How to receive SMS online with a shared number

Receiving an SMS online takes a few steps. Read the safety notes before you start: every inbox on this site is shared.

1. Choose a country and number

Open Phone numbers and pick a country. Each country page lists the numbers currently available. Some services reject numbers that have been used many times, so trying another number is normal.

2. Enter the number on the service

Copy the number in full international format, including the country code, and paste it into the service that will send the SMS.

3. Open the number's inbox

Open the number's page on this site. New messages appear at the top of the inbox. Use the refresh option on the page to load messages that arrived after you opened it.

4. If nothing arrives

• Wait a minute and refresh; delivery can be delayed by the sender or carrier.
• Check that you entered the correct country code.
• The sender may block shared or virtual numbers. Try a different number or country.
• A number's status can change; offline or retired numbers stop receiving messages.

Public vs Member Only inboxes

Public inboxes are visible to everyone. Member Only inboxes need a signed-in account, but all members can see them, so treat them as shared too.

Safety

Never use a shared number for banking, payments, password resets, account recovery or anything tied to your identity. Anyone viewing the inbox can read the code and could use it. See Acceptable use and safety.