To keep Handshake a secure and trustworthy platform for students and early talent, phone number verification is required during sign-up for accounts not created by a school. This applies to both the web and mobile app.
If your school hasn't created an account for you, you'll need to verify your account via text message during sign-up.
Phone verification helps us:
- Prevent fake and duplicate accounts
- Build a trusted space for job seekers and employers alike
To learn more about creating an account on Handshake, refer to Getting Started with Handshake.
How the Verification Process Works
When creating your Handshake account, you’ll be prompted to verify your email address first. After that, you’ll be asked to enter your mobile phone number. The country code will be pre-selected based on your location.
The following message is displayed:
“We use phone verification to keep our community safe. By continuing, you agree to get a one-time SMS. Rates may apply.”
Note: Not all country codes are supported at this time. You must be able to verify a phone number with a supported country code to access Handshake.
Step 1: Enter your mobile number
Input your phone number when prompted during sign-up then click Continue.
Step 2: Receive a verification code
You’ll receive a one-time verification code via SMS. If you don’t receive it right away, you can request it again after 60 seconds.
Step 3: Enter the code
Type the code into the verification screen to complete the process.
Once verified, your number is securely stored and used only to confirm your identity and prevent misuse (such as creating multiple fake accounts). It will never be used for marketing and will not be visible to employers or other users.
Additional Information
- Unsupported numbers: If your number can’t be verified (e.g., VoIP or toll-free numbers), you’ll be prompted to try again with a valid mobile number.
- Accounts created before verification was required: If your account was created before phone verification became mandatory and you're not affiliated with a school, you'll be asked to verify your number the next time you log in.
- Changing or updating phone number: phone numbers cannot be edited, even by Handshake admins
- Disconnecting a phone number from one account to use with another account: Phone numbers cannot be edited; the only way to remove a phone number from an account is to delete that account altogether.
- Phone number is associated with another account: If you're unable to identify which account your phone number is linked to, contact Support for further investigation and provide the phone number you're attempting to use.
Troubleshooting tips
Didn't receive a verification code?
This is usually caused by rate limiting, carrier filtering, or blocked messages. Try the following:
- Wait 30 minutes before requesting another code. Requesting multiple codes in a short period can temporarily pause code delivery as a security measure. After 30 minutes, request a new code only once. Keep in mind that codes can arrive late. If a delayed code arrives, it may have already expired, so use the most recent code you receive.
- Make sure your phone can receive SMS messages from U.S. numbers. Verification codes are sent from a U.S. phone number. Some carriers and prepaid plans block international SMS by default, so confirm that international SMS is enabled with your carrier.
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Check for blocked numbers or spam filtering.
- Android: Open the Messages app → tap the three-dot menu → Spam & blocked → unblock any unfamiliar numbers.
- iPhone: Go to Settings → Apps → Messages → Blocked Contacts, and check your Unknown Senders or Junk messages if applicable.
- Check your Focus or Do Not Disturb settings. Make sure notifications or messages aren't being silenced.
- Use a standard mobile number. Virtual or VoIP numbers (such as Google Voice or TextNow) often cannot receive verification codes.
- Perform a few quick device checks. Confirm that you entered the correct phone number and country code, ensure you have cellular service, and try toggling Airplane Mode on and off or restarting your phone.