WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion active users. A key feature of WhatsApp is its end-to-end encryption, providing secure communications between users. However, to create a WhatsApp account and use the app, you need a phone number for verification purposes.
So what if you want to use WhatsApp but don’t have a phone number to verify with? Is it possible to get a WhatsApp verification code without a registered phone number? Here, we’ll explore some methods that may allow you to use WhatsApp without a phone number.
Using a Virtual Phone Number
One option is to use a virtual phone number service. These services provide you with a phone number that can receive SMS messages online. Popular options include:
- Google Voice – Free virtual numbers for use in the US and Canada
- TextNow – Offers free virtual numbers in the US and Canada
- Hushed – Paid service with numbers available globally
With these services, you can get a virtual number, use it to create your WhatsApp account, and then receive the SMS verification code online. This allows you to verify your account without a regular phone number.
Steps to use a virtual number for WhatsApp verification:
- Sign up for a virtual number service and get a number
- Install WhatsApp and enter the virtual number when prompted
- WhatsApp will send a 6-digit verification code to your virtual number
- Retrieve the code through your virtual number service’s online dashboard or app
- Enter the code in WhatsApp to verify your account
Once verified, you can use WhatsApp with your virtual number. A limitation is that you may not be able to receive SMS messages if your virtual number service doesn’t support it.
Using a VoIP Service
Another option is using a VoIP (Voice over IP) phone service to get a phone number and verification code. Services like Skype, Google Voice, and SIP accounts allow you to make VoIP calls and send/receive SMS messages over the internet.
You can sign up for a VoIP number, verify your WhatsApp account with the number, and then use WhatsApp. The benefit with VoIP numbers is you can place calls through the app itself in addition to using it for messaging.
Here are the steps to use a VoIP number:
- Get a VoIP number from Skype, Google Voice, etc.
- Install the VoIP app on your device and activate the number
- Enter the VoIP number when signing up for WhatsApp
- When the verification code is sent, you can view it in the VoIP app
- Input the code in WhatsApp to verify your account
The availability of VoIP numbers to use for WhatsApp verification varies across countries. But in many regions, this provides a straightforward option without needing a regular phone number.
Using a Friend or Family Member’s Number
If you know someone who is willing to lend you their phone number temporarily, you can use it to verify your WhatsApp account.
Have them install WhatsApp and enter their number. When the verification code is sent, they can provide it to you for input into your own version of the app. Once your account is verified, they can delete WhatsApp from their device.
While simple, this method relies on someone else giving you access to their personal phone number, even if just briefly. Not everyone may feel comfortable doing so.
Purchasing a Prepaid SIM Card
In some cases, it may be worth purchasing a prepaid SIM card simply to verify your WhatsApp account. These are available cheaply in many countries from mobile providers and convenience stores.
The steps would be:
- Purchase a prepaid SIM card with some credit
- Insert the SIM into a spare phone and activate it
- Install WhatsApp, enter the prepaid number, and wait for the verification code
- Enter the code and verify your WhatsApp account
- Once set up, you can remove the SIM and use WhatsApp on your main device
While requiring an upfront cost, this gives you a viable phone number to verify with that doesn’t rely on anyone else. Just purchase the cheapest prepaid SIM you can find to limit the expense.
Using WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp Web provides a way to use WhatsApp through your computer’s browser by linking to your mobile account. This still requires verifying your account on your phone first. However, there are some techniques that may allow using WhatsApp Web without a phone number.
Methods include:
- Linking an existing WhatsApp account verified with a phone number, then removing the linked number later. WhatsApp Web will continue to work, but you can’t re-verify on mobile.
- Creating a WhatsApp account on a desktop emulator using a virtual number, then linking WhatsApp Web to it.
- Using advanced technical workarounds and modified mobile apps to bypass verification. This breaks WhatsApp’s terms of service.
These aren’t official methods, may break over time, and restrict you to using WhatsApp Web exclusively on a PC browser. But they demonstrate there are certain gray areas and loopholes to potentially get around verification.
Getting Someone Else’s Verified WhatsApp Account
Some services claim to sell verified WhatsApp accounts – ones already registered and linked to a phone number. This breaches WhatsApp’s terms and conditions.
However, it’s possible to buy access to accounts obtained through illegal means. This is risky as the original account owner could reclaim the number at any time by registering it again, causing you to lose access.
For both legal and security reasons, it’s not advisable to obtain WhatsApp accounts in this manner. But it’s important to be aware these underground methods exist.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp aims to provide secure communications to its users, this relies on phone number verification. There are ways to circumvent this requirement using virtual numbers, VoIP services, borrowed numbers, or technical workarounds. However, these come with limitations.
Official channels require a registered phone number to use WhatsApp properly. But if you’re resourceful, there are gray area techniques to potentially get an account without a phone number of your own. Tread carefully though, as anything violating WhatsApp’s terms puts your account at risk.
At the end of the day, having your own phone number remains the proper and most reliable way to verify and use WhatsApp securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to use WhatsApp without a phone number?
No, it is not illegal to use WhatsApp without a phone number. However, it does violate WhatsApp’s terms of service to use the app without verifying with a phone number. While there are no laws preventing it, WhatsApp does have the right to ban accounts not using a registered number.
Can I verify WhatsApp with someone else’s number?
You can verify WhatsApp by borrowing someone else’s number temporarily. However, this requires them sharing their number with you, which many may not be comfortable with. It also violates WhatsApp’s terms, which only allow one account per number.
Is it safe to buy a verified WhatsApp account online?
No, it is generally not safe to buy verified WhatsApp accounts, as you have no way to tell how the account was obtained. The original owner could reclaim the number at any time, causing you to lose access. For security, it’s best to properly verify your own account with your own number.
Can I use a landline number for WhatsApp verification?
WhatsApp only allows verification with mobile numbers. While some landlines can receive SMS messages, most cannot. You must use a mobile phone number capable of receiving SMS to verify a WhatsApp account.
Is there a way to use WhatsApp Web without a phone number?
There are some technical workarounds that may allow using WhatsApp Web without a linked phone number. However, these often break, limit functionality, and violate WhatsApp’s terms. Officially, a mobile WhatsApp account verified with a number is required to use WhatsApp Web.
Can I use a VoIP number for WhatsApp verification?
In most cases yes, VoIP numbers provided by services like Skype or Google Voice can be used to verify a WhatsApp account. As long as the number provided can receive SMS messages, it can be used for verification, though functionality may be limited.
What happens if I get banned from WhatsApp for not using a phone number?
If WhatsApp detects you are using the app without verifying with a phone number, they may ban your account. This will block you from accessing WhatsApp on that device. However, you can simply reinstall WhatsApp and sign up with a valid number to use it again.
Is there any way to use WhatsApp without any phone number at all?
Unfortunately no, there is no official way to use WhatsApp without a phone number entirely. Their service is designed and optimized for use with a registered mobile number. While workarounds exist, a number is still required in some form to use WhatsApp.
Can I verify multiple WhatsApp accounts with the same number?
No, WhatsApp only allows one account per phone number. Verifying multiple accounts with the same number will get all accounts banned except for the one verified first. You need a unique phone number for each WhatsApp account.
Summary
WhatsApp makes verifying your account with a phone number mandatory for security reasons. While inconvenient if you don’t have a number, there are some creative ways to get a verification code without a registered mobile number of your own.
Using virtual numbers, VoIP services, borrowed numbers, and technical workarounds provide options to bypass normal verification. However, these have limitations and risks if violating WhatsApp’s terms of service.
Ideally, have your own mobile phone number to verify properly and securely. But if not, be aware there are alternative methods to get a WhatsApp account without a phone number through various gray area techniques.