Virtual phone numbers · free
Free virtual phone number — what it actually is
A free virtual phone number is almost always a public SMS inbox: a website shows a number and every text sent to it, to anyone who visits. That can do for a throwaway sign-up, but anyone can read your code, and WhatsApp and most apps block these numbers. callmins doesn't offer free numbers; it rents private UK, US and Canadian numbers from $2.00/month with no setup fee, which only you can read.
Your number's country
Example number
+44 7700 90****
You pick your own from the available numbers.
$2.50 / month
Billed $30.00 a year. No setup fee.
Active within minutes
- Shows as your caller ID
- WhatsApp & app codes
- No SIM card needed
- No ID check
Who it's for
- People who tried a free number website and had the code refused by WhatsApp or another app.
- Anyone who doesn't want strangers reading the codes sent to their number.
- Privacy-conscious users who don't want to give their real number to a marketplace or social app.
- Budget-conscious users who want a cheap private number, from $2.00/month with no setup fee, instead of a shared one.
What it costs
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
 UK virtual number (+44) Private, calls + SMS, receives WhatsApp codes | $3.00/mo |
 US virtual number (+1) Private, calls + SMS, not for WhatsApp or Telegram codes | $2.00/mo |
 Canadian virtual number (+1) Private, calls + SMS, app codes not confirmed yet | $2.00/mo |
callmins doesn't offer free numbers. Signing up is free; numbers start at $2.00/month with no setup fee, and the exact price is shown before you buy.
How it works
- 1
Decide which kind you need
If you only need a code for a throwaway sign-up and don't mind strangers seeing it, a public SMS-inbox website may do. If you'll use the number again, or it's for an account you care about, use a private number.
- 2
Create a free callmins account
Sign up with email or Google. The account is free; you only pay for what you buy.
- 3
Top up and pick a number
Top up your wallet by $5 or more, open Numbers → Buy and choose the UK, the US or Canada. Prices start from $2.00/month with no setup fee. US and Canadian numbers work straight away; UK numbers are activated by our carrier, usually within minutes. None needs an ID check.
- 4
Use it like any phone number
Texts and calls arrive in your browser or the callmins app for iPhone, Android and Mac. Use a UK number for WhatsApp sign-ups; a US number is for calls and texts with US people and businesses.
FAQ
- Is there really a free virtual phone number?
- Yes, but only in a limited sense. Free virtual numbers are public SMS inboxes run by websites: a number that anyone on the internet can read messages to. They are fine for testing a sign-up flow you don't care about. Anyone who knows the number can also see any code that lands on it, so they are not safe for accounts that matter.
- What's the catch with free virtual numbers?
- Three catches. The number is shared, so anyone can see texts sent to it. Most services, including WhatsApp, Telegram and banking apps, recognise well-known public numbers and refuse them. And the sites rotate their numbers often, so you can't keep the same one or receive a code on it again later, for example to recover an account.
- Does callmins have a free virtual number?
- No. callmins doesn't offer free or shared numbers. Every callmins number is private to your account and rented from $2.00/month with no setup fee. Signing up is free, and you only pay when you buy a number, make a call or send a text.
- Can I use a free virtual phone number for WhatsApp?
- Usually not. WhatsApp blocks well-known public SMS-inbox numbers, and so do Telegram, Signal, Google and most banking apps. If you want a number for WhatsApp, rent a private UK virtual number ($3.00/month, no setup fee); callmins UK numbers receive WhatsApp codes.
- How is a paid callmins virtual number different?
- A callmins number is private: only you can read texts sent to it, and it stays yours as long as you keep the rent paid. It also receives calls, which ring in your browser. UK numbers receive WhatsApp codes. US numbers are for calls and texts with US people and businesses and don't receive WhatsApp or Telegram codes. App codes on Canadian numbers aren't confirmed yet.
- Can I receive calls on a free virtual number?
- Generally not. Public SMS-inbox sites only show text messages; they don't ring a phone or take voicemail. A callmins number receives both calls and texts.
Related
Get a private number — from $2.00/month
No credit card to start. Top up only when you're ready to call.
Get a private number — from $2.00/month