Question 1

What is a temporary phone number?

Accepted Answer

A temporary phone number is a real, publicly shared phone number you can use to receive SMS online without giving out your personal number. On SMSS.net you pick a country, open a number's inbox, and read incoming verification codes right in your browser.

Question 2

Is SMSS.net free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All public inboxes on SMSS.net are completely free. You don't need to register or install anything — the service is supported by advertising, not user fees.

Question 3

Are these inboxes private?

Accepted Answer

No. The numbers are public and shared, which means anyone who opens the same number can see the same messages. Use them for low-stakes sign-ups and testing only — never for banking, email recovery, or sensitive accounts.

Question 4

Can I receive verification codes for WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Many apps send a standard SMS verification code that will appear in the public inbox. Because numbers are shared and reused, some services may reject a number that was already registered — if one number fails, try another.

Question 5

Do you support receiving calls or sending SMS?

Accepted Answer

SMSS.net is receive-only for SMS. You cannot send messages or receive voice calls. The service is designed for reading one-time verification codes (OTPs).

Question 6

Why is a message missing or delayed?

Accepted Answer

Delivery depends on the sender and the mobile network. Some messages arrive within seconds, others take a few minutes, and a few never arrive if the sender blocks shared numbers. Refresh the inbox or pick another number if a code doesn't show up.

Question 7

How long do numbers stay available?

Accepted Answer

Numbers rotate over time. A number that works today may be retired later and replaced with a new one. Always start from the country page to see which numbers are currently online.

Question 8

Can I reuse the same number for the same website twice?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. Most websites only allow one account per phone number, and because these numbers are shared, someone else may have already used it for that service. For repeat sign-ups, a paid private number is a better fit.

Question 9

Is using a temporary number legal?

Accepted Answer

Using a disposable number to protect your privacy during a sign-up is legal in most places. What matters is what you do with it — using one to commit fraud, evade bans, or break a platform's terms can be against the rules or the law. See our blog for a detailed breakdown.

Question 10

Do you store the messages I read?

Accepted Answer

Messages appear in a public inbox and are removed as the number cycles. Do not treat anything received on a public number as confidential. Read our Privacy Policy for details.

Frequently asked questions