Frequently Asked Questions

Select an available phone number from our list and claim it. Once claimed, copy the number and use it for verification on any service. Incoming SMS messages will appear on your screen. Each number is reserved exclusively for you for 5 minutes.

Our numbers are shared among all visitors. Each claimed number is reserved for 5 minutes and becomes briefly unavailable between sessions. Popular numbers (US, UK) tend to have higher demand. Use the Queue button to automatically claim a number when it becomes available instead of refreshing manually.

Wait times show the remaining time until the current claim expires. However, users can extend their session up to two times, adding 2 minutes each. This means the actual wait may be up to 4 minutes longer than displayed. There is also a short transition period between sessions.

Click the Queue button next to any busy number to join the waiting list. When the number becomes available, it will be automatically claimed for the first person in queue — no need to race for it. Your queue position is held as long as you stay on the page. If you close the tab or navigate away, you lose your spot. You can leave the queue manually at any time.

US and UK numbers are in the highest demand as they are accepted by the most services. These numbers often have multiple people waiting in queue. Less popular country numbers (India, Russia, Poland) are usually available immediately or with shorter waits.

All numbers have a 5 minute claim duration. A countdown timer is shown on the messages page. If you need more time, you can extend your claim up to two times (2 minutes each) when 60 seconds or less remain. After expiry the number is released automatically.

Messages start arriving after you copy the number, since that is when you would typically use it for verification. The first messages usually appear within 30–60 seconds after copying. If you don't copy the number, no messages will be received.

Our numbers work with most online services that send SMS verification codes, including social media platforms, email providers, messaging apps, and online marketplaces. Some services may block known virtual numbers.

Messages received during your claim window are visible only to you. However, since these are shared numbers, if a service or person sends a message to the number outside your claim window, the next user who claims that number may see it. Messages from previous sessions are not stored or visible.

Because our numbers are shared and publicly listed, they receive a lot of unsolicited messages — spam, scam attempts, and texts meant for previous users. This is normal for shared phone numbers. Look for the verification code you are expecting among the other messages.

Yes, but you will need to wait for the number to become available and claim it again. There is no guarantee of getting the same number twice, as other users may claim it first.

Yes. Anon-SMS is completely free to use. The service is supported by advertising.