By Jay Stone

If you’re looking for a way to avoid sharing your real number when creating accounts online or you’re a business planning to test SMS verification processes, you might have come across sites selling non-VoIP temporary numbers. 

These numbers are tied to a real SIM, like your own phone number, but they’re not linked to your identity, so they help you keep your personal data private when you don’t want (or need) to share it.  

If you don’t know much about non-VoIP temporary numbers and want to learn more before you commit, here’s everything you should know in advance. 

1. They’re More Trusted Than VoIP Numbers

VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, numbers are usually rejected by websites during signups because they’re internet-based, so more likely to be associated with spam accounts. Comparably, using a non-VoIP number that’s linked to a real SIM should help you pass SMS verifications with no issues.  

2. They’re Ideal For Single-Use Signups

The best time to use a non-VoIP number is when you’re creating an account to take advantage of a free trial or use an app for a short period, or any other situation that only requires you to provide a number once. You shouldn’t use them for sites that require the same number every time you log in, such as for two-factor authentication. 

3. They’re Usually Valid For Minutes, Not Days

It’s best to buy a temporary non-VoIP number exactly when you plan to use it, as it’ll only be available to you for a few minutes to a few hours. For instance, the temporary numbers provided by https://www.smspool.net/ are available for 1-2 hours, so you’ll want to buy the number and use it for a signup pretty quickly. 

4. You’ll Pay A Small Fee to Use Them

If you want a reliable number that you can use with no issues, you’ll need to be prepared to pay for it. Most sites sell temporary numbers for just a few dollars, so you’re not having to make a big financial commitment. 

5. You Can Access Their Data Online

Let’s say you use a temporary number to receive an SMS verification code when you’re creating an account. This code will be sent to the number, and you’ll be able to view it online via the platform you bought it from. You’re not expected to have physical access to the SIM tied to the number. 

6. Not All Countries Are Available

If you’re looking for a non-VoIP number in a specific country, most sites will give you lots of options. But that doesn’t mean all countries are available, so you might need to check several providers to find what you need. 

7. Some Handle SMS Only, Some Also Handle Calls

And finally, you’ll need to make sure your temporary number provider offers numbers that solve your specific problem. You can use all numbers for SMS purposes, but only some of them will handle calls, so check before you spend your money. [NG-FA]