“This phone number cannot be used for verification”: why Google says it and what to do

What Google says the error means

Google's “Verify your account” help page covers this exact message. It says that if you get this error you should use a different number, because, to protect you from abuse, Google limits the number of accounts each phone number can create. It suggests using a number from a friend, family member or a different carrier.

The same page lists a sister error: “This phone number has been used too many times for verification.” The reason is similar — Google limits the number of times a phone number can be used for verification — and the advice is the same: use a different number.

In other words, the refusal is about the number's history with Google, not about you personally or about your password. That's why re-entering the same number usually produces the same result.

This phone number cannot be used for verification

The number reached Google's limit on accounts it can create

This phone number has been used too many times for verification

The number reached Google's limit on verifications

Text message not arriving

Google says to wait a few minutes or try the phone call option

Google's advice for both errors

Use a different number

Why your number might have hit the limit

Google doesn't publish its limits or explain individual decisions, so the causes below are the likely ones, not an official list.

The simplest: you, or someone in your household, have already used the number for several Google accounts. A recycled number is another common cause — mobile carriers reassign numbers, and a number's previous owner may have used it with Google many times before it reached you.

Numbers shared by many people are the worst case. Free public “receive SMS” websites publish the same few numbers to everyone, so they reach any per-number limit almost immediately. Some services also treat numbers from internet calling providers differently from carrier mobile numbers; Google's help page doesn't address number types, but a real mobile number avoids that question entirely.

Things that don't help

• Retyping the same number in a different format. If the format were wrong, you'd see a different message.
• Requesting codes again and again. The number is being refused before any code is sent, and repeated attempts can make other limits kick in.
• Clearing cookies or switching browsers. The limit is attached to the phone number, not your browser.
• Buying ready-made accounts or verification from resellers. Whoever set up the account may still control its recovery details — and can take it back.

Fix checklist, step by step

1. 01Read the message carefully. If it says the number “cannot be used” or “has been used too many times”, it's a per-number limit, not a typing mistake.
2. 02Check whether a phone number is actually required on this screen. On the computer sign-up flow, Google's help page lists adding and verifying a phone number as optional; look for a Skip option before entering one.
3. 03If you're signing in to an existing account, look for “Try another way”, which Google's recovery help says lets you skip a challenge and choose a different method.
4. 04If a phone number is required, enter a different number: one that hasn't been used for many Google accounts. Google suggests a friend's, a family member's or one from a different carrier.
5. 05Make sure the new number can receive texts. If the text is slow, Google says to wait a few minutes or choose the phone call option.
6. 06Once you're in, open your Google Account and set the phone number and recovery email you want to keep long-term.
7. 07If you need help beyond Google's help page, post the details in the Google Account help community.

Alternatives if you'd rather not use a phone number

Google's help page says phone verification is only required sometimes — to help stop spammers and confirm you're a real person. When it isn't required, the phone step is optional and you can skip it.

You also don't need a Gmail address to create a Google Account: Google's help page says you can sign up with an existing email address from another provider, verified with a code sent to that email.

If Google does insist on a phone and your only number is refused, trying again later is worth one attempt, since whether phone verification is required at all can vary. But don't count on it: Google's advice for this error is to use a different number, not to wait.

When to contact support

Google's help page for this error doesn't offer a contact form; it points you to the Google Account help community, where you can post a question and get answers from community members. Nobody there can lift a number's limit for you, so describe what you've tried and ask about alternatives for your specific screen.

If the account is a work or school account, Google's help pages say to ask your administrator for help.

If the number came from SMSCreation and Google accepted it but the code didn't appear in your inbox, open a support ticket from your dashboard with the time you requested it.

When a different real number is the fix

Borrowing a friend's number works for one sign-up, but it ties their number to your account — and they'll get your codes if you're ever locked out. A number that's yours avoids that.

An SMSCreation number is a real mobile number in the country's official format, private to you, with codes shown in your web dashboard. It's covered by our 7-day replacement guarantee: if the number doesn't work with Google, you get a free replacement number in the same country within 7 days of activation — or a 100% refund if you prefer.

What it isn't for: creating many Google accounts. Google limits accounts per number for a reason, and our acceptable use policy forbids bulk account creation. Use one number for your own account and keep it for recovery.

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

Price, keeping the number and the 7-day guarantee

A real mobile number for Google costs from $1.80 a month on the yearly plan ($21.60 billed yearly), with the same price in all 181 countries. It includes unlimited incoming SMS and calls, 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 outgoing minutes a month, and it stays yours as long as you keep renewing it — which matters for account recovery.

If it doesn't work with Google, you get a free replacement in the same country within 7 days of activation, or a full refund if you prefer. If you haven't used it for any call or SMS, you can get a no-questions-asked refund within 7 days.