Why does my Turkish SIM card (Turkcell) ask for identity verification and how to fix it?

From messages by 3 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 82 days ago

TL;DR

Turkcell periodically sends SMS demanding identity verification (passport/residence permit) or the number gets blocked — this can sometimes be confirmed online in the Turkcell app under Settings → Personal Data, but often requires visiting a Turkcell office in person with your documents.

What the community said

If you get an SMS asking you to visit a Turkcell office with your documents, this is a genuine operator requirement, not a scam — many users report receiving the same message.

Turkcell office

Trying to confirm your identity in the Turkcell app (Settings → Personal Data) often fails with an error if your residence permit (ikamet) has expired — in that case online verification won't work and you need to go to a physical Turkcell store.

Settings → Personal Data section

For online verification to work, log into the app using the Turkish phone number and mobile data from that same SIM (not Wi-Fi), and turn off any VPN, as it can block the confirmation process.

After returning to Turkey from a trip abroad, your operator may send an SMS requiring re-verification or your mobile data will be cut off — the process is usually quick if your documents are valid.