Airbnb Phone Verification and Verification Codes

An Airbnb verification code is the one-time code Airbnb sends to your phone: a 4-digit text when you add your number, and passcodes for two-factor authentication and other security checks. Guests need a verified phone number before they can book, and hosts before they can list.

Your number doesn’t stay between you and Airbnb, though: once a reservation is accepted, the other party can see it. So if you use a second number, it has to last your whole stay.

When does Airbnb send a verification code?

Airbnb’s phone verification article says: “Hosts need to verify their phone numbers before listing their homes, and guests must have a verified phone number before making a reservation.” After that, codes come up here:

Two-factor authentication guards some parts of your account and is required for all hosts in the European Economic Area.

Phone verification isn’t identity verification

Identity verification is a separate step: “Every host, new co-host, and booking guest must be identity verified to use our platform.” Airbnb checks details like your legal name against trusted third-party sources or a government ID, and may ask for an ID photo and a selfie.

A second phone number doesn’t change any of that, and it isn’t a way around it. Airbnb asks that the information you provide is “valid, accurate, and up to date.”

Which numbers can receive an Airbnb verification code?

Airbnb says some phone types might not receive its code: landlines, commercial lines that route to several extensions, and “most virtual phone numbers, such as VOIP services.” If Airbnb says a number is already in use, it may be on another Airbnb account of yours: log in with your email instead, or remove the number from that account.

A non-VoIP number is a real mobile number from a carrier, so Airbnb sees an ordinary phone. See how to check if a number is VoIP.

Your host or guest will use this number

Airbnb is clear: “After a reservation is accepted, all phone numbers on an account will be displayed to the other party, whether you’re a guest or a host.” Once your number is on your account, “guests, hosts, and Airbnb can contact you about your reservation.” Airbnb masks numbers for some users in the US and Canada, but not for everyone.

So the number has to work for the whole trip:

• A 20-minute number is the wrong tool: it expires long before check-in.
• A long-term number (3, 7, 14 or 30 days, with auto-renew) can cover your stay; renew it until you’ve checked out.
• An All services plan, or your own number, suits hosts and frequent travelers.
• PVADeals numbers receive SMS only. A host’s call won’t reach you, so keep Airbnb notifications on. Airbnb’s own advice is to “keep all payments and communication on the Airbnb platform.”

How to verify Airbnb with a PVADeals number

1. Create a free PVADeals account and add credits: crypto from $3, or a card through Stripe from $5.
2. Choose Airbnb from the list of websites and your country: the United States or the United Kingdom. If it isn’t listed for your country, rent an All services number instead, which works on any website.
3. Pick a long-term rental that covers your trip, and turn on auto-renew.
4. On Airbnb, open Personal information in your account, go to Phone number and click Edit. Select your country and code, enter the number and click Verify.
5. Copy the 4-digit code from your PVADeals dashboard, where it appears as soon as it arrives, and enter it.

Changing your number, and codes that don’t arrive

To change the number, go to Personal information > Phone number > Edit. Airbnb says: “You will need to use two-factor authentication before adding or updating your phone number.” Can’t reach any number on your account? Choose Need Help on the two-factor screen; Airbnb says it will get in touch within 12–24 hours.

If the code doesn’t arrive, Airbnb’s troubleshooting article suggests clearing your cache or trying a private window or another browser, checking the country code, and then trying a different number. If an eligible PVADeals number receives no SMS during the rental, its cost comes back to your balance automatically as store credit.

Travel without your personal number

A non-VoIP number from PVADeals keeps your personal number off Airbnb. See our US and UK phone numbers and the prices below, or read our guides for Uber and Lyft.