How Do I Get a Text Message Without a Cell Phone?

A cell phone is a frequent security requirement.

This is a common question when faced with services like Google and others that appear to insist you have a mobile number before you can create an account.

While I believe their reasons are both legit and important, not everyone agrees.

So, what can we do? I can think of a few options.

Getting text messages without a cell phone

Mobile phone verification is a challenge for folks without a text-capable phone because some services require SMS verification for security. Alternatives include: choosing alternative services, getting a cheap flip phone and service, converting landlines to mobile, using third-party SMS-capable VOIP services, and using a trusted friend's number.

Use a different service

I know this is annoying as heck and not always an option, but the bottom line is: if a service requires you to have something you do not and will not have, then don't use that service. Find another without the same requirements.

For example, if it's email you're looking for, there are several providers that don't have the mobile number requirement. ProtonMail is one example, but there are others.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help if what you're looking for isn't provided elsewhere (Google has many services beyond email, for example) or need the account to collaborate or interact with others using the same service.

We need other options.

Related

Why Do Services Like Google and Microsoft Ask for a Phone Number?

Many online services request your phone number. I'll look at how that's typically used and why it's a good thing.

Get a dirt-cheap flip phone and plan

I get that this is "caving" to the requirement, but it's one practical solution.

Look at your local mobile provider for the cheapest phone and the cheapest plan you can get. Be sure to look at the smaller carriers as well, as they often have cut-rate plans and devices. Remember, you don't need a new or "smart" phone to receive text messages. An older flip phone will work just fine and are significantly less expensive.

With this approach, you'll be assigned a phone number that you can use for text messages as long as you own the phone and stay subscribed to the mobile carrier.

This does represent an ongoing expense, but hopefully, you can minimize it to an acceptable level.

"Port" your landline to a mobile

If you are one of the 30% of American households (in 2024) who still have landlines, consider going mobile-only.

Usually, you can "port" your phone number so the phone number assigned to your current landline is reassigned to your new mobile. It then immediately becomes text/SMS capable.

Exactly how you do this will vary based on the carriers involved, but it's generally available and a great way to keep that phone number you've given to absolutely everyone.

Third-party SMS services

One solution is to sign up for a service that gives you text messaging capabilities using the internet and doesn't require a phone at all.

There are, essentially, three types of these services. The first two tend to involve a subscription fee.

• VOIP providers. These services provide full "voice over IP" telephone services. You're assigned a number that can receive both voice calls and text messages. The specifics of how these are accessed vary depending on the provider.
• SMS-only providers. There are fewer of these, but they essentially do the same thing: assign you a number capable of receiving texts that are provided to you via email, web notifications, or something else.

In both of these cases, you're assigned a phone number just as if you had set up a new account with a landline or mobile provider -- hence the cost.

The third type is not something I recommend.

• Temporary SMS providers. These allow you to use a specific phone number for a very limited time in order to receive a text message.

I don't recommend these. The reason the service wants you to have a text-capable number in the first place is so you can recover your account if you get locked out at some point in the future. Since the number used is temporary, you lose access to it after you've used it for the initial short period.

I include it because some people are willing to live with the possibility of losing their account later.

Use a trusted friend with a mobile phone

This might be the cheapest and quickest solution. If you have a friend you truly trust who has a phone number capable of receiving text messages, use their number (with their permission, of course).

You only need to coordinate with them when initially setting up the account that requires a mobile number, and then possibly later if you ever find yourself being asked for additional verification (such as when attempting to recover the account).

Do beware, though: they could take over your account. If you ever fall out of friendship or lose trust in them, make sure to change your mobile number to something else.

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