Virtual Number for WhatsApp: How to Get One That Works
WhatsApp ties every account to a phone number and is strict about virtual numbers. You need a number that has never been registered on WhatsApp and that comes from a pool with a good delivery record.
Can you use WhatsApp without a phone number? No — but it doesn't have to be your personal one. People use a virtual number for WhatsApp Business, for a second account on the same phone, or to keep their real number private from clients.
WhatsApp verification at a glance
| Category | Messengers |
|---|---|
| Countries people often use | USA, United Kingdom, India |
| Main advice | WhatsApp sometimes offers a voice call instead of an SMS. Wait for the timer and choose "Resend SMS". Don't start bulk messaging on a brand-new account — that's the most common reason for a ban. |
| If the code doesn't arrive | WhatsApp Verification Code Not Received, Verification Code Sent by Call Instead of SMS, This Phone Number Cannot Be Used for Verification, Account Banned Right After Signing Up With a Virtual Number |
| Services that support it | 18 |
How to get a number for WhatsApp: step by step
- Pick a service from the ranking — for example Tiger SMS — and top up with any payment method.
- Choose "WhatsApp" and a country (for WhatsApp, people often use: USA, United Kingdom, India).
- Enter the number in WhatsApp and wait for the code in your account.
- No code? Cancel the order and the money returns to your balance. Why codes fail.
Tip: WhatsApp sometimes offers a voice call instead of an SMS. Wait for the timer and choose "Resend SMS". Don't start bulk messaging on a brand-new account — that's the most common reason for a ban.
WhatsApp code didn't arrive? Fixes
- WhatsApp Verification Code Not Received: Fixes — Why WhatsApp stays silent and when it calls instead.
- Verification Code Sent by Call Instead of SMS — WhatsApp and Viber sometimes call instead of texting.
- "This Phone Number Cannot Be Used for Verification": How to Fix It — Google and other apps reject the number — what it means and what to do.
- Account Banned Right After Signing Up With a Virtual Number — Why new accounts get banned and how to lower the risk.
WhatsApp verification FAQ
Can you use WhatsApp without a phone number?
No. WhatsApp requires a phone number to register, but it can be a virtual number instead of your personal SIM.
Why doesn't WhatsApp send the code to my virtual number?
The number may already be registered on WhatsApp or flagged as VoIP. Cancel the order and try a different country.
Can I have two WhatsApp accounts on one phone?
Yes — use WhatsApp Business or the second-account feature with a separate virtual number.
Will the account survive after the number expires?
Turn on two-step verification with a PIN right away. On a one-time number you won't be able to receive a new SMS later.
Where to buy a number for WhatsApp
Tiger SMS
Editor's choiceTiger SMS sells one-time virtual numbers for SMS verification in 260+ countries and for 200+ services, with 800,000+ numbers available every day. Prices start at $0.001, and you pay only when the SMS arrives: if no code comes, press Cancel and the money goes straight back to your balance.
- Receive SMS online
- Non-VoIP numbers
- SMS verification API
- Visa & Mastercard
- PayPal
HeroSMS
NewHeroSMS presents itself as the continuation of SMS-Activate after that service shut down, citing the same infrastructure, an API, a mobile app and numbers in 180+ countries.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- SMS verification API
TextVerified
A US service focused on non-VoIP American numbers for verification, with single-use codes and rentals.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- SMS verification API
- Visa & Mastercard
- USDT & crypto
SMSPool
An English-language service with a strong pool of US and UK numbers, rentals and an API.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- SMS verification API
- Visa & Mastercard
- Apple Pay & Google Pay
5SIM
Lets you pick a specific mobile carrier inside a country when buying a number.
- Receive SMS online
- Cheap SMS verification
SMS-Man
A long-running service with a large catalog of apps and countries, a mobile app and an API.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- SMS verification API
- USDT & crypto
- Visa & Mastercard
Grizzly SMS
An SMS activation service aimed at bulk sign-ups and low prices on popular platforms.
- Receive SMS online
- SMS verification API
- Cheap SMS verification
OnlineSIM
Focused on reliability and long-term number rentals for repeat logins, plus a page of free public numbers.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- SMS verification API
SMSPVA
One of the oldest SMS receiving services, popular with marketers, offering one-time numbers and rentals.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- SMS verification API
- Visa & Mastercard
PVAPins
Non-VoIP numbers for one-time codes and rentals, mostly used by English-speaking customers.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- Non-VoIP numbers
- USDT & crypto
- Visa & Mastercard
SMSBower
NewA newer activation service with an API for software and a low entry price.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
365SMS
NewA number and activation service aimed at bulk account registration.
- Receive SMS online
- SMS verification API
Tellabot
A US service for receiving verification codes on American numbers, with an API and webhooks. You pay only after the SMS arrives.
- Receive SMS online
- SMS verification API
- Non-VoIP numbers
- USDT & crypto
SMSHub
A marketplace where third-party suppliers provide numbers. Prices are low; quality depends on the supplier.
- Receive SMS online
- SMS verification API
- Cheap SMS verification
Anosim
A European service with numbers on physical SIM cards, mainly German. Useful for platforms that reject virtual numbers.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- Non-VoIP numbers
Hushed
A subscription app that gives you a second US, Canadian or UK number for calls and texts.
- Phone number rental
- Second number apps
- Visa & Mastercard
- Apple Pay & Google Pay
Vak-SMS
A service built mainly for Russian-speaking users, with local payment methods.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- Cheap SMS verification
SimSMS
One of the oldest one-time SMS activation sites. Each number is issued for one service.
- Receive SMS online
- Phone number rental
- SMS verification API
- Payeer, AdvCash & e-wallets
- USDT & crypto