use Blackberry 10, BlackBerry 7 or earlier devices.

What this means for you:
Around December 19, you may be asked to sign in again to your AT&T Yahoo Mail account. Then, you will need to complete the below steps. Please make sure to have both your mobile device and a computer available.
Step 1 – Remove your account


You will need to temporarily remove your existing AT&T Yahoo Mail account from your BlackBerry device.


Step 2 – Re-integrate account


You will need to re-integrate the account by following the steps linked below for your device.

https://support.blackberry.com/kb/ar...mber=000013799



A BlackBerry Knowledge Base article on issues using AT&T Yahoo Mail on Blackberry is available. We are also working with BlackBerry on a solution to enable OAuth access for Android BlackBerry devices.
For additional questions or concerns please visit AT&T Community Forums.
Thanks for being an AT&T Yahoo Mail user.
AT&T Yahoo Mail Team

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I only have AT&T as my mobile carrier. I do not use any e-mail accounts from my Torch 9810, and I do not even know if I have an AT&T Yahoo e-mail account simply because AT&T is my mobile carrier. Therefore I do not know how I am affected by what you write above. My main problem is in texting, where I can text back and forth with individuals but do not receive text messages from websites that want to verify my phone number and/or identity to them.

Unfortunately the geniuses at AT&T have now decided, as an extra measure of "security", that you can not even login to your account anymore without first entering a text message code which they send to your cellphone. I have been back and forth with AT&T about this latter problem a number of times and they promise a resolution. In the meantime the original problem of this thread seems to have no resolution, but AT&T told me they have escalated that problem report also, not that I even expect a solution from them about it.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

If you do not use the phone except for calls and texting I would try the suggestion aiharkness suggested and do a complete OS replacement.
Just make sure you have any info copied or written down you may need like passwords etc.

The link is here

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...languages.html

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I've received the same emails (for Yahoo email, AT&T email hosted by Yahoo, and Bellsouth email hosted by Yahoo). So far as I can tell, what triggered these notices is a record of accessing the Yahoo email servers via BlackBerry or BlackBerry device. And it is just a thing with Yahoo email. (My mobile carrier is T-Mobile.)

As far as the OP, if it were me and I could live without the text messages from the web services that are not being received, or if there is a workaround, I think I would try and avoid reloading the OS. I guess it would depend what and how much data is on the BlackBerry and only on the BlackBerry. But on the other hand, not being able to backup and restore is a disaster waiting to happen, and should be mitigated ASAP.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I can use the Blackberry Desktop Software Windows application to backup my Blackberry data to my computer's hard drive. I choose to backup everything, but I am not sure this include all my Blackberry data. When I click on Media Options I get the message "A problem occurred while attempting to connect to your Blackberry device" even though the application is clearly connected to my Blackberry Torch 9810 and I am able to backup my 'full' data. So does this mean that everything is actually backed up and can be restored, including all my contacts, calendar information, media files, and applications, including my icon setup ?

The question then is if I should try:

1) Resetting the device and then restoring all my data
2) Reinstalling the OS and then restoring all my data
3) Just reinstall the OS

The link to the latest OS, from http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...languages.html shows a release that is actually less recent than the current release I have on the Blackberry Torch 9810, even though it claims to be the latest release, which seems odd to me. My current release says '7.1 Bundle 2061 (v7.1.0.714, Platform 5.1.0.532' and the release in the link above says 7.0.0.2406 which looks clearly earlier than my present release.

So you can see with my not being sure all my data, applications, and icon positions are restorable from my 'full' backup, and my not being sure that the so-called latest OS for my device is actually better than what I have currently installed, that I am really reticent to make drastic changes and lose my current Torch 9810 functionality.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I came across this thread on the T-Mobile forums.....

https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/148985

The problem there is the same as here. It is the sort of thing I had in mind, and what I had hopes of the customer service rep drilling down on.

Yes, it's T-Mobile, but it's the concepts I'm pointing at: Blocks on accounts, short codes.

If the problem was with one particular company, I'd say the company. If the problem is general, and the phone receives texts from regular phone contacts, I still think the problem is on the carrier side; maybe a block that the user set or requested, but on the carrier side as opposed to a setting on the phone.

I would call customer service again. I know it seems like a waste of time, but this is you best path still. Ask if there are any blocks enabled for your line. Mention the companies that you have requested send SMS to you.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Upfront, see my earlier post just now. I would hold off on reloading the OS.

Now, it's been a long time for me since I worked with legacy BlackBerry devices. Is the Media Options you mention in the backup options, or is it a separate setting for media sync? If it is not part of the backup settings, I would ignore it for now. See if backup will run and complete. If it doesn't, or errors out, don't be surprised, given the changes since and the fact that support was stopped a long time ago. But if you can do a backup, then do it, and repeat regularly while you figure out what you are going to do.

As far as I recall, the backup (if it runs and completes) will backup all data and settings locally on the device. After you reload the OS you may have to reinstall apps, and the apps will download whatever they download after an app is installed. The app settings you previously set will probably be backed up and then restored when you restore. My memory is the devices was like before after a restore.

To be clear on a point, the meaning of a clean OS reload has to do with testing after the OS reloaded before you do anything else, in case whatever problem is reintroduced when the backup is restored. If the problem doesn't occur when clean, but reappears after the restore, then the conclusion is the problem is in data or a setting that was on the device beforehand.

If you go this far, the desktop software should give you the latest OS released by the carrier. If you installed an OS released by another carrier, then it may be older or newer than what the desktop software presents to you.

Anyway, as I say, I would do the backup, if possible, but hold off on the OS reload. Give you carrier's customer service another try, and ask if you have any blocks enabled on your line. Bring up short codes. And mention the companies that you have requested send you SMS.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Considering that AT&T themselves, when I was talking to one of their agents on the phone, tried to send me a text and I failed to receive it, I think it is impossible that they are blocking themselves. Thanks for the suggestion nonetheless.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I am pretty sure that the OS on my Torch 9810 is released by Blackberry, not the carrier AT&T. Can I really be wrong about this ? Would AT&T have actually released an OS version for my Blackberry 9810 ?

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Ultimately, the OS was tested and released to user by the carrier*. Yes, BlackBerry released the OS packages to the carriers, but the end users receive the OS software from the carrier (unless the user purposely obtains and installs another carrier's OS software).


* With BB10, user's who purchased unlocked, unbranded devices direct from BlackBerry did receive OS updates direct from BlackBerry, independent of the carrier. If the user reloaded the OS, it came from BlackBerry if the device was unbranded. In the case of legacy devices, there probably were exceptions, but consumers who purchased branded devices received OS software and upgrades from the carrier not direct from BlackBerry. When you connect a legacy device to the desktop software, the software reads the device and delivers upgrades or OS reloads based on the carrier branding, and the options presented to you will be what the carrier released.



As far as T-Mobile sending you a text, you didn't mention that earlier. But still, don't overestimate the competence of customer service. I would ask the question this way. Assume for the moment the problem is not on your end. What else could it be on the carrier's end? Then have the carrier's customer service rep rule each one out. If the problem isn't on your end, what would be the possible reasons you didn't receive the carrier's text? Ask them to try again, and double check make sure they are sending to your correct number. The larger point is politely push the customer service rep to think of possible alternatives besides offloading the problem back on you.

If the customer service rep says there is absolutely no reason on their end for you not receiving their text, then I guess you have to conclude the problem is on your side. It would certainly be better if you could test with another device and your SIM before you do something like reloading the OS.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Not T-Mobile. AT&T. They said they would escalate the issue and get back to me withion 5 days. All I can do is give them some time and then bother them again if I do not hear from them. I have just spent too much time on the phone with them already.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

This is not about others. It is about receiving text messages from web sites asking for verification via some code they will send to you. If you have some general issue about not being able to text, please start your own topic. I can text back and forth with individuals via direct phone numbers without any problems.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Another thought, going back to tsac's idea. Here's a test. Pick a contact that you are receiving. Delete them from your address book. Do a hard reset (remove the battery for a moment with the power on). Have your friend send you a text. See if you receive or not. Let's assume you don't receive it. Add the friend back to your address book. Do a hard reset. Have friend send a text again.

If you do the test and you don't receive the text when you don't have the friend in your address book, then tsac is on the money as far as what is happening. The questions will then be why, and how to correct it.

As far as AT&T, I don't think you mentioned before that they are going to look at it. Did they create a ticket, and perhaps give you a ticket number? I agree, though, give them the 5 days.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

That's maybe an important detail. If someone not in your address book sends you text to your number from their phone, do you receive it? Where I'm going is the question of whether this is an issue with short codes. At any rate, I'd be interested in results if you run the test I mention in other post.

I'm going to send you a PM.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

As far as your test is concerned: I am a programmer and have been working on a program which sends AT commands directly to a phone number and receives text messages from that phone number. The program has no problems doing so with my cellphone even though the program's "phone number" is not in my address book.

As far as AT&T is concerned they did not give me a ticket number. The actual problem that they promised to get back to me about within 5 days is that I can no longer login to my wireless acount online because it now requires sending a text code to the customer's wireless phone, which I do not receive. They stated that I was not the only one negatively affected by this new functionality which they recently added to their online login process. A previous call about the general problem of not getting text messages from a website, including theirs, was "elevated" according to them but there was no promise by them to get back to me about it.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Interesting. So, what do you think about short codes possibly being part of the problem? What other difference(s) could there be between the SMS messages you receive and those you don't receive?

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Your guess is as good as mine <g>. You seem to be saying that SMS text messages work but other types of text messages do not. Is there some setting on my 9810 that controls that ? Should I be asking AT&T about whether they are only allowing SMS text messages to work in my phone plan with them ? I would think that when AT&T themselves tried to text me and I did not receive their text message that they might have realized that the problem was about SMS text messages as opposed to text messages in general and looked at my plan with them to see if it was about their blocking all text messages which were not SMS text messages.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

The only likely possibility I could think of with the phone is parental controls, as tsac mentioned first, but which you have ruled out, I think. That is, it isn't an issue of receiving or not receiving messages from sends in your address book or not.

Regarding short codes, I know the messages I get from T-Mobile show short codes as the sender instead of full phone numbers. Same thing with the two-factor verification codes I get from other services. I assume AT&T does the same thing, and that when they sent the test message to you it would have displayed to you as a short code for the sender. I don't know the differences in the case of short codes over regular SMS/MMS sent from a phone. I've wondered if maybe short codes are like personalized license plate, or custom PIN's. Maybe there is a glitch in that registry at AT&T, except there shouldn't be a problem with their short code in their own registry. So, I really have no idea, but it seems a factor, and that is part of what makes me wonder if that this key to the problem. And yes, I would have expected AT&T to clue in on this, and maybe they have and that is what they are looking at, or one of the things.

I don't recall on the legacy BBOS, maybe it is there, but on BB10 in the SMS/MMS settings there is an option for Routing Preference (Packet Switched/Circuit Switched/Packet Switch Preferred/Circuit Switch Preferred). It wouldn't hurt to play with this, if it is there in BBOS, though I doubt it is the issue. For me SMS/MMS work on the mobile network either way, and the difference is when on wi-fi calling.

Now that I'm thinking more outside the box, something else you can try, if you have the option in BBOS, is change the Network Mode. I don't think this should make a difference in your case, but at this point try what you can and see what happens. (What makes me think of this is I have had problems sending texts in some locations, rarely, and the solution is changing the Network Mode from 4GLTE & 4G/3G & 2G to something else. It's a different problem than you are having, but there is a hint of possibility.)

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-sms-short-code.htm

I was way off on short codes as far as what they are. But not yet ruling out as a factor in the problem.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Thank you everybody for your help. The problem was solved with the help of aiharkness. It turns out that while I had the Firewall disabled, the option below it ,which said Block Incoming Messages: Text Messages, was enabled and it said "630 blocked". How this can be enabled while the general Firewall is disabled I do not know. Anyway, after enabling the Firewall, then disabling the text message blocking, then disabling the Firewall, I can now receive text messages from websites as well as anyone directly texting me.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Thanks for following up and posting the solution.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Learn something every day, Thanks Ira

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

I'm mad at myself for not thinking of firewall settings. Should have. Just out of practice I guess.

Anyway, I'm pleased the OP figured it out.

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Maybe were getting too old and forgetful. I never thought of the firewall setting also.:-(

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Is there some difference between text messages sent from websites and text messages from ordinary users ? Is there some setting on my Torch 9810 that I must set in order to receive text messages sent from websites ?

Re: Not receiving text messages from web sites
 

Text messages sent to a cell phone's number are usually received. you can try a test yourself. There a few sites that will send text messages from your computer. One is Google voice. There are others.