Guide
Using a temporary number for verification codes
A lot of websites and apps ask for a phone number to send a one time verification code. Receiving that code on a temporary number keeps your personal number private, but it only makes sense for some kinds of accounts.
When a temporary number works well
- One off sign ups you don't plan to keep, such as a trial, a raffle or a single purchase
- Accounts on your own apps and test environments while you build them
- Services you use once while travelling
When to use your own number instead
Temporary numbers are reused after a cooldown. If an account depends on the number later, the person who rents it next could receive your codes, and you could lose access.
- Banking, payments and anything with money in it
- Your main email, cloud storage and social accounts
- Government, health and work accounts
- Any account where the phone number is used to log in again or to reset a password
How it works with GimmeSMS
- Rent a number in the country the service expects
- Enter it where the site asks for your phone number
- The code appears in your inbox within seconds, highlighted so you can copy it in one tap
- Once you are verified, let the rental expire
Play fair
Use temporary numbers only for your own accounts. Creating accounts in bulk, getting around bans or limits, and any kind of fraud are against the GimmeSMS acceptable use policy and against the rules of most platforms.
Try GimmeSMS
Rent a real number for $2.20 an hour, from 1 to 48 hours, and read your texts live in your browser. Available now in United States, Canada, Netherlands.