Two-factor authentication and confirmation text delay on iPhone 17 Pro after update 26.0.1

I went to Manage Filtering and saw that while I don't filter unknown numbers I did filter Spam. I checked Spam but none of the codes were delivered there. I turned off Spam filtering and then tested again. The SMS message with 2FA code was delivered immediately. I hope this helps.

Again, the sms data does not go through Apple servers. You think the text comes into your iPhone and arbitrarily it doesn’t display it for 7 hours?

Carriers write and push to the modem’s the carrier’s setting software on the modem. It’s possible a carrier update is needed. It’s possible an internal carrier setting is incorrect. But Apple can not change it or even have access once activated on a network.

macwiz wrote:

SMS may be SMS, but some interaction between os26 and network is causing the auth codes to delay. It's not your iPhone 17, it's the OS that is causing the problem. Mine is a 16 ProMax, and it started immediately after I upgraded.

Have you contacted your carrier? Those that did had the problem resolved immediately. The cell providers also send Carrier Updates to your phone and that may also need to be done in your case. You can also try logging into your account with your cellular provider and see if you can view your message logs. You will not be able to read the message, but you may be able to see the time and date received by the provider. If you don't see the SMS message logged there, it will not be showing on your device no matter what OS version you are using.

I called T-Mobile. They had me do a factory reset on my network settings and restart my phone. I guess You can NOT port your network setting over when setting up a new iPhone 16. Fixed my problem immediately

Noodlez11 wrote:

So how was it that I never had an issue with my 13 pro max but I am with the 17 pro??? No settings have changed neither has my service.

See if your cellular provider has an update for ios26

Remove any VPN completely

Visiting a mobile carrier store is about as useful as going to a shoe store for technical support. Most of the store staff aren't trained in any way on technical support issues and likely did work at another retail store previously. You'll need to call T-Mobile and ask for a Senior Technical Support advisor to get any reasonable help.

Noodlez11 wrote:

My sms works I can text android users and receive text instantly so sms is not the issue

Then the phone isn't the issue either. Apple can't delay SMS Messages. Only your carrier can.

SMS may be SMS, but some interaction between os26 and network is causing the auth codes to delay. It's not your iPhone 17, it's the OS that is causing the problem. Mine is a 16 ProMax, and it started immediately after I upgraded.

Indeed.

Too few seem willing to even try to understand that while it indeed might be “related” to an OS update …

… that it’s on the carrier (the app developer) to fix.

Carrier Level 1 CSR’s — repeatedly parroting “All’s good with our systems” — only adds to subscriber frustration.

Sounds like a sender issue or carrier issue. I have friends on some of the cheaper cellular networks and they tell me all the time their texts are late. Those texts don’t go through Apple servers. They’re direct from source to iPhone over cellular network.

macwiz wrote:

SMS may be SMS, but some interaction between os26 and network is causing the auth codes to delay. It's not your iPhone 17, it's the OS that is causing the problem. Mine is a 16 ProMax, and it started immediately after I upgraded.

Nope. If it was iOS 26, this forum would be flooded with people complaining about delayed messages, codes, etc. Yet it's not. I'm on iOS 26.1 and there is absolutely no delay in receiving 2FA messages from anyone. iOS 26 has nothing to do with SMS messages which come from your carrier.

MaxOofinity wrote:

T-mobile tech team got it fixed. Huzzah!

Great to hear and I hope anyone else who has this issue sees your post. Things like this are always a carrier issue to resolve.

Any way you can share your case id?

I spent 2 hours in the T-Mobile store yesterday and no one in the store had heard anything and when they called their support they knew nothing either. I do believe it is a T-Mobile problem, but like everything else in the last 6 months they bury their head and give minimal support. I loved T-Mobile when they took over Sprint but of late they are worthless.

Same issue for me after updating to 26. On T-Mobile, iPhone 16 pro. Was just on the phone with T-Mobile for an hour and they weren't able to resolve it. They created a ticket for the tech team to look at and could take up to 5 days before I hear anything.