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Temporary Phone Number for Verification: The Complete Guide

By ComparaSMS editorial team · Updated · What changed

Updated: October 202624 services tested17 apps13 countries11 fix-it guides

A temporary phone number lets you receive a verification code and sign up for an app without giving away your personal number. This guide covers how temporary numbers work, which type to choose, which numbers work on WhatsApp, Telegram and Google, and what to do when the code doesn't arrive.

On this page: Types of numbers · By app · By country · Where to get one · How it works · Problems
Editor's choice for most apps: Tiger SMS. One-time numbers in 260+ countries from $0.001, and you pay only when the SMS arrives — no code, instant refund to your balance. Get a number →

Which kind of temporary number do you need?

TypeHow long it lastsCostBest for
One-time numberOne activationLowestSigning up and receiving one code
Rented numberDays to monthsMediumAccounts you'll log into again; 2FA
Non-VoIP numberActivation or rentalHigherStrict apps: banks, dating, marketplaces
Second-number appSubscriptionMonthly feeCalls and texts on a permanent number
Free public numberShared$0Tests only — not for accounts you keep

Temporary numbers for specific apps

Messengers

WhatsAppVirtual Number for WhatsApp TelegramVirtual Number for Telegram DiscordDiscord Phone Verification With a Temporary Number WeChatWeChat Sign Up ViberViber Number

Google & Microsoft

Google / GmailCreate a Gmail Account Without Your Phone Number Google Messages"Google Is Verifying Your Number for Chat Features"AI ChatGPT / OpenAIPhone Number for ChatGPT and OpenAI Verification

Shopping

a AmazonAmazon OTPW WalmartPhone Number for Walmart Verification eBayTemporary Phone Number for eBay Verification Uber EatsTemporary Phone Number for Uber Eats TicketmasterTicketmaster Verification Code on a Virtual Number

Dating

TinderVirtual Phone Number for TinderB BumbleBumble Verification With a Separate Phone Number

Social media

InstagramInstagram Without a Phone Number FacebookFacebook Not Sending Code? Verify With a Virtual Number

Numbers by country

USA flag USA +1US apps, marketplaces, dating appsUnited Kingdom flag United Kingdom +44UK delivery, ticketing and shopping appsCanada flag Canada +1Canadian services; a +1 fallbackNetherlands flag Netherlands +31EU-only services when big EU countries sell outSweden flag Sweden +46Nordic marketplaces and EU sign-upsGermany flag Germany +49Amazon.de, eBay Germany, strict EU appsChina flag China +86WeChat and Chinese marketplacesIndia flag India +91Cheap codes for messengers and social appsVenezuela flag Venezuela +58Budget messenger sign-upsPhilippines flag Philippines +63Southeast Asian apps and messengersAlgeria flag Algeria +213Fallback when popular countries failSri Lanka flag Sri Lanka +94Fallback for messengersSlovenia flag Slovenia +386EU-only sign-ups with low-demand numbers

All countries compared →

Where to get a temporary phone number: top 5

1

Tiger SMS

★ 4.9 / 5.0 Editor's choice
Type: One-time and non-VoIP numbers
API: yes · Rentals: no

Tiger 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
Get a number Read review Tiger SMS FAQ
2

HeroSMS

★ 4.5 / 5.0 New
Type: Virtual numbers + API
API: yes · Rentals: yes

HeroSMS 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
Get a number Read review Compare with Tiger SMS
3

TextVerified

★ 4.3 / 5.0
Type: Non-VoIP US numbers
API: yes · Rentals: yes

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
Get a number Read review Compare with Tiger SMS
4

SMSPool

★ 4.3 / 5.0
Type: Non-VoIP numbers, rentals
API: yes · Rentals: yes

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
Get a number Read review Compare with Tiger SMS
5

5SIM

★ 4.2 / 5.0
Type: Carrier-level numbers
API: no · Rentals: no

Lets you pick a specific mobile carrier inside a country when buying a number.

  • Receive SMS online
  • Cheap SMS verification
Get a number Read review Compare with Tiger SMS

Full SMS verification service ranking →

How to get a temporary number for a verification code

  1. Pick a service from the ranking — for example Tiger SMS — and top up with any payment method.
  2. Choose "the app you need" and a country.
  3. Enter the number in the app you need and wait for the code in your account.
  4. No code? Cancel the order and the money returns to your balance. Why codes fail.

Payment options

USDT & cryptoWhere it's accepted PayPalWhere it's acceptedVisa & Mastercard Visa & MastercardWhere it's accepted AliPay & WeChat PayWhere it's acceptedPayeer, AdvCash & e-wallets Payeer, AdvCash & e-walletsWhere it's acceptedSBP (Russia) SBP (Russia)Where it's accepted Apple Pay & Google PayWhere it's accepted

When something goes wrong

Why Am I Not Receiving Verification CodesThe main checklist: why the code doesn't come and how to get your money back.This Phone Number Cannot Be Used for VerificationGoogle and other apps reject the number — what it means and what to do.Telegram Not Sending CodeTelegram sends codes into the app before SMS — how to get the SMS.WhatsApp Verification Code Not ReceivedWhy WhatsApp stays silent and when it calls instead.Instagram Not Sending CodeInstagram limits codes after several attempts.Verification Code Sent by Call Instead of SMSWhatsApp and Viber sometimes call instead of texting.How Refunds Work When a Code Doesn't ArriveCancel the order and get your money back.Account Banned Right After Signing Up With a Virtual NumberWhy new accounts get banned and how to lower the risk.Recovering an Account Registered on a Temporary NumberWhat to do when the number isn't yours anymore.Which Country Should Your Virtual Number Be FromCountry affects price, acceptance and access.Topping Up an SMS Activation BalanceCards, PayPal, crypto and wallets.

FAQ

What is a temporary phone number?

A number from a mobile carrier or VoIP provider that a service lends you for a short time to receive SMS. The code appears in your online account.

Is a temp number the same as a burner number?

Close. "Burner" usually means a second-number app with calls and texts; a temp number for verification usually means a one-time SMS number.

How long does a temporary phone number last?

A one-time number lasts for a single activation. A rental lasts for the period you pay for.

Can I get a temporary phone number for free?

Yes, but free numbers are public and widely blocked. See what app lets you receive verification codes for free.

How much does a temporary number cost?

From a few cents. Price depends on the app and the country.

Why was my number rejected?

It was used before, or the app detected VoIP. See "this phone number cannot be used for verification".

Is it safe to sign up with a temporary number?

Yes, if you turn on 2FA and add a recovery email right away — guide.

Sources and official help pages