I am already a paying ChatGPT Plus subscriber, but I still cannot sign in to Codex because I am being forced to complete phone-number verification.
As shown in the attached screenshot, Codex redirects me to a page stating that a phone number is mandatory. However, my country code (+86) is not available as a usable option, and I do not have a supported foreign phone number.
ChatGPT itself works normally with my account. I can sign in using Google and have already completed the other available account-security methods, but Codex still blocks me at this phone-verification screen.
This puts paying users in an unreasonable situation: after already paying for ChatGPT Plus specifically to use Codex, I am effectively being forced to spend even more money on a third-party SMS verification service or obtain a foreign SIM card just to access the product I have already paid for. Third-party verification services are also insecure and may cause users to lose access to their accounts later, so this should not be treated as an acceptable workaround.
I have already contacted OpenAI Support, but the issue has not been resolved. My refund request was also rejected, even though I still cannot access Codex.
OpenAI needs to provide a legitimate solution:
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Allow paid users to access Codex without this unsupported phone-verification requirement;
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Provide an alternative verification method, such as email, authenticator, passkey, or account review;
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Or issue a refund when a paid user cannot access the product because their country code is not supported.
Why can I pay for ChatGPT Plus and use ChatGPT normally, but still be locked out of Codex by a verification method that I cannot complete?
This is not a reasonable experience for a paying customer. I am asking OpenAI to investigate this issue and provide an official solution instead of telling affected users to obtain a foreign phone number.
For reference, my OpenAI Support case number is 11788068. I hope an OpenAI representative can review the case and provide a real solution.
