Question 1

What are temporary phone numbers?

Accepted Answer

Temporary phone numbers are virtual numbers that allow you to receive SMS messages online without using your personal phone. They are ideal for SMS verification on platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and many others. Our free shared numbers are publicly accessible, while paid options offer private, exclusive access.

Question 2

Are the free numbers really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our free numbers are completely free to use with no hidden charges. These are shared public numbers, meaning anyone can view the messages received on them. They work great for non-sensitive verifications. For private use, we offer paid activations and number rentals.

Question 3

How do activations work?

Accepted Answer

Activations are one-time use numbers for a specific service. You select the service you need (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram), pay a small fee, and receive a dedicated number. The number is exclusively yours for up to 20 minutes while you wait for the verification code.

Question 4

How do number rentals work?

Accepted Answer

Number rentals give you exclusive ownership of a phone number for a set period (hours, days, or weeks). All messages sent to that number are only visible to you. This is perfect for services that require ongoing SMS verification or when you need a consistent number over time.

Question 5

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept PayPal and cryptocurrency (via Passimpay) for adding balance to your account. Cryptocurrency payments support Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and many other popular coins. All payments are processed securely.

Question 6

How long do activations last?

Accepted Answer

Standard activations last up to 20 minutes. If you receive your verification code within that window, the activation is marked as complete. If no code arrives within the time limit, the activation expires.

Question 7

Can I receive calls on temporary numbers?

Accepted Answer

Currently, our service only supports receiving SMS text messages. Voice calls and call-based verifications are not supported. We focus exclusively on SMS to provide the most reliable and fast delivery possible.

Question 8

Is my privacy protected?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Free shared numbers are public by design — anyone can see the messages. However, paid activations and rentals are completely private. Only you can view messages sent to your activated or rented number. We do not store or share any personal information beyond what is needed for your account.

Question 9

What platforms are supported?

Accepted Answer

Our numbers work with virtually any platform that uses SMS verification, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, Google, Twitter/X, TikTok, Discord, Signal, Snapchat, and thousands of other services worldwide.

Question 10

What countries are available?

Accepted Answer

We offer phone numbers from over 150 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, Brazil, Russia, Japan, Canada, Australia, and many more. Our coverage is constantly expanding as we add new providers.

Question 11

What happens if I don't receive an SMS?

Accepted Answer

For paid activations, if no SMS is received within the activation window, the activation expires. For free shared numbers, delivery depends on the provider and the number's current load. Try a different number or country if messages aren't arriving on a particular number.

Question 12

How do I get help with billing issues?

Accepted Answer

For any billing or account issues, please contact our support team and we will resolve it promptly.

Question 13

What is the difference between free and paid numbers?

Accepted Answer

Free numbers are shared publicly — anyone can see messages received on them. Paid numbers (activations and rentals) are completely private, with messages visible only to you. Paid numbers also tend to have higher success rates since they are not shared with other users.

Question 14

Can I use temporary numbers for two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Accepted Answer

Free shared numbers are not recommended for 2FA on important accounts since messages are public. However, our paid rental numbers are private and can be used for 2FA. Keep in mind that if your rental expires, you will lose access to that number.

Question 15

How quickly do SMS messages arrive?

Accepted Answer

Most verification codes arrive within 10-30 seconds. Our real-time system displays messages instantly as they are received. Delivery times depend on the sending service and the carrier, but the vast majority arrive within one minute.

Question 16

Do you support receiving SMS from all services?

Accepted Answer

Our numbers work with most services that send SMS verification codes. However, some services (especially banks and financial institutions) may block virtual numbers. If a particular service does not work, try a different number or country.

Question 17

Is it legal to use temporary phone numbers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, using temporary phone numbers is legal. They are commonly used for privacy protection, testing, and avoiding spam. However, you should not use them for fraudulent purposes or to violate any service's terms of use.

Question 18

Can I keep the same number permanently?

Accepted Answer

Free shared numbers rotate periodically and cannot be reserved. With our rental service, you can keep a number for as long as you continue renewing it — from daily to monthly plans. This gives you a consistent number for ongoing verification needs.

Question 19

What happens to my messages after a rental expires?

Accepted Answer

When a rental expires, the number is released and your private messages are deleted from our system. We recommend saving any important information before your rental period ends. You can renew your rental at any time before it expires to keep access.

Question 20

How do I choose the best number for my needs?

Accepted Answer

For quick, one-time verifications, our free shared numbers work well. For private or sensitive verifications, use a paid activation. For ongoing needs where you need the same number repeatedly, rent a private number. US and UK numbers tend to have the highest acceptance rates across services.

Frequently Asked Questions