Do you know that you can use WhatsApp without a phone number? In this tutorial, we’ll show you some of the best methods to do so with a landline and using a virtual number.
WhatsApp is currently one of the most popular messaging applications worldwide. Its straightforward interface makes it easy to make calls, send messages, and share information for free with just an internet connection.
To start using WhatsApp, you usually need a phone number. However, did you know that you can use WhatsApp without a real phone number? Let’s have a closer look at how you can do that.
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Can You Use WhatsApp without a Phone Number?
Yes, you can use WhatsApp without a real phone number. It is an obvious answer because we wouldn’t have created this guide if it weren’t possible in the first place. However, the advantages of using WhatsApp without a phone number aren’t that obvious.
If you use WhatsApp without a phone number, you can easily access it on multiple devices. This can be very useful if you use multiple operating systems, such as Android, iOS, or Windows, across different devices.
WhatsApp is available on all these operating systems, and you can use it on all of them with the same phone number.
Typically, you need a SIM card to start using WhatsApp, which makes it challenging to use the same number on multiple devices. However, in the next section, we’ll show you methods to use WhatsApp without an active SIM card.
This can be super helpful for businesses and organizations as well, since multiple users can use the same WhatsApp number without a phone number. Then, this same number can be used by staff or employees across different locations worldwide to boost your organization or business internationally.
Now that we better understand its advantages, let’s see how to use WhatsApp without a phone number.
How to Use WhatsApp without a Phone Number
There are two ways to use WhatsApp without a real phone number easily:
- With a landline
- Using a Virtual Number
Before you start, make sure you have installed WhatsApp Messenger on your Android/IOS/, or Windows device. You also need to ensure that there is an active internet connection on this device. If you are already using WhatsApp, you need to delete it and reinstall it.
Now, let’s start with the process of using WhatsApp without a phone number.
1) Use WhatsApp with a Landline
This method is relatively straightforward. To use WhatsApp with a landline, ensure your landline number is working. This landline number must be connected through a physical cable to a telephone.
After installing WhatsApp on your device and completing the initial setup, enter your landline number in the step to verify your phone number. You also need to add the country and country code here. Then, click Next.
You will have to enter the verification code in the next step. Since you entered a landline number, SMS verification won’t be processed. Please select the Call me option. After a few seconds, you will receive a call with the verification code to your landline.
After that, enter the WhatsApp code on your device and provide the required details in the following steps. Once you finish the process, you will be able to use WhatsApp without any issues.
As you can see, this method is straightforward and requires only a landline number. Another option to use WhatsApp without a phone number is to use a virtual number. Let’s have a look at how to do that.
2) Use WhatsApp with a Virtual Number
Use of landline phones for personal calls has declined recently due to the rise of mobile devices. If you or your organization doesn’t have a landline number, you can use WhatsApp with a virtual phone number.
Various services offer a virtual WhatsApp number. We’ve covered the best ones in this guide, but for this tutorial, we will use MessageBird. This service lets you easily buy a virtual number and instantly associate it with WhatsApp.
It also lets you create a flow for your virtual number using its builder. This can help test whether your virtual number is working correctly.
MessageBird offers a free service, but we recommend subscribing to one of its premium plans to get the most out of it. Let’s go through the steps to get a virtual number and set it up to use WhatsApp.
1. Buy a Virtual Number
After you have subscribed to one of the premium plans, you will be redirected to your MessageBird dashboard. Open the Numbers tab and click Buy a number.
Then enter your Country and press Search to find a virtual number.
We have selected the United States as the country, but you can add your own country here. After that, click Search, and it will display several virtual numbers you can purchase. Each number costs USD 1, so select the virtual number you want and click Buy.
You will then need to complete the order process and confirm your purchase.
2. Test Virtual Number with the Flow Builder
To ensure your virtual number is working, you can test it in the flow builder. All you need to do is click on the Flow Builder tab in your MessageBird dashboard. Then, press Create new Flow and select Create Custom Flow.
You will need to select a trigger. For this demo, we will choose the Phone Call option, then click Next to continue.
The flow builder will be loaded on your screen. Now press the Phone Call trigger, select the virtual number that you have just purchased, and save it.
After that, you will have to add the Forward Call trigger and link it with the destination number by clicking the ‘+’ icon. Finally, complete the flow by adding the End of Flow option, then press Simulate to test it. You will see a successful status if your flow looks like the screenshot below.
If you have any issues following this process, you can refer to our detailed guide to get a WhatsApp virtual number.
3. Verify your Virtual Number in WhatsApp
You are now ready to use the virtual number for WhatsApp. Install WhatsApp on your device and enter the number.
You will receive a verification code, which you can view in the MessageBird dashboard > SMS > SMS Overview. Then, enter the code and complete the setup. You can now use WhatsApp with a virtual number, without a physical phone number.
Using virtual numbers with WhatsApp Business is a great option to grow your business. For more information, see our detailed guide on how to get a WhatsApp virtual number.
Change WhatsApp Number with the Virtual Number
By now, you should know how to use WhatsApp without a phone number and instead use a virtual number. But what if you already use a personal phone number on WhatsApp and want to switch to your new virtual number? The good news is that you can.
This can be a good option for businesses that want to use the virtual number across multiple devices and in different locations without requiring a physical SIM card.
To change your current personal WhatsApp number to a virtual number, you must first obtain a virtual number. To do so, follow the steps above to get a WhatsApp virtual number.
Then open WhatsApp on your device and sign in with your phone number. Click the menu option, then navigate to Settings > Account.
Then, select Change Number.
Now you need to add your old and new phone numbers, so enter your current phone number in the “old phone number” box, the new virtual number in the “new phone number” box, and click Next.
You will receive a verification code through SMS, as we saw in an earlier step. You can access this from your MessageBird dashboard by going to SMS > SMS Overview. Then enter the verification code and provide the required information to complete the installation.
That’s it! You will now be able to use WhatsApp with a virtual number.
Tips and Best Practices You Should Follow
- Use a reliable virtual number service: Choose providers with a reasonable delivery rate for SMS or voice calls to avoid verification failures
- Avoid temporary or disposable numbers: Short-lived numbers can cause permanent account loss if WhatsApp asks for re-verification later
- Enable two-step verification immediately: This adds an extra layer of security and reduces the risk of account hijacking
- Keep a backup access method: Save verification emails, app credentials, or service logins linked to the virtual number
- Do not switch devices frequently: Rapid device changes can trigger security checks and temporary bans
- Respect WhatsApp usage policies: Excessive automation, bulk messaging, or suspicious behavior can lead to account restrictions
- Test account recovery early: Confirm you can receive messages or calls on the number before relying on the account long term
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using free or public virtual numbers that are already registered or blocked by WhatsApp
- Ignoring account recovery risks when the number expires or becomes inaccessible
- Skipping two-step verification after account setup
- Attempting multiple verifications in a short time can trigger temporary bans
- Relying on unofficial or modified WhatsApp apps to bypass number requirements
- Using the account for bulk messaging or automation immediately after creation
- Not reviewing WhatsApp’s terms of service before using alternative number methods
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, let’s review some frequently asked questions and answers about this topic.
Yes, you can use WhatsApp without sharing your personal mobile number by registering the account with an alternative number, such as a virtual phone number, landline, or secondary SIM. This allows you to access WhatsApp features while keeping your primary number private.
Using a virtual phone number is generally safe if the provider is reputable and offers stable SMS or call verification. However, free or temporary numbers may stop working later, which can cause verification or account recovery issues.
WhatsApp does not require an active SIM card after verification. Once the account is verified with a valid number, you can continue using WhatsApp over WiFi on the same device or link it to other devices.
WhatsApp does not ban accounts solely for using virtual or secondary numbers. Issues usually arise when numbers are reused, flagged as spam, or used in ways that violate WhatsApp’s usage policies, such as through excessive messaging or automation.
Yes, WhatsApp allows verification via voice call if SMS delivery fails. This is especially useful when registering with landline numbers or virtual numbers that support incoming calls.
A single WhatsApp account can be linked to various devices using the multi-device feature, but the initial registration still requires one valid phone number for verification.
If you lose access to the registered number, account recovery becomes difficult. You may permanently lose access if you cannot receive verification codes, so using a reliable, long-term number is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
Overall, using WhatsApp without a real phone number is a good option if you want to use the same WhatsApp number on multiple devices. The good news is that you can do that quite easily.
There are two ways to use WhatsApp without a phone number:
- With a landline
- With a virtual number
Which one should you use? The landline option is helpful for those who already have a physical landline. The process takes only a few minutes and is straightforward. However, if you don’t have a landline, you can use a virtual number to access WhatsApp without a physical SIM.
To do this, you will need to use a dedicated service. There are several options out there, but we recommend MessageBird. Get a virtual number and complete the verification process to start using WhatsApp in no time.
Finally, we have also seen how to change your phone number and use WhatsApp with a virtual number. This is an excellent choice to use WhatsApp on different devices and expand your business.
To get the most out of WhatsApp, you can also add WhatsApp chat to your WordPress website with our WhatsApp Chat plugin, share WordPress posts to WhatsApp, or even move WhatsApp chats to Telegram if needed.
We hope you can now use WhatsApp with landlines and virtual numbers without any issues. If this guide has helped you in any way, these articles might interest you too:
- Cresta WhatsApp Chat (Cresta Help Chat): Full Review
- Best WhatsApp Chat Plugins for WordPress
- Why WhatsApp Blocked my Number? (How to Fix it?)
Are you going to start using WhatsApp without a phone number? Which method did you use? Let us know in the comments section below!
1 comment
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Using a landline no longer works as of August 2021. Or if it does, it’s not clear how one gets past the screen that says “This is not a valid cell phone number in the U.S.”.