Virtual Phone with SMS capabilities ?

host32

Regular Member

Dec 9, 2008

327

127

• Jun 19, 2017

• #1

Hey guys!

What is the best service to get a US phone number that is able to send and receive SMS ? Skype numbers aren't able to do that and most companies I found online look very dodgy. any recommendations ?


Thanks

 

Sephrata

Elite Member

Mar 25, 2017

2,729

4,110

• Jun 19, 2017

• #2

Do you need it for verification of some service?

 

host32

Regular Member

Dec 9, 2008

327

127

• Jun 19, 2017

• #3

Initially yes, but I'd like to keep the number long term in case I need it in the future

 

Sephrata

Elite Member

Mar 25, 2017

2,729

4,110

• Jun 19, 2017

• #4

You really need to buy a sim card.

A lot of verifications no longer work on virtual numbers (Google, Facebook, Instagram for example). Even people who have moved their physical phone numbers over to virtual are having problems.

 

host32

Regular Member

Dec 9, 2008

327

127

• Jun 19, 2017

• #5

what if I'm not based in the US and the service requires a US number ?

 

Sephrata

Elite Member

Mar 25, 2017

2,729

4,110

• Jun 19, 2017

• #6

You can still buy and activate a US prepaid sim overseas. Sellers on ebay sell US prepaid sims.

The problem with online services is 1) they often reuse the same number too many times (=banned account) and 2) you end up in a problem come reverification time.