Do you need a temporary phone number to receive a code via SMS? We’ll show you how to get access to such a number.
Various online services now require you to provide a phone number when registering. Not everyone wants to give up their anonymity just to test a new service. A temporary phone number can help, although it’s worth exercising caution when using it. Find out now where you can find such a number online.
A temporary phone number is a phone number that you only use for a limited period of time, for example to receive a verification code via SMS. The purposes for such a number are varied, but are mostly aimed at protecting your own privacy. Prepaid SIM cards have no longer been anonymous since July 1, 2017, as identification has been required for registration since this date.
Various online services provide you with temporary phone numbers that generally also work in Germany. In most cases the telephone number is not in German. Platforms such as receivesms.org, online-sms.org or sms-online.co offer you a manageable selection of telephone numbers from different countries that can be used to receive SMS codes as desired. Please note, however, that the SMS received can be viewed publicly by everyone on the respective web portal. Purposes for using temporary phone numbers can be:
As an alternative to a temporary phone number, there are some services that allow you to create your own virtual online phone number. You don’t need a SIM card or a landline connection for this. However, such offers usually come with costs. One of the best-known providers of such online numbers is Skype, but Placetel and Fonial also offer corresponding services.
To register with WhatsApp, you have the option of using and creating temporary phone numbers. Please note that these phone numbers may be shared with other people at a later date. Subsequent users could take over your registered account! Avoid sharing sensitive information with user accounts that you have registered using a temporary phone number.
A temporary telephone number is no longer required to register anonymously with the Telegram messenger service. The operator offers users the opportunity to purchase a phone number for registration for a one-time fee via a web portal called Fragment. Various numbers are available to choose from via auction, although the prices vary greatly and depend on the price of Telegram’s in-house cryptocurrency TON. Please note that these numbers only work for registering with Telegram – regular SMS and calls are not possible via them.