A real phone number
for Proton Mail.

How Proton Mail verification works

When you create a Proton Account, Proton may ask for a CAPTCHA or for SMS or email verification; with SMS, it texts a code to your number. Later you can add a phone number as an SMS password-reset method.

Because SMSCreation numbers are real mobile numbers, Proton Mail treats them like any other phone: the code is delivered to your number and shows up in your dashboard inbox straight away.

Why it works with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram & Google

Apps check more than the digits: they look up the line type, the country format and whether the number can actually receive their code. Every SMSCreation number is a real mobile number in its country's official format — not a VoIP line — so it passes those checks the same way a SIM in your pocket does.

And we stand behind it with a 7-day replacement guarantee: if your number doesn't work with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Google or any app you need, we replace it free with a new number in the same country — or refund 100% if you prefer.

• Non-VoIP, real mobile line type — line-type checks see an ordinary SIM number, not a VoIP line
• Official country format with the right country code, prefix and digit count
• Unlimited incoming SMS and calls — codes arrive by text or through the “call me” option
• Private to you — never listed on public SMS sites, so it isn't flagged or rate-limited
• Yours for as long as you want — re-verification and account recovery keep working

Proton Mail phone verification details

Proton doesn't always ask for a phone number. When you create a Proton Account, you might be asked to complete a CAPTCHA or to verify a phone number or email address. Proton says this keeps bots and spammers off Proton Mail, which protects its sending reputation. For SMS verification, Proton sends a code to your number. It says it doesn't store the number, only a cryptographic hash, which lets it detect a number being reused repeatedly. You're more likely to see only email or SMS options if you try to create multiple accounts or use the Tor browser.

After sign-up, a phone number becomes an optional recovery method. In Settings → Recovery → Password reset options → SMS verification, you add the number, confirm with your password, click Verify by SMS and enter the texted code. If you're ever locked out, a code sent to that number lets you reset your password. Proton warns that SMS recovery doesn't restore your data. Your emails, contacts, files and calendars stay encrypted unless you also have a data recovery method, ideally your recovery phrase.

Code

Sent by SMS, during human verification or password recovery

When it's asked

Sometimes at sign-up, alongside CAPTCHA or email verification

What Proton keeps

A cryptographic hash of the number, not the number itself

Where to change the number

Settings → Recovery → Password reset options → SMS verification

Security setting to turn on

Two-factor authentication with an authenticator app, plus your recovery phrase

Common Proton verification problems and fixes

• You're only offered email or SMS verification, not CAPTCHA → Proton says this is more likely if you're creating multiple accounts or using the Tor browser.
• You can't get past verification → try the other method (email or SMS). If that fails, or no options appear, Proton asks you to contact its support team.
• The recovery number doesn't work → Proton says you can't use SMS recovery until the number is verified. Go back to SMS verification and click Verify by SMS.
• You reset your password by SMS and your mail is locked → SMS recovery resets the password only. Use your recovery phrase, recovery file or device data backup to unlock the old data.
• No SMS arrives → check the country code and number and request a new code. Our guide "Verification code not received" has more checks.

What a phone number does, and doesn't do, on a Proton account

Proton's human verification step is about blocking bots, not tying an identity to the account. When SMS is the option shown, Proton texts a code. Proton says it keeps only a cryptographic hash of the number, which lets it notice the same number being reused many times. People who try to create several accounts, or who sign up through Tor, are more likely to see only the email or SMS options instead of a CAPTCHA.

After sign-up the number can come back as a password-reset method under Settings → Recovery → Password reset options → SMS verification. A reset by SMS gets you into the account, but Proton warns it doesn't decrypt old mail, contacts, files or calendars. For that you need a data recovery method, ideally your recovery phrase, so set both.

Verify Proton Mail with your number in 4 steps

1. 01Choose a country and pick a mobile number.
2. 02Pay in crypto or from your wallet — from $1.80 a month on the yearly plan.
3. 03Enter the number in Proton Mail with its country code and request the code.
4. 04Open your SMSCreation inbox, copy the code and you're verified.

Tips for Proton Mail

• Expect SMS or email verification rather than a CAPTCHA if you create several accounts or use Tor.
• Add the number under Settings → Recovery → SMS verification and verify it, or it can't be used.
• Keep your recovery phrase too: an SMS reset gets you back in but doesn't decrypt your old data.

Included with every number

• Unlimited incoming SMS — every verification code and message, no cap
• 500 outgoing SMS every month
• 1,000 outgoing call minutes every month
• Unlimited incoming calls
• Keep the number for as long as you want — auto-renew keeps it yours
• Works with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Google & Instagram — guaranteed: free replacement or 100% refund within 7 days
• 7-day replacement guarantee — if the number doesn't work with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram or Google, we replace it free or refund 100%; plus a no-questions-asked refund if you haven't used it for any call or SMS

Private by design — keep Proton Mail separate from your identity

A SMSCreation number keeps your personal SIM, name and bank card out of your Proton Mail account. No KYC, no ID, no card — crypto only.

• No KYC — no ID, passport, selfie or proof of address, ever
• No real name required — sign up with an email and a password
• No card, no bank account — crypto only, so no payment details are linked to you
• No phone number needed to sign up

Popular countries for Proton Mail numbers

USUnited States+1CACanada+1BRBrazil+55GBUnited Kingdom+44DEGermany+49FRFrance+33NLNetherlands+31ESSpain+34AEUnited Arab Emirates+971INIndia+91SGSingapore+65AUAustralia+61

Keep it as long as you want

Proton Mail may ask for your number again — on a new phone, after a reinstall or for account recovery. Keep your number renewed and it stays yours, so you can always receive the code.

Not what you needed? Our 7-day replacement guarantee — if the number doesn't work with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram or Google, we replace it free or refund 100%; plus a no-questions-asked refund if you haven't used it for any call or SMS.