Maybe you're currently in a situation where you're having a huge problem logging into Facebook and you're not getting SMS verification codes. This can cause huge problems if you have an account linked to advertising.
According to information directly from FB support, these are issues caused due to GDPR law changes in effect in the European Union. About 40% of all European accounts are now rolled into this situation, some of course are not affected by the problem because they already had two-factor authentication via authentication apps activated
Let's describe two situations my clients have run into and how we were able to resolve the situation.
Client 1
One of the cases was caused by logging out of Facebook on a computer and only staying logged in on the phone. The Facebook account was set up with two-factor verification using the old Facebook authentication app, which is no longer supported.
So, you don't receive any SMS or code from the FB authentication app. You have no way to log in or edit the two-factor authentication settings.
As a login option the client had:
1/ FB Authentication app (not working due to FB no longer supporting it)
2/ SMS (which will not come)
The client tried to solve the whole case with META technical support. However, he can only access it within his personal account after switching to a verified personal account, for which there is a fee of approx. 16€. This is a false path, this technical support is completely useless and could not solve our problem. They constantly switch you to another operator and try to push the problem through their requests to you. In the event that they do meet them, I have been told 2 times that they are not authorized, that I cannot be connected to my account, etc. At best they send you a link to the official help:))
Also tested various tricks like VPN, older devices, old versions of FB, anonymous windows, login via linked IG or linked corporate account etc. Even these techniques didn't solve the problem.
Below we describe the procedure that in the case of this client led to the resolution of the problem:
1/ We took an old "dumb" phone and put in a new number that was never assigned to FB.
2/ Open Facebook, then the main menu via "three commas" -> Settings and Privacy -> Settings -> Notifications -> SMS.
3/ Edit the phone number here and add a new phone number.
4/ Confirm with the received SMS code from the new number.
5/ Delete the primary original phone number that is tied to the two-factor authentication.
6/ Go to settings and Facebook should allow you to select an alternate verification.
7/ Set up the Google Auth. or DUO authentication app and delete any old authentication records (this is very important!!!).
8/ Set up another authentication option (in our case, NFC keychain).
9/ Change the phone number back to the previous one.
10/ Try setting up additional authentication via WhatsApp or other options associated with your smartphone.
Hopefully the instructions will help someone. I'm sure every case will be different, but in the case of the same problem, the instructions will save you many hours of time and hassle. I definitely recommend having at least two options for this verification.
Client 2
The second situation is very similar. A logged out client with a single two-step verification setup and it's through an SMS that doesn't come through. Compared to client 1, he never activated the verification app.
The solution is as follows:
Find in your email that you have connected to Facebook. If you have or have had an active advertising account, you have probably been contacted in the past by the Account Manager they assigned to you. This is a key contact for you in your current situation.
Send a message to this contact below, just fill in the necessary information: Hello,
We are in communication with the Meta Marketing PRO team who asked us to contact support in this way.We ask you to generate 5x one-time codes because our SMS login is not working and the account is blocked. I am sending below the necessary information for this step:Facebook Account: (https://www.facebook.com/zuck)Emails: (mark@fb.com)Phone Number: (+1 111111)Business Manager ID: (1234567)3. Your account manager will then send you 5x disposable login codes to log into your account.
4. Ideally, set up two-factor authentication through Google's verification app right away.
If you're lucky enough, like me, to not have been affected by this issue, I still recommend quickly switching to Google Verification, even if you're still getting verification SMS messages. Facebook is reportedly only gradually rolling out this great new feature to all accounts, but by Q3 this issue should affect all accounts. Please give me feedback in the comments or add your solution to this problem.