53 answers · updated regularly
Frequently asked questions
PhoneBorn numbers are real mobile numbers — not VoIP — with unlimited incoming SMS and calls, monthly outgoing SMS and call minutes, and a7-day money-back guarantee if unused. You keep the number as long as you renew. Everything else is answered below, or contact support — we reply within 24 hours.
General7
What is PhoneBorn?
PhoneBorn gives you a real mobile number in 200 countries without a SIM card, ID or bank card. Every phone-number plan includes unlimited incoming SMS, 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 calling minutes a month, plus unlimited incoming calls. You sign up with an email, pay with crypto and manage everything from your dashboard.
Is a PhoneBorn number a real mobile number?
Yes. PhoneBorn numbers are real mobile numbers from mobile number ranges — not VoIP, not a virtual number and not a shared inbox. That matters because WhatsApp, Instagram, Google and banks often look up a number's line type and refuse VoIP numbers before they send a code.
How is this different from a virtual number or a free SMS website?
Virtual (VoIP) numbers are often refused by sign-up flows, and free SMS websites show every code on a public page that thousands of people share. A PhoneBorn number is a real mobile number assigned only to you, with a private inbox, outgoing SMS, calling minutes and the option to keep it as long as you want.
How does PhoneBorn work?
Create an account with just an email, top up your wallet with crypto, then pick a country and a monthly or yearly plan. The number is assigned instantly. Incoming SMS appear in your live inbox within seconds, and you can send SMS and make calls from the same dashboard.
Which countries are available?
Numbers are available in 200 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. The countries page shows live prices and stock for each one, and you can browse without an account.
Can I use my number from any device?
Yes. Your inbox and calling tools live in the browser, so you can use your number on a laptop, tablet or phone — anywhere you can sign in. Developers can also read messages through the REST API or receive them by webhook.
Do I need to provide ID or personal details?
No. PhoneBorn is zero-KYC: an email address and password are all you need. We never ask for your name, ID documents, home address or an existing phone number.
Plans, SMS & Calls8
What does every phone-number plan include?
Every monthly and yearly plan includes unlimited incoming SMS, 500 outgoing SMS per month, 1,000 calling minutes per month and unlimited incoming calls. The number works with WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, Telegram and 110+ apps, and it stays yours on every renewal.
Can I make and receive calls?
Yes. Every plan includes 1,000 minutes of outgoing calls per month and unlimited incoming calls. That covers voice verification codes, calls with contacts and short business calls without a second SIM.
Can I send SMS from my number?
Yes. Every plan includes 500 outgoing SMS per month, sent from your number in the dashboard. Outgoing SMS are for personal and business conversations — bulk or marketing messaging is not allowed under our Terms.
Is incoming SMS really unlimited?
Yes. There is no cap and no per-message charge on incoming SMS. Receive verification codes, alerts and messages from any sender for as long as your plan is active.
Do the SMS and call allowances apply to yearly plans too?
Yes. Yearly plans include the same allowances as monthly plans — 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 calling minutes for every month of the year — at a lower price per month.
What happens when I use up my monthly allowance?
Incoming SMS and incoming calls are never limited, so codes and calls keep reaching you. Outgoing SMS and outgoing call minutes refresh at the start of your next monthly cycle.
What is the difference between monthly and yearly plans?
Both give you the same real mobile number with the same allowances. Monthly renews every 30 days; yearly renews every 365 days and costs much less per month. You can switch plan when you renew.
Do the plan allowances apply to OTP numbers?
No. OTP numbers are a separate single-use product: they receive one verification code for one service and are then released. Outgoing SMS, calling minutes and the money-back guarantee apply only to phone-number plans.
Keeping Your Number6
Can I keep my number forever?
You can keep your number for as long as you want. It stays yours on every renewal — monthly or yearly — and is never given to another customer while your plan is active. Turn on auto-renew and it renews from your wallet before it expires.
Will I get the same number when I renew?
Yes. Renewing extends the plan on the exact same number. That is what makes it safe for WhatsApp, banking apps and account recovery, where you may need to re-verify months later.
How does auto-renew work?
With auto-renew on, we renew your plan from your wallet within 24 hours before it expires. If your balance is too low, the number enters a short grace period so you can top up before it is released.
What happens if my plan expires?
If it is not renewed, the number moves to a short grace period (3 days by default) and is then released. After release you can no longer receive messages or calls on it, so keep auto-renew on for any number you use for account recovery.
Can I change the country of my number?
A number's country cannot be changed, but you can add numbers in any other country at any time. Many customers keep numbers in several countries for different platforms.
Can I have several numbers on one account?
Yes. There is no limit — add as many numbers and OTP orders as you need and manage them from one dashboard or through the API.
WhatsApp, Instagram & Apps5
How do I get a real mobile number for WhatsApp?
Buy a phone-number plan in the country you want, enter the number in WhatsApp and choose SMS or call verification. The code appears in your PhoneBorn inbox within seconds. Because you keep the number, you can re-verify WhatsApp on a new phone later.
Does it work with Instagram, Google and Telegram?
Yes. PhoneBorn numbers work with WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, Telegram, Facebook, TikTok, Discord, ChatGPT and 110+ other apps. Each platform makes its own acceptance decisions, so if one refuses a specific number, our support team will help you pick a country with strong delivery.
Can I receive voice verification calls?
Yes. Incoming calls are unlimited on every plan, so services that offer a “call me” verification option can reach your number.
Can I use the number for WhatsApp Business?
Yes. WhatsApp Business works well on a number you keep: register once, re-verify whenever WhatsApp asks and give customers a number that belongs to the business, not to someone's personal phone.
Can I use one number for several apps?
Yes. A phone-number plan receives SMS from any sender, so you can use the same number for WhatsApp, Telegram, Google and your other accounts at the same time.
Money-Back Guarantee & Refunds6
What is the 7-day money-back guarantee?
If your number has not sent or received a single SMS or call, you can get a full refund within 7 days of purchase — no questions asked. Open the number in your dashboard and press “Request refund”. Eligible refunds are returned to your wallet instantly.
Who is eligible for a refund?
A phone-number plan is eligible if the request is made within 7 days (168 hours) of purchase and the number has not sent or received any SMS and has not made or received any call. One refund is available per purchase.
How do I request a refund?
Open the number in your dashboard and press “Request refund”. If the number is eligible, the full price is returned to your wallet instantly and the number is released. No support ticket and no explanation needed.
Can I get a refund on a renewal?
Yes, under the same rule: within 7 days of a renewal, if the number has had no SMS and no calls since that renewal, you can get the renewal price back. Activity from before the renewal does not count.
How are OTP orders refunded?
OTP orders are refunded automatically if no code arrives within the order window, and you can cancel before a code arrives for an instant full refund. Once a code is delivered, the OTP order is complete.
Where does my refund go?
Refunds are credited to your PhoneBorn wallet, where you can use them for any number or OTP order. Wallet balance is not converted back to cryptocurrency except at our discretion, as described in the Refund Policy.
Payments & Pricing5
How do I pay?
PhoneBorn is crypto-only. Top up your wallet with BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, LTC, TRX, BNB, SOL, DOGE and more. You see the exact amount, the address, a QR code and a countdown; your wallet is credited once the payment confirms.
How does the wallet work?
Your wallet is a prepaid USD balance. Plans, renewals and OTP orders are paid from it, and every change appears in your transaction history with the resulting balance. Refunds go straight back to the wallet.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price shown is the price you pay: no setup fees, no per-SMS charges on incoming messages and no fees for cancelling an OTP order before a code arrives. Blockchain network fees go to the network, not to us.
What happens if I send the wrong crypto amount?
Always send the exact amount shown. Underpayments are not credited automatically; overpayments and late payments are reviewed by support, who credit your wallet once the transaction is verified. Contact us with the transaction hash.
Why crypto only?
Crypto lets you pay without a card statement, billing name or bank account linked to your number. It is the same reason we ask only for an email: the less identity data exists, the less there is to leak.
Single-Use OTP Numbers5
What is an OTP number?
An OTP number is a single-use number for one verification. You choose a service and a country, receive exactly one code, and the number is released. You pay per code and only when a code arrives.
OTP number or phone-number plan — which should I choose?
Choose a phone-number plan for any account you want to keep: you get the same number on every renewal, outgoing SMS, calls and the money-back guarantee. Choose an OTP number for a quick one-off sign-up where you will never need the number again.
What if the code never arrives?
You are not charged. If no code arrives within the order window, the order expires and the full price returns to your wallet automatically. You can also cancel before a code arrives for an instant refund.
How long does an OTP order stay open?
Each order stays open for a fixed window — 20 minutes by default — which is plenty for a normal verification flow. The countdown is shown in your dashboard.
Can I receive several codes on one OTP number?
No. OTP numbers receive one code and cannot send SMS or make calls. If you need several messages or want to re-verify later, a phone-number plan is the right choice.
Privacy & Acceptable Use4
Who can see my SMS and call history?
Only you. Your number is assigned exclusively to your account, so no other customer can read your codes or messages — unlike public free-SMS websites.
What data do you keep?
Your email, a hashed password, sign-in IP logs, payment transaction hashes, and the SMS and call records of your numbers so you can see them in your dashboard. We never sell data and never ask for identity documents. Retention periods are listed in our Privacy Policy.
Is it legal to use a second phone number?
Yes, using a second number to protect your privacy is legal in most countries. What matters is how you use it: fraud, spam, bulk messaging, robocalls, harassment and impersonation are prohibited and lead to immediate suspension.
Can I send bulk or marketing SMS?
No. The 500 outgoing SMS per month are for person-to-person conversations. Bulk messaging, marketing blasts, automated dialling and robocalls are not allowed, and accounts that attempt them are suspended.
Troubleshooting4
I'm not receiving an SMS. What should I do?
Check that the country selected in the app matches the number's dial code, wait 60–90 seconds before requesting again and avoid pressing resend repeatedly. If the app offers a voice call instead, choose it — incoming calls are included. Still stuck? Contact support.
The app rejected my number. What now?
Each platform has its own rules and some block certain countries. If the number has had no SMS or calls, you can use the 7-day money-back guarantee and try another country. For OTP orders, cancel for an instant refund.
My code says it is wrong or expired.
Use the most recent code — if you requested more than once, only the latest is valid — and enter it in the same browser session that requested it. Codes are highlighted in your inbox with one-click copy.
I can't find my number in the dashboard.
Phone-number plans are listed under My Numbers and OTP orders under OTP Numbers. An expired plan is shown as expired or released. Still missing? Contact support with your account email.
Account & Support3
How do I reset my password?
Use the “Forgot password” link on the sign-in page. We email you a 6-digit code; enter it with your new password and you are back in.
How do I close my account?
Go to Settings in your dashboard and choose Delete account. Your email is anonymised and active numbers are released. Remaining wallet balance is not refundable by default, so use it first.
How do I contact support?
Email [email protected] or use the contact form. A person replies within 24 hours, 7 days a week — include the number or order ID if your question is about a specific purchase.
Still have a question?
A real person on our support team replies within 24 hours, every day of the week.