How to Create a Lyft Account Without Your Personal Number

Lyft asks for a phone number before you can book your first ride. If you’d rather keep your personal number out of one more app, a temporary non-VoIP number can receive the code for you. On Lyft, though, the number keeps working after sign-up, so it pays to choose it with care.

This guide explains how Lyft uses your number, which numbers it accepts, how to sign up with a temporary US number, and how to make sure you can still log in later.

Why does Lyft ask for your phone number?

Lyft’s help center lists three things you need to create an account: your phone number, your email address and a photo of yourself. Then it explains: “To verify your identity, we’ll send a verification code via text to your phone number.”

It isn’t a one-off. Lyft says: “You’ll need to enter a code to verify your phone number whenever you log in to the Lyft app.” That one sentence decides which number you should use.

Lyft also allows one account per person. Its terms say: “Each person may only create one User account”.

Does Lyft accept VoIP numbers?

Lyft’s own pages don’t quite agree. The account-creation article says: “The app only works with select VoIP carriers, such as Google Voice. Other services may not be supported, so use your smartphone’s phone number when creating an account.” The page on changing your number is stricter: “Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone numbers aren’t compatible with the Lyft Platform.”

Either way, a real mobile number is the safe choice. Lyft also warns that if you get an error when entering your number, “it may not be from a supported country.”

Not sure what kind of number you have? See how to check if a number is VoIP, or read our guide to VoIP vs non-VoIP numbers.

How to create a Lyft account with a temporary number

1. Create a free PVADeals account and add credits: crypto from $3, or a card through Stripe from $5.
2. Choose Lyft and the United States as the country. Choosing a US state or area code is optional.
3. Pick a rental length. A long-term number (3, 7, 14 or 30 days) suits Lyft best, for the reasons below. A short-term number lasts 20 minutes.
4. Tap Get started in the Lyft app and enter the number with the +1 country code.
5. Copy the code from your PVADeals dashboard and enter it in Lyft. Lyft says the text “should arrive immediately”; if it doesn’t, tap Resend code. Don’t choose “Call me with the code”, because PVADeals numbers receive SMS only.
6. Add your name, email and a selfie to finish. Use an email you check: it’s your way back in if you ever lose the number.

Short-term or long-term: which should you choose?

Because Lyft texts a code every time you log in, a short-term number (20 minutes) covers sign-up and not much more. Log out, or switch to a new phone, and Lyft will text a number you no longer have. Reuse after the 20 minutes isn’t guaranteed.

You have three ways to stay in control:

• Rent long-term. A long-term number (3 to 30 days, renewable for as long as you like) stays yours, so you can receive login codes whenever Lyft sends them. Turn on auto-renew to keep it for months.
• Turn on a passkey. Lyft says: “A passkey lets you sign in to the Lyft app with Face ID, your fingerprint, or your phone’s screen lock instead of waiting for a text message code.” Set it up right after sign-up.
• Know the recovery route. “If you can’t access the phone number on your Lyft account, we can use your email address to help you log in.” In the app, tap Get started, then Find my account, and enter your email.

If you do change numbers, update your existing account instead of creating a new one. Lyft warns that with a new account “you could lose account info (including your star rating and total ride count).”

Your driver and your phone number

Lyft already hides your number from drivers: “For calls and messages, the Lyft app uses a masked phone number so your personal contact info is hidden.” A temporary number adds a second layer, because your personal number never reaches your Lyft account at all.

One thing to know before your first ride: if your driver calls you through Lyft, the call goes to the number on your account, and PVADeals numbers can’t receive calls. Keep the Lyft app open at pickup, where you can follow your driver on the map.

If Lyft still won’t accept the number

• Wait a few minutes. Lyft’s advice is to “wait a few minutes to see if it comes through”, then resend.
• Code doesn’t match? Lyft says the code may have expired. Re-enter your number and request a new one.
• “Not from a supported country”? Check that you rented a US number and entered it with +1.
• No SMS at all? If an eligible number receives no SMS during the rental, its cost comes back to your balance automatically as store credit.

Keep your personal number private

A temporary non-VoIP number from PVADeals keeps your personal number out of your Lyft account. Learn more about our US non-VoIP numbers or see the prices below.

Using other apps to get around? Read our guides for Uber and DoorDash.