Free phone numbers to receive SMS online: try the demo inbox

A shared inbox lets anyone read the messages sent to a number, with no sign-up. That is handy for seeing how verification texts look, and a poor idea for anything private. The inbox below is a demo: pick a country, open a number and read the example messages.

Demo only. The numbers and messages on this page are examples. None of them are live, and you cannot use them to receive a real code. For a number that is yours, see the services page.

Example numbers

Inbox for

+1 202 555 0143

Demo

Google Example 2 min ago

G-482913 is your Google verification code.

Telegram Example 9 min ago

Telegram code: 57104. Do not give this code to anyone, even if they say they are from Telegram.

Discord Example 31 min ago

Your Discord security code is 620418. It expires in 10 minutes.

Ages are examples too. Nothing refreshes on this page because there is no live inbox behind it.

How a shared inbox works

The idea is simple. A number is published on a web page, a text is sent to it, and the message appears for every visitor. Nobody owns the inbox, so nobody can promise who else has looked at it. If a code for your account lands there, treat it as seen by strangers.

Shared numbers are also used by many people at once. An app that has already seen the same number sign up a dozen times may refuse it, and a code can arrive that was meant for someone else. A flag or a country code tells you where the number is registered. It does not tell you who is reading the messages.

What to keep out of a public inbox

Bank, card and payment approvals.
Recovery codes for your main email, cloud storage or password manager.
Anything that mentions your name, address or health.
Codes for an account you plan to keep for years. A number you do not control today may belong to someone else next month.

Reading a verification message

A one-time code usually comes with the name of the service and a short warning. Match the service to the thing you just did. If you asked for a login code, a password reset code with a different service name is a reason to stop, not to type it in.

When two codes arrive close together, use the newer one. Most services cancel the older code when a new one is sent. Never read a code out to someone who contacts you and says they need it.

If a code does not arrive

Check the number and country code first. Then look at whether the app sent the code somewhere else, such as an email or an already signed-in device. Wait for the retry timer before asking again. Requesting a code over and over can trigger limits and makes it harder to tell which message belongs to which request.

Need a number that only you can see?

A private number is ordered for your account, and its messages appear in your account only. Check the service and country you need, and read the live prices before you order.

Browse services and prices Read the FAQ

Free SMS number questions

Are these real phone numbers?

No. The numbers on this page are examples. They use ranges that regulators keep aside for films and documentation, so they should not ring a real phone, and the messages are written by hand to show what an inbox looks like. Nothing here is received live.

Can I use a free shared number to verify an account?

Not from this page. The inbox here is a demo, so there is nothing to receive. In general, a public number is visible to everyone who opens it, and many apps refuse shared numbers anyway. Keep accounts that matter on a phone number you control.

Why is a shared inbox a bad place for important codes?

Anyone who can see the number can read the same messages. A code sent there can be used by someone else before you type it, and a number that other people can reach should never be a recovery method for your main email or bank.

What is the difference between a shared number and a private number?

A shared number is open to many people at once. A private number is assigned to one account for a limited period, and its messages show up only in that account. SMS OTPS sells the second kind. You can see the current options on the services page.

Why does a verification code sometimes not arrive?

The app may not accept that type of number, it may send the code by another route, or it may limit repeated requests. Check the country code first, wait for the retry timer the app shows, and avoid pressing resend several times in a row.