When you log into your account on the TextNow website you might see a message indicating that you need to 'verify you are a human' with a button that says Press and Hold, as shown in the image below. To complete the CAPTCHA and finish logging in, you'll need to press and hold the button down until the bar fills completely. If you're having trouble logging in because the CAPTCHA isn't working, try following the troubleshooting steps listed in this article.
Why do I need to complete the CAPTCHA?
Completing the CAPTCHA allows us to differentiate real user activity from automated bots, which helps ensure the safety and integrity of our platform by preventing malicious activities such as spam and unauthorized account access.
What if the CAPTCHA isn't letting me log in?
If you're unable to log in because you're having trouble with CAPTCHA, follow the troubleshooting steps below and try logging in again after each step to see if the issue persists.
1. Disable Ad Blockers and anti-tracking extensions (or try an incognito window)
CAPTCHAs might not appear if your browser has any ad-blocking or anti-tracking extensions enabled. Try disabling these extensions or adjusting the settings to add TextNow to the allowlist. Some browsers have ad-blocking and anti-tracking functionality built in, so you might need to check the settings to see if one of these is turned on by default.
You can also try logging in from an incognito browsing window that does not have any ad-blocking or anti-tracking extensions or settings enabled.
2. Turn off any VPNs or features that hide IP addresses (like iCloud private relay)
Using VPNs or services that hide your IP address, like iCloud Private Relay, may cause errors when trying to complete the CAPTCHA. Try turning off any VPNs or other services that may be hiding your IP address, and try to complete the CAPTCHA again.
iCloud private relay may be enabled by default on some iOS devices. To turn it off or confirm that it is already disabled, you can refer to this page on Apple's support site.
3. Check for browser updates
Older browser versions might make CAPTCHAs fail to load properly. Look out for notifications indicating that your browser can be updated to the latest version, or check for updates in your browser's settings.
4. Clear your cache and cookies
Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can help prevent any conflicts caused by extensions and temporary background files that may interfere with the CAPTCHA.
Keep in mind that clearing your browser cookies will log you out of websites where you've opted to remember your username and password, requiring you to log in again. Clearing the cache will remove temporary files stored in the background and can help websites load faster.
5. Be aware of Firewall and Proxy settings
Some office buildings and institutions like schools or universities may have firewalls and proxy servers in place to add network protection, which can interfere with the CAPTCHA's ability to load. If you're using a public network provided by one of these types of institutions and you've tried all of the steps above but are still unable to log in, try logging in on a private network.
6. Complete identity verification if prompted
In some cases, if the CAPTCHA continues failing, you may be asked to complete identity verification to confirm you are a real user and keep our platform safe from spam. For more information on how the identity verification process works, check out this article.