Most people assume that to use Google Voice, you need a phone. As in: a real, buzzing, physical device with a SIM card tucked inside. But here’s a small rebellion for your day – you can get a Google Voice number without a phone. Not metaphorically. Literally.
Why bother? Perhaps you’re guarding your privacy like a dragon guards treasure. Maybe you just dislike linking your personal mobile number to every new account. Or maybe your phone is currently somewhere at the bottom of a lake (true story from a friend). Either way, it’s entirely possible to use Google Voice without phone number verification in the way Google expects.
How It Works: Turning “You Cannot Proceed” Into “You’re In”
When you try signing up for Google Voice the traditional way, it hits you with the Enter your mobile number wall. The system simply cannot continue without it. But the internet is full of detours, and one of the smoothest is the virtual number route.
Think of a virtual number as your decoy identity for the digital world. It’s a fully functional US number, just without the burden of a physical SIM card. This tiny hack lets you sign up for Google Voice without a phone number in the real-world sense.
And yes, there’s a tool for that: Grizzly SMS. This service hands out temporary or long-term numbers for Google Voice and the others platforms. You rent one, use it, and never worry about tying it to your actual device.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Google Voice Without Phone Number
1. Make Yourself at Home in Grizzly SMS
Go to Grizzly SMS and create your account. The registration is quick – no epic quests or riddles.
2. Pick Your Virtual Partner in Crime
From the list of services, choose “Google Voice” and filter for a US mobile number. This is your key to unlocking the gate. The price? Pocket change compared to a physical SIM.
3. Start the Google Voice Ritual
Visit Google Voice. Click through until it asks for verification. This is where your freshly rented number steps in.
4. Receive the Magic Digits
Grizzly SMS will capture the SMS code Google sends. You’ll see it appear right in your dashboard – no actual phone buzzing in your pocket.
5. Seal the Deal
Enter the code into Google Voice, and congratulations – you’ve just created a Google Voice number without a phone. From here, you can handle calls, send texts, and set up voicemail without touching a SIM card.
Why This Trick Feels So Liberating
- Your mobile stays yours. No awkward mixing of work and personal calls.
- Free US calling inside the Google Voice app – a little digital perk.
- Privacy on autopilot. No strangers lurking around your real number.
- Flexibility for travelers. Keep your US identity while sipping coffee in Lisbon or hiking in Nepal.
Situations Where This Shines
- Setting up accounts that demand a US number (without actually living there)
- Managing online sales or rentals without giving out personal contacts
- Testing services that require one-time number verification
