Social Security online account setup keeps failing - iPad/smartphone issues?

Yes, you absolutely CAN create a mySocialSecurity account using an iPad or smartphone, but there are some common issues that might be causing your problems: 1. Make sure you're using the official ssa.gov website (not any third-party sites) 2. Your browser needs to accept cookies and JavaScript 3. Sometimes the identity verification service (ID.me) has compatibility issues with certain browsers 4. If you've had a credit freeze or fraud alert on your credit report, that can block verification I'd recommend trying these steps: - Clear your browser cache and cookies - Try a different browser (Safari vs Chrome) - Temporarily disable any ad blockers - Make sure your personal information exactly matches what's on your Social Security card and tax returns If you're still having issues, you might need to visit your local SSA office to get an activation code in person.

I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!! Tried for WEEKS on my phone and tablet with ZERO luck!!1! The SSA website is TERRIBLE on mobile! I finally went to my daughter's house and used her laptop and it worked on the first try. Their system is COMPLETELY broken for mobile users. I complained to the SSA office about it and they just gave me some BS about "supported browsers" - like it's still 2005 or something!!!! Try a regular computer if you can find one.

i had same issue. the problem was i was using autofill on my iphone and it was putting wrong format for my phone number. had to manually type everything. also make sure ur address is exactly the same as whats on ur ss card. even slight difference causes problems

When I tried creating my mySocialSecurity account, I ran into similar issues. After multiple failed attempts, I found that calling the SSA directly was nearly impossible - constant busy signals and disconnects after waiting for 2+ hours. I eventually discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual SSA representative in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The rep was able to help troubleshoot my online account issues and explained that certain mobile browsers do have compatibility issues with their verification system. They gave me specific instructions for setting up the account properly. Might be worth checking out if you continue having issues.

My sister had prblems 2. She keeps trying on her fone and it never works. But I think it's cuz she has bad credit and the verificashun thing checks ur credit report? Maybe check ur credit report first?

Just to clarify some misinformation in this thread: The SSA's identity verification doesn't perform a "credit check" in the traditional sense. However, it does use information from your credit file to generate knowledge-based authentication questions (like previous addresses, loans, etc.) to verify your identity. This is why credit freezes can sometimes interfere with the process. And yes, while some mobile browsers work fine, desktop browsers generally have a higher success rate with the verification process. If you're planning for retirement at 59, it's definitely worth getting this access set up, as you'll want to review your earnings history for accuracy and use their benefit calculators to help with retirement planning. One other thing to try: some people have success using a cellular data connection rather than WiFi, as some security systems and firewalls on home networks can interfere with the verification process.

I set mine up last month. Worked fine. Try a different browser.

I had a very similar experience when trying to create my account. After multiple failed attempts on my iPad, I finally called SSA's tech support line. They explained that while their website is technically compatible with mobile devices, the identity verification service they use (ID.me) works most consistently on desktop computers with Chrome or Firefox browsers. The representative also mentioned that if you've moved recently or have any discrepancies between your current information and what's in their system, verification can fail. He suggested ensuring that my current address was updated with the IRS and on my latest tax return, as they cross-reference that data. Once I used a desktop computer and made sure all my information was consistent, it worked perfectly. Good luck with your retirement planning! The benefit calculators on the site are extremely helpful for comparing different claiming strategies.

I went through this exact frustration last year! After trying multiple times on my phone and tablet with no success, here's what finally worked for me: 1. Used a desktop computer with Chrome browser 2. Temporarily lifted my credit freeze (this was the key issue!) 3. Made sure my address matched exactly what was on my most recent tax return 4. Disabled my VPN and ad blocker 5. Used my home internet connection instead of public WiFi The credit freeze was definitely blocking my verification - once I lifted it temporarily with all three bureaus, the process went smoothly. You can put the freeze back in place immediately after your account is created. Also, don't feel bad about the retirement planning at 59 - it's actually the perfect time to start really diving into the numbers! The benefit calculators on the SSA site are incredibly helpful for comparing different claiming strategies. You'll want to look at your earnings history too to make sure everything is accurate before you get closer to filing. If you're still having trouble after trying a desktop, the local SSA office can give you an activation code, but definitely try the desktop route first - it saves a lot of time and hassle.

I went through this exact same frustration a few months ago! After weeks of failed attempts on my phone and iPad, I finally got it working. Here's what made the difference: The biggest issue was that I had a credit monitoring service that was blocking the ID.me verification. Even though it wasn't technically a "freeze," it was still interfering. I had to temporarily disable the monitoring alerts. Also, make sure you're not using any password managers or autofill features during the process - I found that even small formatting differences (like phone numbers with or without dashes) can cause failures. One tip that really helped: Have your most recent tax return handy when you do this. They ask verification questions based on your tax history, and having those documents right in front of you makes it much easier to answer accurately. The mobile compatibility is definitely hit-or-miss, but it's not impossible. I actually got mine working on my iPad eventually, but only after clearing all cookies, using Safari instead of Chrome, and making sure I was on a strong, stable internet connection. Once you get past the initial setup hurdle, the retirement planning tools are fantastic. Being able to see your projected benefits at different retirement ages really helps with decision-making. Definitely worth the effort to get it working!

I had this exact same issue when I tried setting up my account last year! After multiple failed attempts on my iPhone and iPad, I discovered the problem was actually a combination of factors: 1. **Browser compatibility**: The SSA's identity verification system works much better on desktop browsers. While mobile isn't impossible, desktop Chrome or Firefox have much higher success rates. 2. **Credit monitoring interference**: I had credit monitoring alerts enabled that were interfering with the ID.me verification process, even though I didn't have a full credit freeze. 3. **Information formatting**: The system is very picky about how information is entered. Phone numbers, addresses, and even name formatting need to match exactly what's in their records. Here's what finally worked for me: - Used a desktop computer with Chrome browser - Temporarily disabled all credit monitoring alerts - Cleared browser cache and cookies completely - Had my most recent tax return ready (they ask verification questions based on tax history) - Entered all information manually without any autofill - Made sure my address matched exactly what was on my latest tax return The whole process took about 15 minutes once I had everything set up properly. The retirement planning tools are definitely worth the hassle - being able to see your projected benefits at different claiming ages is incredibly helpful for planning! If you continue having issues after trying desktop, the local SSA office can provide an activation code, but I'd definitely recommend the desktop approach first.

I just went through this nightmare myself about two months ago! After reading through all these responses, I can confirm that almost everyone here is spot-on about the common issues. What finally worked for me was a combination of several things: - Switched to a desktop computer (my MacBook) instead of my phone - Used Firefox browser instead of Safari - Temporarily lifted my credit freeze with all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) - Turned off my VPN and ad blocker - Had my 2023 tax return right next to me for the verification questions The verification questions they ask are really specific - things like "Which of these addresses did you live at in 2019?" or loan amounts from years ago. Having your tax documents handy makes this so much easier. One thing I didn't see mentioned much here is that if you've recently changed your legal name (marriage, divorce, etc.), that can also cause verification failures even if you've updated it everywhere else. The SSA system sometimes takes a while to sync with other databases. The good news is that once you get through the setup, the account is really useful for retirement planning. I'm 58 and found their benefit estimator incredibly helpful for figuring out optimal claiming strategies. You can see exactly how your benefits change based on when you claim between 62 and 70. Hang in there - it's frustrating but definitely doable with the right approach!

I've been following this thread with great interest since I just went through a very similar ordeal last month! Like many others here, I spent weeks trying to create my mySocialSecurity account on my phone with zero success. What finally worked for me was following almost exactly what several people have outlined: 1. **Desktop computer with updated Chrome browser** - This made the biggest difference. Mobile just seems unreliable for the ID.me verification process. 2. **Temporarily lifted my credit freeze** - This was crucial! I had freezes with all three bureaus after a data breach last year, and they were definitely blocking the verification. 3. **Gathered all my documents first** - Had my Social Security card, driver's license, and 2023 tax return ready. The verification questions can be very specific about previous addresses and financial history. 4. **Disabled browser extensions** - Turned off my ad blocker, VPN, and password manager during the process. 5. **Used my home internet connection** - Avoided public WiFi which can sometimes trigger additional security measures. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I had everything set up properly. I know it's frustrating when you just want to start planning for retirement, but don't give up! The benefit calculators and earnings history review are incredibly valuable tools once you get access. One additional tip: If you do end up needing to visit the local SSA office for an activation code, call ahead to see if you need an appointment. Some offices are still operating on appointment-only basis for certain services. Good luck with your retirement planning - 60 is actually a great age to start getting serious about understanding all your options!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here too and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been. I'm facing the exact same issue with my mySocialSecurity account setup failing repeatedly on my tablet and phone. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that the desktop approach with proper preparation is the way to go. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed step-by-step instructions multiple people have shared about temporarily lifting credit freezes, disabling browser extensions, and having tax documents ready for verification questions. As someone who's also approaching retirement age, it's both frustrating and reassuring to know this is such a common problem. The fact that so many people have eventually succeeded gives me hope that I can get through this hurdle too. I'm planning to follow the collective wisdom here: desktop computer, Chrome browser, credit freeze temporarily lifted, all documents ready, and no autofill. Fingers crossed it works! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences so thoroughly - this kind of detailed community help is exactly what makes forums like this so valuable for navigating government services.

As someone new to this community, I just wanted to add my voice to say thank you to everyone who has shared such detailed and helpful advice in this thread! I'm dealing with the exact same frustration trying to set up my mySocialSecurity account on my phone and iPad. Reading through all these responses, I'm struck by how consistent the solutions are across different people's experiences: 1. **Desktop computer is crucial** - Multiple people have confirmed mobile browsers just aren't reliable for the ID.me verification 2. **Credit freezes are a major culprit** - This seems to be the #1 hidden issue people don't think about 3. **Document preparation matters** - Having tax returns ready for verification questions is key 4. **Browser cleanliness helps** - Disabling extensions, clearing cache, avoiding autofill What I find most encouraging is that virtually everyone who switched to a desktop setup with proper preparation succeeded, even after multiple mobile failures. That gives me real confidence this is solvable. I'm also grateful for the retirement planning insights shared here. As someone approaching these decisions, it's helpful to hear that the SSA benefit calculators are worth the effort to access. Sometimes these technical hurdles feel pointless, but knowing there are valuable planning tools waiting on the other side makes the troubleshooting worthwhile. Planning to try the desktop approach this weekend with all the preparation steps outlined here. Thanks again to this community for turning a frustrating individual problem into a shared solution!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to express my gratitude for this incredibly thorough and helpful thread! I've been struggling with the exact same mySocialSecurity account setup issues on my smartphone for over a month now, and reading everyone's detailed experiences has been both validating and enlightening. The consistency of solutions across so many different people's stories is really striking - it's clear this isn't just random technical problems but specific, predictable issues with mobile compatibility and the ID.me verification system. I had absolutely no idea that credit freezes could interfere with government account verification, but it makes perfect sense now that multiple people have explained it. What I find most encouraging is that literally everyone who switched to the desktop approach with proper preparation (lifting credit freezes, clearing browsers, having documents ready, disabling extensions) seems to have succeeded after previous mobile failures. That gives me real confidence this is a solvable problem rather than just bad luck. I'm also grateful for all the context about the retirement planning tools that await once you get through this hurdle. As someone just starting to seriously consider Social Security strategy, it's motivating to know that the benefit calculators and earnings history tools are genuinely valuable for decision-making. I'm planning to follow the collective wisdom here this weekend: desktop computer with Chrome, temporarily lift my credit freeze, gather my tax documents, disable all browser extensions, and manually enter everything without autofill. Thanks to everyone for turning what felt like an isolated frustration into a community-solved problem!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly helpful thread! I've been dealing with the exact same mySocialSecurity account setup failures on my iPad and iPhone for the past several weeks, and this discussion has been a game-changer. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's solutions have been - it's clearly not just random technical issues but specific problems with mobile browser compatibility and the ID.me verification system. The credit freeze connection is something I never would have considered, but after reading multiple people's experiences, it makes perfect sense. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed step-by-step approaches that several community members have shared. Having a clear roadmap (desktop computer with Chrome/Firefox, temporarily lift credit freezes, gather tax documents for verification questions, disable browser extensions, avoid autofill) gives me real confidence that this is solvable. As someone who's just starting to think seriously about retirement planning, I'm also encouraged by the insights about the SSA benefit calculators and planning tools. Knowing that getting through this technical hurdle will give me access to genuinely useful resources for understanding my options makes the effort feel worthwhile. I'm planning to try the desktop approach this weekend following all the preparation steps outlined here. It's amazing how this community has transformed what felt like an individual technical nightmare into shared wisdom with clear solutions. This is exactly the kind of support I was hoping to find when dealing with government services!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I've been struggling with the exact same mySocialSecurity account setup issues on my tablet for the past month, and reading through everyone's detailed experiences has given me hope that I can finally solve this. What really strikes me is how consistent the patterns are - mobile browser issues with ID.me verification, credit freeze interference, and the need for desktop computers with proper preparation. I had no idea that credit monitoring services could block government account verification, but it makes perfect sense after reading everyone's explanations. I'm particularly grateful for the step-by-step approaches that multiple people have shared. Having a clear action plan (desktop with Chrome/Firefox, temporarily lift credit freezes, gather tax documents, disable extensions, manual entry instead of autofill) makes this feel manageable instead of impossible. As someone approaching retirement planning decisions, I'm also encouraged by the insights about the SSA benefit calculators and tools. Knowing that getting past this technical hurdle will unlock genuinely useful retirement planning resources makes all the troubleshooting effort feel worthwhile. I'm going to try the desktop approach this weekend following all the preparation steps outlined here. This community has transformed what felt like an isolated technical nightmare into a shared problem with clear solutions - exactly what I was hoping for when dealing with government services! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their detailed experiences.

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my voice to thank everyone for this incredibly comprehensive thread! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to set up my mySocialSecurity account on my phone for the past few weeks with the same repeated failures everyone else has described. What's really remarkable about reading through all these experiences is how they reveal a clear pattern of issues rather than random technical problems. The mobile browser compatibility issues with ID.me verification seem almost universal, and I had absolutely no idea that credit freezes and monitoring services could interfere with government account verification - that's such valuable insight that I never would have discovered on my own. I'm taking careful notes on the consistent solution that has worked for so many people here: desktop computer with updated Chrome or Firefox browser, temporarily lifting credit freezes/monitoring, having tax documents ready for verification questions, disabling browser extensions and VPNs, clearing cache and cookies, and manually entering all information without autofill. As someone who's just beginning to think seriously about retirement planning, I'm also grateful for all the context about the SSA benefit calculators and planning tools. Knowing that these resources are genuinely useful for understanding claiming strategies and benefit projections makes pushing through this technical frustration feel worthwhile rather than just bureaucratic hassle. I'm planning to try the desktop approach this weekend following all the detailed preparation steps shared here. This community has transformed what felt like an impossible individual problem into a shared challenge with proven solutions - exactly the kind of support that makes navigating government services so much more manageable. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their hard-won wisdom!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for this incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! I've been wrestling with the exact same mySocialSecurity account setup problems on my smartphone and tablet for over a month now, and this thread has been absolutely enlightening. What really stands out to me is how everyone's experiences follow such consistent patterns - it's clearly not just bad luck with random technical glitches, but specific, predictable issues with mobile browser compatibility and the ID.me verification system. The revelation about credit freezes and monitoring services interfering with verification is something I never would have considered, but it makes perfect sense given how many people have mentioned it. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed step-by-step solutions that multiple community members have shared. Having a clear roadmap gives me real confidence: desktop computer with Chrome/Firefox, temporarily lift credit freezes and monitoring, gather tax documents for verification questions, disable browser extensions and VPNs, clear cache and cookies, and enter everything manually without autofill. As someone who's just starting to seriously consider Social Security planning strategies, I'm also encouraged by the insights about the benefit calculators and planning tools waiting on the other side of this technical hurdle. Knowing these resources are genuinely valuable for retirement decision-making makes all the troubleshooting effort feel worthwhile. I'm going to follow the collective wisdom here and try the desktop approach this weekend with all the proper preparation. This community has transformed what felt like an isolated technical nightmare into a shared problem with proven solutions - exactly what I was hoping to find when dealing with government services. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so generously!