Guides: phone numbers, SMS verification and SIP

Straight answers about phone numbers, SMS verification, SIP and paying with crypto — written by the Smart Messaging team. Every guide is also available in 11 other languages.

• How to get a phone number in another country — How to get a real mobile or local phone number in another country without living there: options, setup steps, costs from $1.80/month and common pitfalls.
• How to verify WhatsApp without a SIM card — Set up WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business on a real second number without a SIM card: step by step, fixes if the code fails, and costs from $1.80/month.
• Receive SMS online: free public numbers vs a private number — Why free receive-SMS-online numbers fail for WhatsApp, Google and banks, and when a private real number from $1.80/month is the safer choice. Honest guide.
• What is a SIP number? — SIP phone numbers in plain English: how they work, what the server, username and password do, and how to connect Zoiper, 3CX or Asterisk. From $1.80/mo.
• How to get a US phone number from outside the USA — Get a real +1 US phone number from any country for SMS, calls, WhatsApp and US clients. Mobile, local or toll-free from $1.80/month billed yearly.
• How to get a UK phone number from abroad — Get a real +44 UK phone number from any country: mobile 07, London 020 or 0800 freephone. SMS, calls and WhatsApp, from $1.80/month billed yearly.
• Local, mobile or toll-free: which number should you choose? — The practical differences between local, mobile and toll-free phone numbers: SMS support, trust, cost for callers and best uses. Any type from $1.80/month.
• How to pay for a phone number with crypto — How to buy a phone number with USDT or USDC: supported networks, exact amounts, timing and refunds if you pay late. Numbers from $1.80/month billed yearly.
• Virtual number vs real mobile number: what's the difference? — Virtual number vs real mobile number: what the terms mean, why some apps reject certain number types and what to check first. Real numbers from $1.80/month.
• A Google Voice alternative for users outside the US — Google Voice personal accounts are US-only. Here is a practical alternative: real numbers in 181 countries with SMS, calls and SIP, from $1.80 per month.
• How to get a second phone number for your business — How to get a second phone number for your business: dual SIM, apps or SIP, local vs toll-free, team access and forwarding. Real numbers from $1.80/month.
• Verification code not received? How to fix SMS OTP problems — Verification code not received? Practical fixes for SMS OTP problems: timers, number format, rate limits, voice calls and number type. Numbers from $1.80/mo.
• Skype Number alternative after Skype's shutdown — Skype is gone, but you still need a number people can call. Get a real number in 181 countries with calls, SMS and SIP, from $1.80 per month.
• TextNow alternative for numbers outside the US and Canada — Need a number outside the US and Canada? Get a real mobile or local number in 181 countries with SMS, calls and SIP, from $1.80 per month.
• How to choose a virtual number for WhatsApp: 7 checks — Seven checks before you buy a virtual number for WhatsApp: number type, privacy, SMS and calls, renewal and guarantees. Real numbers from $1.80/month.
• How to Set Up a SIP Dialer: Step-by-Step Guide — How to set up a SIP dialer in minutes: get a real number, copy its SIP username and password, enter server, port and codecs, then register and test a call.
• Web Dialer: How to Call From Your Browser With Your Own Number — Use a web dialer to call from your browser with your own real number as caller ID. No app to install; pick a number, allow the microphone and dial worldwide.
• SIP Dialer vs Softphone vs Predictive Dialer (and Auto Dialer) — SIP dialer vs softphone vs predictive dialer vs auto dialer: what each does, who needs which, and how each connects to real numbers over SIP. A neutral guide.
• SIP Troubleshooting: Fix Registration Failed, One-Way Audio and More — SIP troubleshooting guide: fix SIP registration failed, 401/403 errors, one-way audio, no audio, dropped calls at 30 seconds and DTMF issues with clear steps.
• DID Numbers Explained: What Is a DID Number and How Does It Differ From a Virtual Number? — What is a DID number? Learn how DID numbers work, how they differ from a virtual number, extension or toll-free line, and how to get a real DID with SIP fast.
• How to get a Canada phone number from abroad — Get a Canada phone number from abroad online: a real +1 mobile, local or toll-free number for SMS, calls and WhatsApp, with no Canadian address needed.
• How to get an Australian phone number from abroad — Get an Australia phone number from abroad: a real +61 mobile, local or toll-free number online for SMS, calls and app verification, active in minutes.
• How to get a German phone number from abroad — Get a Germany phone number from abroad online: a real +49 mobile, local or toll-free number for SMS, calls and WhatsApp, usually active within minutes.
• How to get an Indian phone number from abroad — Get an India phone number from abroad: a real +91 mobile, local or toll-free number online for OTPs, WhatsApp and calls, with no Indian SIM required.
• How to get a UAE phone number from abroad — Get a UAE phone number from abroad: a real +971 mobile, local or toll-free number online for SMS, calls and verification, usually live in minutes.
• How to get a Singapore phone number from abroad — Get a Singapore phone number from abroad: a real +65 mobile, local or toll-free number online for SMS, calls and app verification, ready in minutes.
• How to get a Netherlands phone number from abroad — Get a Netherlands phone number from abroad: a real +31 mobile, Amsterdam local or toll-free number online, with SMS, calls and SIP. Sign up with just an email.
• How to get a French phone number from abroad — Get a France phone number from abroad online: a real +33 mobile, Paris local or toll-free number with SMS, calls and SIP, active within minutes of payment.
• How to get a Spanish phone number from abroad — Get a Spain phone number from abroad: a real +34 mobile, Madrid local or toll-free number online with SMS, calls, SIP and forwarding. Email sign-up only.
• How to get a Brazilian phone number from abroad — Get a Brazil phone number from abroad: a real +55 mobile, Sao Paulo local or 0800 number online, with SMS, calls and SIP. Sign up with an email address.
• How to get a Mexican phone number from abroad — Get a Mexico phone number from abroad: a real +52 mobile, Mexico City local or toll-free number online with SMS, calls and SIP, ready within minutes.
• How to get a Hong Kong phone number from abroad — Get a Hong Kong phone number from abroad: a real +852 mobile, local or toll-free number online with SMS, calls and SIP. Sign up with only an email address.
• Non-VoIP vs VoIP Numbers: What the Labels Mean and How Apps Check Them — Non-VoIP vs VoIP numbers explained: how apps read line type from carrier databases, a side-by-side comparison, and what to do if an app rejects a number.
• Temporary Phone Number vs a Number You Keep: Which Is Safer for Verification? — Temporary phone number or one you keep? See why disposable numbers put accounts at risk and compare free SMS sites, short rentals and a number you own.
• How to Keep a WhatsApp Number Long Term and Handle Re-Verification — Keep your WhatsApp number for years: why WhatsApp re-verifies, how to avoid losing access, and a setup checklist using a real number you renew yearly.
• International Toll-Free Numbers for Business: A Practical Guide — Get an international toll-free number for customer support: how toll-free works by country, who pays, what to check, and how to answer calls from a browser.
• How to Forward Calls from a Virtual Number to Any Phone — Set up call forwarding from a virtual number to any phone: step-by-step setup, forwarding vs SIP vs web dialer, caller ID behaviour and troubleshooting tips.
• Virtual Number Cost: How to Compare Prices and Billing Models — What does a virtual number cost? Compare billing models, number types, setup fees, per-minute charges and inclusions so you can find a cheap number that lasts.

Use cases

• Phone number for WhatsApp
• Phone number for WhatsApp Business
• Phone number for Telegram
• Phone number for Signal
• Phone number for Viber
• Phone number for Instagram
• Phone number for Facebook
• Phone number for TikTok
• Phone number for Snapchat
• Phone number for X (Twitter)
• Phone number for Discord
• Phone number for LinkedIn
• Phone number for Google
• Phone number for Microsoft
• Phone number for your business
• Phone number for online sellers
• Phone number for customer support
• Phone number for travelers
• Phone number for expats
• Phone number for privacy
• Phone number for Call centers
• Phone number for Real estate agents
• Phone number for Recruiters
• Phone number for Freelancers
• Phone number for Remote teams
• Phone number for E-commerce support
• Phone number for ChatGPT
• Phone number for Tinder
• Phone number for WeChat
• Phone number for LINE
• Phone number for Zalo
• Phone number for KakaoTalk
• Phone number for imo
• Phone number for Apple ID
• Phone number for Yahoo
• Phone number for Amazon Seller

Included on every plan

• Unlimited incoming SMS
• Unlimited incoming calls
• 500 outgoing SMS per month
• 1,000 outgoing minutes per month
• SIP credentials, call forwarding and web dialer
• Keep your number as long as you want
• Works with WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, Telegram and thousands more
• 7-day replacement guarantee — free new number if it doesn't work for you
• 7-day money-back guarantee if the number is unused

Numbers from $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year). Pay with USDT or USDC.