Short answer: A virtual phone number for SMS verification is a real mobile number that lives in an online account instead of on a SIM card, so the codes that banks, apps and websites send arrive on a screen you can open from any phone or computer. With eSIM Signal you can get a UK (+44), Australian (+61) or Brazilian (+55) mobile number in a few minutes, receive SMS free and without limit, and cancel whenever you like. It is SMS only: the numbers do not make or receive calls.
What is a virtual phone number?
A normal mobile number is tied to a SIM card or an eSIM profile inside one phone. A virtual number is still a genuine number from a national numbering plan, but the messages sent to it are delivered to an account on the internet rather than to a handset.
That one difference solves a surprisingly common problem: you need a number in a particular country, but you do not live there, do not want a second phone, or do not want to hand out your personal number.
With an eSIM Signal number you get:
- A real mobile number with the country code of the UK, Australia or Brazil
- Free, unlimited incoming SMS, shown in your eSIM Signal account within seconds
- Outgoing SMS from the same account, charged per message
- No SIM card, no new phone and no contract: renewal can be switched off at any time
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How SMS verification with a virtual number works
Verification by SMS (often called OTP, one-time passcode or 2FA) is simple: a service sends a short code to a number and asks you to type it back. It only cares that the code reaches you. Here is the flow with a virtual number:
- Create a free eSIM Signal account and top up your credits by card.
- Pick a country and a plan, then take any available number or choose a specific one.
- Enter the number in the app or website that asks for it, including the country code (for example +44 for the UK).
- Open your account and read the code a few seconds later. Incoming messages cost nothing.
- Keep the number for as long as you need it. It renews for the same plan length until you switch renewal off.
Tip: save the number in the account you verify with and note its renewal date. A number you let lapse may later go to someone else, and with it any codes sent to it.
What people use a virtual number for
The most common reasons we see are practical, everyday ones:
- Living abroad but still needing a UK, Australian or Brazilian number for local apps, deliveries or sign-ups
- Travelling and wanting codes to arrive somewhere other than a home SIM that is switched off to avoid roaming
- Keeping your personal number private on marketplaces, dating apps, newsletters and loyalty schemes
- A second number for a side project without carrying two phones
- Testing an app or website that sends SMS in another country
If travel is your reason, it pairs well with a dual SIM setup that keeps your home number while you use eSIM data: the virtual number catches the codes for the country you need, and your home line stays as it is.
Where virtual numbers fall short
Being honest about the limits saves you a wasted afternoon:
- Some services refuse virtual numbers. A few banks, payment apps and messaging services check the type of number and will not send codes to anything that is not tied to a physical SIM. There is no way to guarantee every service will accept a number, so try the one that matters most to you first.
- No calls. Our numbers are SMS only. If a service insists on a voice call to read out a code, it will not work.
- It is a new number. A virtual number cannot replace the number you have had for years; you would need to update your accounts to use it.
- It needs a working account. If your credits do not cover a renewal and no card is saved, the number pauses until you pay the renewal (within 7 days), so do not rely on it during that time.
Tip: if a service refuses the number, look for an "authenticator app" or "email code" option in its security settings. Many apps offer them, and they also work offline abroad.
Virtual number vs a second SIM vs free SMS websites
There are three common ways to get an extra number for codes:
- A second physical SIM or eSIM line from a local carrier usually needs an address or ID in that country and a phone that can hold it.
- Free "receive SMS online" websites publish their numbers for anyone to read, so every code sent to them is public. They are fine for a throwaway test and risky for anything you care about, because whoever reads the code can take over the account.
- A private virtual number is yours alone for as long as you pay for it, with messages only you can read.
A virtual number is not the same thing as mobile data. It gives you a number for SMS; an eSIM data plan gives your phone internet in another country. Many travellers use both: a travel eSIM instead of roaming for maps and messaging, and a virtual number for the codes.
Which country should you choose?
Pick the country the service expects, not the one you happen to be in:
- United Kingdom (+44): the widest choice of plan lengths (1, 3 or 12 months). Popular with British expats, students, and anyone dealing with UK shops, delivery firms and apps.
Get a UK mobile number for SMSGet a number
- Australia (+61): currently sold on 3-month plans. Useful for working holiday visas, Australian apps and deliveries, and staying reachable after you leave.
Get an Australian mobile number for SMSGet a number
- Brazil (+55): currently sold on 3-month plans. Useful for Brazilian apps, marketplaces and services that only accept a +55 number.
Get a Brazilian mobile number for SMSGet a number
Five habits that keep your codes safe
- Never share a code you did not ask for, even with someone claiming to be your bank.
- Use a strong password on your eSIM Signal account, because that account now receives your codes.
- Leave renewal on for any number linked to an important account.
- Add a backup method (authenticator app or email) on services that allow it.
- Keep a note of which accounts use which number, so moving away from a number later is painless.
Frequently asked questions
Can a virtual number receive verification codes?
Yes. Codes sent by SMS to an eSIM Signal number arrive in your account within seconds, and incoming SMS are free. A few services refuse virtual numbers, so test the one you need first.
Do I need a SIM card or a second phone?
No. The number lives in your eSIM Signal account, and you read and send SMS there from any phone, tablet or computer.
Can I make calls with a virtual number?
Not with ours. eSIM Signal numbers are SMS only: you receive SMS for free and send SMS from your account, but they do not make or receive calls.
Which countries can I get a number in?
The United Kingdom, Australia and Brazil. All three are mobile numbers with the country's normal code: +44, +61 and +55.
Can I cancel a virtual number?
Yes. Switch renewal off on the number's page and it simply ends on its paid-until date. There is no contract and no cancellation fee.