Temporary Phone Number for Gmail Verification

When you create a Gmail account, Google often asks you to verify a phone number before it lets you in. If you would rather not hand over your personal number, or the number you tried was rejected, a temporary non-VoIP number can receive the code for you.

This guide explains why Google asks for a number, why it rejects some numbers, and how to verify Gmail with a temporary US or UK number without losing access to your account later.

Why does Gmail ask for a phone number?

Google’s help center puts it simply: “To help protect you and stop spammers, before you create an account or sign in, sometimes phone verification is required.” A phone number is a quick way to show that a real person is behind a new account.

Note the word sometimes. Google doesn’t ask everyone, and it may ask again later, for example when you sign in from a new device or recover your account. That second point matters when you choose your number, as you’ll see below. (If Google doesn’t ask you, see how to create a Gmail account without a phone number.)

Why Google rejects some phone numbers

If a number doesn’t pass, Google shows one of two errors. Its help page explains both:

• “This phone number cannot be used for verification”: Google limits the number of accounts each phone number can create, to protect against abuse.
• “This phone number has been used too many times for verification”: Google also limits how many times a single number can be used for verification.

That is why numbers from free receive-SMS websites rarely work. They are public, shared by thousands of people, and usually used up long before you try them. Google’s own advice is to try a different number, such as one from a different carrier. For what each error means and what to try, in order, see This phone number cannot be used for verification.

Which numbers work for Gmail verification?

A non-VoIP number is a real mobile number from a carrier, so it looks like an ordinary phone to Google. If you’re 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 get a temporary number for Gmail verification

1. Create a free PVADeals account and add credits: crypto from $3, or a card through Stripe from $5.
2. Choose Google (Gmail) and the country you want: the United States or the United Kingdom.
3. Pick a rental length. A short-term number lasts 20 minutes; a long-term number lasts 3, 7, 14 or 30 days.
4. Enter the number on Google’s verification screen and choose to receive the code by text message. PVADeals numbers receive SMS only, so don’t pick the phone-call option.
5. Copy the code from your PVADeals dashboard, where it appears as soon as it arrives, and finish creating your account.

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

A short-term number (20 minutes) is enough to receive the sign-up code, and it costs the least. The catch is that Google may ask for the same number again later, and after 20 minutes it’s gone.

A long-term number (3 to 30 days, renewable for as long as you like) stays yours, so you can receive codes again if Google asks you to re-verify.

Whichever you choose, protect your account once it’s set up:

• Add a recovery email and, ideally, an authenticator app in your Google Account security settings.
• Don’t rely on a 20-minute number for two-step verification. If it expires, you could lose access.
• If you want to change or remove the number later, see how to change the verification number on Gmail.

US or UK number?

PVADeals offers both US and UK numbers for Google. US numbers are the most popular choice for Gmail and work from anywhere in the world: you don’t need a US SIM card, because the code appears on your dashboard. See our US phone numbers and UK phone numbers.

If Gmail still won’t accept the number

• Wait a minute and resend. Google itself suggests waiting a few minutes if a text doesn’t arrive.
• Make sure you chose a text message, not a call.
• Try a different number. 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

Verifying Gmail shouldn’t mean giving Google, and everyone else, your personal phone number. A temporary non-VoIP number from PVADeals keeps your own number out of it.

See the prices below, or read more about getting a temporary phone number for verification.