Temporary phone number FAQ

TempSMSVerify is a service that rents you temporary phone numbers to receive SMS verification codes. You pick an app and a country, enter the number in that app and read the code in your browser. Your balance is charged only if the code arrives, and it's refunded automatically if it doesn't.

A temporary phone number is a phone number reserved for you for a short time, here up to 20 minutes, to receive SMS messages. It's meant for one-time verification codes at sign-up or login. It isn't a long-term line, and it can't make or receive calls.

No. TempSMSVerify works in your web browser. You don't need a SIM card, a contract, a second phone or an app. Codes appear in your dashboard as soon as they arrive, and developers can fetch them through the API instead.

TempSMSVerify offers numbers from 140+ countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Germany, sourced from licensed providers. Price and availability are set per app and country, and you'll see both before you buy, so you can compare options.

TempSMSVerify covers hundreds of apps and websites, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Google, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Tinder and ChatGPT. Apps change their checks often, so a number works for most services, not every service every time. If a code doesn't arrive, you're refunded.

Codes usually arrive within seconds to a few minutes after the app sends them. Your number stays reserved for up to 20 minutes, which leaves time to retry. If the window ends with no SMS, the full amount returns to your balance automatically.

Public inbox sites post shared numbers on a page anyone can read. Those numbers are used by thousands of people, so apps often block them, and anyone can see your code. TempSMSVerify reserves a private number for your order, shows the code only to you and refunds you if nothing arrives.

When you order, the price is frozen in your balance, not charged. It's charged only when an SMS arrives for your order. If the number expires or you cancel before any SMS, the frozen amount returns to your balance automatically and in full. You never pay for a missing code.

Refunds are automatic. If no SMS arrives before the number expires after up to 20 minutes, or you cancel the order, the full price goes back to your TempSMSVerify balance. You don't need to open a ticket. The refund policy page explains every case in detail.

Each app and country pair costs a different amount to source. Some countries are in higher demand, some apps have stricter checks, and stock changes during the day. TempSMSVerify shows the live price for every pair in the catalog, so you always know the cost before ordering.

No. TempSMSVerify has no plans, monthly fees or auto-renewals. You top up your balance and pay per verification. Your balance never expires, so you can use it whenever you need a code, even months later. Failed orders are refunded to that same balance automatically.

No. While your number is active, you can request another code on the same number at no extra cost. You pay once per order, at the moment the first SMS arrives, no matter how many codes follow during the activation window.

Yes. Your dashboard shows your current balance, any amount frozen for active orders, and the history of your orders and top-ups with their status. If something looks wrong, open a ticket from the dashboard and include the order ID so we can check it quickly.

TempSMSVerify accepts Card via Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay); Crypto (USDC or SOL on Solana). Card is the default option and runs through Stripe's secure checkout; a 10% card processing fee is added on top, and the full top-up goes to your balance. Crypto top-ups have no fee. Your balance is kept in US dollars.

The minimum top-up is $5. Start small, test the apps you need, and add more only when you want to. Your balance never expires, and there's no subscription, so unused funds simply wait in your account until your next verification.

Yes. Card top-ups through Stripe carry a 10% processing fee, added on top of the amount you choose. Top up $10 and your card is charged $11, while the full $10 goes to your balance. The fee is shown before you pay. Crypto top-ups have no processing fee.

Card top-ups are credited a few seconds after Stripe confirms the payment. Crypto top-ups appear after the network confirms the transaction, which usually takes moments on Solana. If a payment doesn't show up, open a ticket with the payment reference or transaction ID.

For crypto, only send the tokens and network shown on the top-up page (USDC or SOL on Solana). Payments sent on another network may not be recoverable. Open a ticket right away with the transaction ID and the amount, and our team will check what can be done.

Every top-up and order is recorded in your dashboard history with its date, amount and status. That record works as your receipt. If you need something more formal for your accounting, open a ticket and tell us what details you need.

Each number is reserved for up to 20 minutes. During that time you can receive the first code and request more at no extra cost. When the window ends, the order closes and the number returns to the provider, who may assign it to someone else later.

The cancel button unlocks after about 2 minutes. That short provider-side delay gives the app time to send the SMS. You can cancel any order that hasn't received a code, and the full price returns to your balance immediately. Orders that already received a code are paid and can't be canceled.

Check that the app's country code matches the number, choose SMS instead of a voice call, and wait a minute before resending. Make sure you ordered for the right app. If nothing comes, cancel or let it expire for a full refund and try another country.

Some apps remember numbers used before, sometimes by another person. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Cancel the order after about 2 minutes for a full refund, then try a new number or a different country. The catalog shows live stock for each option.

No. A temporary number can't receive future login codes once it expires. After verifying, turn on an authenticator app or passkey in the app's security settings and save the backup codes. For accounts you must recover later, use a number you control long-term.

No. TempSMSVerify numbers receive SMS only. If an app offers a choice between a text message and a phone call, always choose the text message. If the app only offers a voice call, it isn't a good fit for a temporary number.

Yes. TempSMSVerify offers a REST API plus an SMS-Activate-compatible endpoint. You can list prices and stock, order numbers, read codes and cancel orders from your own code. The API docs page covers authentication, endpoints and examples. Your API key is available after your first top-up.

Your API key becomes available in the dashboard after your first top-up of at least $5. Keep it secret, since anyone with the key can spend your balance. If you think it leaked, open a ticket right away and we'll help you secure your account.

Yes. TempSMSVerify provides an SMS-Activate-compatible endpoint, so many tools built for that protocol work after you change the base URL and API key. Check the API docs and the SMS-Activate alternative guide for supported actions and any differences before you switch production traffic.

Yes. API orders follow the same rule as the website: the price is frozen at order, charged only when an SMS arrives and refunded automatically if the number expires or you cancel. Prices come from the same live catalog, so what you see on the website is what the API charges.

Yes. Many teams use TempSMSVerify to test their own sign-up and OTP flows with temporary phone numbers from 140+ countries. You only pay for test runs where the SMS actually arrives, which keeps failed test runs from costing money.

Using a temporary number to verify your own account is legal in most countries. What matters is how you use it. You must follow each service's terms and our Acceptable Use Policy. Fraud, spam, harassment and getting around bans are not allowed.

You may not use TempSMSVerify for fraud, scams, spam, impersonation, harassment, evading bans or suspensions, mass account creation, or anything illegal. You may not verify accounts that aren't yours. We close accounts that break these rules. The Acceptable Use Policy lists everything in full.

No. Your number is reserved for your order during the activation window, and the SMS shows only in your logged-in dashboard or through your API key. Protect your account with a strong password and never share codes with people who contact you.

It keeps your personal number private from the app you're verifying, which reduces spam and exposure in data breaches. It doesn't hide who you are from the app or the law, and it isn't meant to. Our privacy policy explains what TempSMSVerify stores about your account.

No. For banking, your main email and other accounts you can't afford to lose, use a phone number you control long-term. A temporary number expires, so you couldn't receive recovery codes later. Use temporary numbers for one-time verification on services where losing access later wouldn't hurt you.