Mercari Phone Number Verification and Changing Your Number

Mercari asks every user to verify a phone number, and it uses that number to protect and recover your account. Mercari phone number verification takes a 4-digit code sent by text, and it only works with numbers Mercari can verify: not international, prepaid or VoIP ones.

This guide covers how verification works, which numbers to use, how to change your phone number on Mercari, and what changes if you sell.

Does Mercari require phone number verification?

Yes. Mercari’s help center says: “We ask all users to verify their phone numbers to make sure they’re a real person and to help in the recovery of a lost account.” New accounts do it at sign-up: after your email and password, you verify your email with a one-time code, choose a username and verify your phone number.

Older accounts are being asked too. Mercari says it’s “requesting all users verify their email address or phone number,” and accounts that haven’t done so may find chat or listing functions restricted.

The code arrives as a text with a 4-digit number. Mercari can also call you with it, but PVADeals numbers receive SMS only, so stick with the text.

Which numbers can Mercari verify?

Mercari is direct about this in its phone verification article: “Mercari is unable to verify international, prepaid, or VoIP phone numbers.” Its security page adds that “some VoIP phone numbers can’t receive texts from a shortcode number.”

Mercari also allows one account per person: “We only allow users to create one account each.” A second number keeps your personal number private. It isn’t a way to open more accounts.

A PVADeals number is a real US mobile number from a carrier (non-VoIP). Mercari decides what it accepts, so no service can promise a number will verify. Read more about VoIP vs non-VoIP numbers.

How to verify Mercari 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 Mercari from the list of websites, with the United States as the country. If it isn’t listed, rent an All services number instead, which works on any website.
3. Pick a rental. A long-term number (3, 7, 14 or 30 days) is the better fit for Mercari; see below. A short-term number lasts 20 minutes.
4. Enter the number during sign-up, or under Profile > Trust & Verification, and ask for a text message.
5. Copy the 4-digit code from your PVADeals dashboard, where it appears as soon as it arrives. Mercari’s codes expire after 10 minutes.

How to change your phone number on Mercari

Mercari keeps the setting with your notifications:

1. Go to Profile > Settings > Notifications.
2. Tap Change your mobile number.
3. Enter the new number and verify it. Mercari asks you to verify the new number at the time of the change.

If you use 2-step verification, Mercari adds: “If your phone number changes, be sure to update your Mercari account with the new number.” Do it while you can still sign in. If you can’t receive a text and can’t log in, Mercari asks you to contact it through the Help Center.

Selling on Mercari? Keep the number

Your number is how Mercari helps you recover a lost account, and with 2-step verification on, “every time you log in, we’ll send you an SMS verification code.” Mercari strongly recommends turning that on. You can also earn a Verified badge with a verified email, phone and government ID, and Mercari says verification unlocks features like Instant Pay.

So if you sell, or plan to keep the account, a 20-minute number is the wrong tool. Use a long-term number with auto-renew, which stays yours for as long as you renew it, an All services plan, or your own number.

If Mercari won’t verify the number

• Code expired? Codes last 10 minutes. Tap Resend Code for a new one.
• Too many attempts? Mercari says to “wait a few minutes and then request a new code.”
• Stuck on sign-up? Update to the latest version of the Mercari app and try again.
• Number refused? Check that it’s a US mobile number, not international, prepaid or VoIP.
• No SMS at all? If an eligible PVADeals number receives no SMS during the rental, its cost comes back to your balance automatically as store credit.

Keep your personal number private

A US non-VoIP number from PVADeals verifies your Mercari account without your personal number. See our US phone numbers and the prices below, or read our guides for Poshmark, eBay and OfferUp.