How to Vote on American Idol 2023: Everything You Need to Know to Support Your Favorite Contestants
American Idol Season 21 begins its Top 26 episodes, filmed at the Disney Aulani Resort, on Sunday, April 16. Public voting opens with these episodes, and this guide explains the voting methods, rules, and best practices so you can make your votes count.
Three Ways to Vote
There are three official voting methods for American Idol: web voting, the official app, and SMS text voting. These options are managed through the show’s voting system, and each method has specific steps and limits.
- Vote online at AmericanIdol.com/vote. You must create an ABC.com account to vote on the website. First-time voters will receive a confirmation email with a verification code; enter that code on the site to verify your account. This verification is required once per season.
- Vote in the official American Idol app. Download the American Idol app from your device’s app store and sign in with the same ABC.com account to cast votes through the app.
- Vote via text message. Text the number assigned to your preferred contestant to 21523. Each contestant’s number will be posted when voting opens. Text voting is available to participating wireless carriers in the U.S.; message and data rates may apply. This method is available in the United States only. Refer to the show’s mobile voting terms for details.
Voter Eligibility and Login Tips
To vote via the website or app, you must be at least 16 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you plan to vote online, log in a few minutes before voting opens. The site may prompt you to confirm credentials or reset passwords, and you don’t want to miss the voting window while troubleshooting login issues.
When you receive the verification email, follow the instructions promptly and enter the code on the voting page. This step typically only needs to be completed once per season, but it’s essential for your votes to register.
Live Voting Schedule and Contestant Numbers
Important update: Beginning April 30, voting occurs during the coast-to-coast live broadcast and closes during the final commercial break of each show. Typically, the live episodes air from 8–10 PM ET / 5–7 PM PT, though the finale and some special episodes may run longer. During live shows, contestants will be assigned new voting numbers once the Top 12 are set, and those numbers remain the same for the duration of the competition until a contestant is eliminated.
- Colin Stough – Text 6 to 21523
- Megan Danielle – Text 10 to 21523
- Iam Tonga – Text 12 to 21523
Note: Voting windows and exact times can change week to week. Keep an eye on official announcements during the broadcast for the current voting window.
How Many Times Can a Fan Vote?
Each voting method allows up to ten (10) votes per contestant per week. That means you can cast:
- Up to 10 votes for a contestant on ABC.com
- Up to 10 votes for the same contestant in the American Idol app
- Up to 10 votes for the same contestant via text message
Combined, you may submit up to thirty (30) votes per contestant each week across all methods. When voting online or in the app, you can change how your votes are allocated until the voting window closes—just be sure to save any changes before the deadline.
Best Practices for Voting
To maximize your votes and avoid technical issues:
- Create and verify your ABC.com account early in the season so you’ll be ready when live voting begins.
- Download and sign in to the American Idol app ahead of time and grant any necessary permissions to receive the best performance from the app during live voting.
- Keep your phone charged and confirm you have sufficient message/data plan coverage before using text voting.
- Monitor the live broadcast for the exact start and close times of the voting window each week—these can vary for special episodes or the finale.
Following these steps will help you cast your votes efficiently and support your favorite American Idol contestants throughout the season. Watch the live shows for the latest voting instructions and contestant numbers as the competition progresses.