Question 1

What is a virtual number?

Accepted Answer

This is a temporary phone number that can be used without a SIM card and is not bound to any physical device. These numbers are generally used to receive text messages for online verification.

Question 2

What can I do with a virtual number?

Accepted Answer

Using a virtual number for receiving SMS online is commonly used to register with social networks (Facebook, Instagram, POF), chat apps (Telegram, WhatsApp, WeChat), email services (Yandex, Gmail, Yahoo), and other websites (e.g. Steam, Uber, Tinder, Twitter, Microsoft). Virtual numbers let you keep receiving SMS online without exposing your real number, no need to purchase a SIM card for one-time use, and help protect your privacy.

Question 3

What is a short-term number?

Accepted Answer

BEE-SMS provides temporary numbers that are valid for 5 minutes and can only receive SMS from a single service.
This is the most cost-effective option when you need to register for an account once or in bulk. To receive an SMS online, you don't need to rent it for a day or longer, 5 minutes is enough. If no SMS is received within this period, the money will be automatically returned to your wallet.

Question 4

Will I receive a SIM card with a virtual number?

Accepted Answer

With our service, you can get a virtual number for receiving SMS online without having to buy a SIM card. It will be displayed on the personal account page, which also shows the SMS with the confirmation code sent to this number.

Question 5

What should I do if I don't receive an SMS?

Accepted Answer

There are many possible reasons why you may not receive the SMS if you purchase a temporary number, such as delayed delivery, a failed number, or the device being registered too many times. Here are some solutions:

1. Resend the verification code and wait at least 10 seconds.
2. If you are using a proxy, try switching to a new one
3. Cancel the number and purchase a new one (after cancellation, the funds will be refunded to your personal account balance)

Question 6

When will new numbers be added

Accepted Answer

Usually, we add new numbers every day. If the numbers run out, they will be replenished earlier.

Question 7

Will someone access my number after I register for the service?

Accepted Answer

The numbers purchased through our service are disposable, and you can reuse them for the same service (if possible) after received SMS.

A number will only be issued to one person for one service. However, the telecommunications operator can reissue the SIM card (the same thing happens with the Citizen Number) and make it available to a new customer two to three months after the number has been inactive. We do not recommend linking important personal information to these temporary numbers.

Question 8

Why do accounts get banned so easily? My account was suspended right after I registered.

Accepted Answer

Account bans are triggered by the target platform's fraud detection system — not by the virtual number itself. The most common causes include:

• IP address mismatch: If the IP you're using doesn't match the country of the virtual number, or is flagged as a VPN, data center, or proxy exit node, the platform will raise a risk alert. Always use a clean residential or mobile IP that matches the number's country.
• Abnormal account behavior: Sending bulk messages, adding contacts in rapid succession, or performing automated actions immediately after registration will trigger bot detection. Maintain a natural usage pace after signing up.
• Number history: In rare cases, a recycled number may carry a poor reputation from a previous owner, which can affect the new account at registration.
• Platform policy updates: Services like WhatsApp and Instagram regularly tighten their anti-abuse systems, which can affect batch registrations even with legitimate numbers.

Our recommendation: Log in using a genuine personal IP after registration and avoid bulk operations.

Question 9

The number shows "already been used" — what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

If the target platform shows an error indicating the number is already registered or in use, there are two likely causes:

• Number previously registered by another user: All phone numbers are managed and periodically recycled by telecom carriers. In rare cases, a recycled number may still be linked to an old account on the target platform. This is a known industry-wide limitation — no provider can pre-screen numbers for this before purchase, as it's technically not detectable until the SMS is sent.
• Platform cooldown period: Some services enforce a waiting period (e.g. 24 hours or longer) before a number can be reused, even after the old account is deleted.

What to do if this happens:
1. Cancel the current order before any SMS is received to qualify for a refund.
2. Try a different number or a different country.
3. Contact our live support with a screenshot — refunds are available if reported within 20 minutes of purchase.

Question 10

Are your numbers virtual numbers or real SIM card numbers? What's the difference?

Accepted Answer

BEE-SMS provides both virtual phone numbers and physical numbers. Virtual numbers are real phone numbers that exist within carrier networks. They have legitimate country codes and number formats (e.g. +1, +44, +91) and can receive SMS verification codes just like any regular mobile number. No physical device or SIM card is required — everything works online through your browser or API.

Virtual numbers offer instant online setup, no device needed, low pay-per-use cost, high anonymity with no ID required, and are best for one-time or bulk SMS verification. Physical SIM cards require purchase or shipping, need a device, have higher monthly plan costs, often require ID verification, and are best for long-term personal use.

For one-time or recurring SMS verification needs without exposing your personal number, virtual numbers are the most efficient and cost-effective solution.

Question 11

My account requires phone verification to log back in — can I reuse the same number?

Accepted Answer

Most numbers on BEE-SMS support reuse. If you need a guaranteed reusable number, simply check the Reusable option on the page before purchasing. Note: reuse is supported multiple times within 20 minutes of the initial number acquisition. Since numbers may go offline and be recycled at any time after the order is completed, if your account now requires phone verification and was registered with a one-time number, we recommend:
• Recovering the account via your linked email address
• Using backup codes if the platform supports them
• Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on the platform to avoid relying solely on SMS in the future
• If the account cannot be recovered, registering a new account with a fresh number

Tip: For important accounts (e.g. WhatsApp, Google), always bind an email address and enable 2FA immediately after registration to reduce dependency on the original phone number.

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