How to verify your phone number (and "Verify your phone number first. The identity check needs it.")

Updated 13 November 2026

The identity check needs a verified phone number. Until your phone is verified, Start verification stays locked and you see "Verify your phone number first. The identity check needs it." Verify your phone with a code we send you by SMS, then come back to the identity step.

Why the phone step comes first

On the Verify page of the client portal, the steps run in order: the questions, then your phone, then your identity. The phone step says: "Needed for the identity check. We'll text you a code."

The identity check can't start until your phone number is verified. Once it is, Start verification under Verify your identity becomes available.

Steps on the Verify page

Sign in at app.jafx.com.
Click Verify in the menu. On a phone, open the menu first.
Under Verification steps, open Verify your phone number.
Enter your mobile number and request a code. You will see "Verification code sent."
Enter the code from the SMS. You will see "Phone verified."
Go to Verify your identity and click Start verification.

For the rest of verification, see How to verify your account (KYC).

Verifying from Settings with Send code

You can also verify your phone from your settings:

Sign in at app.jafx.com and open Settings.
In Personal information, find Phone.
If the badge next to your number reads "Not verified · optional", click Send code.
Enter the code from the SMS.

If you need to change the number first, type the new number in Phone and click Save changes. You will see "Profile updated." If the badge then reads "Not verified · optional", verify the new number with Send code. See How to change your phone number.

Messages you may see

Message	What it means	What to do
"Verification code sent."	We have sent a code to your phone by SMS.	Enter the code from the SMS.
"Phone verified."	Your phone number is verified.	Go on to Verify your identity.
"Invalid code."	The code you entered is not the one we sent.	Check the SMS and enter the code again.
"Please wait N seconds before requesting another code."	You can ask for a new code only every 120 seconds.	Wait for the time shown, then request a new code.
"Verify your phone number first. The identity check needs it."	You tried to start the identity check before verifying your phone.	Verify your phone using the steps above.

If the SMS doesn't arrive or the code still won't work, see Why won't my phone number verify? SMS code messages and what to do.

Too many codes requested

If you see "You've asked for too many codes", wait 5 minutes before you ask for a new code.

Keep your code to yourself. Our support team will never ask you for a code we send you, or for your password.

What phone verification is not needed for

Phone verification is needed only for the identity check. You don't need a verified phone to:

deposit
trade
withdraw

Unverified accounts can deposit and withdraw up to $4,000 a day each. Verifying your identity removes these limits, and the identity check needs a verified phone. See What you need to do before you can trade.

Need help?

If you still can't verify your phone, or Start verification stays locked after your phone is verified, contact us:

Live chat: click Chat in the client portal to talk to a member of our support team.
Email: write to support@jafx.com from the email address registered on your JAFX account.

If the identity check itself won't start or upload, see The identity check won't start, won't upload or says I'm out of tries.

We are available 24/7 via live chat or email.

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