Why Bolt Requires Phone Verification

Bolt requires phone number verification for every new account — whether you're signing up as a passenger, driver, or using Bolt Food. The OTP code sent to your number is Bolt's primary method of confirming you're a real person and preventing duplicate or fraudulent accounts on the platform.

For users who don't want to hand over a personal SIM to a ride-hailing app, people managing separate accounts, or anyone in a region where Bolt's SMS delivery is unreliable — a virtual temp number is the cleanest solution. It's a real, working number that receives your OTP code and completes Bolt's verification without exposing your personal contact details.

What Is a Virtual Temp Number for Bolt?

A virtual temp number is a real phone number hosted online that receives SMS OTP codes exactly like a standard mobile SIM. Bolt cannot distinguish between a virtual number and a regular one. Two options are available on CodesSender:

SMS Activation — a one-time temp number for a single OTP verification. Best for creating a new Bolt passenger account quickly and privately.
Phone Rental (7–30 days) — a real number that stays active long-term. Recommended for Bolt driver accounts or if Bolt sends additional SMS codes during account review.

What You Need Before Starting

A CodesSender account (free to register)
A small balance to purchase a virtual temp number
The Bolt app installed or bolt.eu open in your browser

The whole process takes under 5 minutes.

Step-by-Step: How to Verify Bolt Without Your Personal Number

Step 1 — Open Bolt and start sign-up

Open the Bolt app or go to bolt.eu. Tap Create Account. Fill in your details — when Bolt asks for a phone number to send an OTP verification code, stop here and don't enter your personal number.

Step 2 — Open CodesSender Activation page

In a new tab, open codessender.com/activation.

Step 3 — Select Bolt as the service

Search for "Bolt" in the service list or go directly to the Bolt activation page. For Bolt, numbers from the United Kingdom and Poland have the highest OTP delivery rates — Bolt is particularly strong in European markets.

Step 4 — Purchase your temp number

Select your preferred country, activate the number, and copy your virtual temp number. The price is shown upfront with no hidden fees.

Step 5 — Enter the number into Bolt

Paste the virtual temp number into Bolt's phone verification field with the correct country code. Tap Send Code to trigger the OTP SMS.

Step 6 — Receive your OTP and complete verification

Switch back to CodesSender and click "Get SMS". Your OTP code appears within seconds. Enter it into Bolt to complete phone verification and activate your account.

Best Countries for Bolt Phone Verification

United Kingdom — top choice, Bolt is widely used across UK cities
Poland — excellent delivery rate, Bolt is dominant in Polish market
Estonia — Bolt's home country, strong compatibility

Not sure which country to choose? Our complete guide to best countries for virtual phone numbers breaks down success rates and pricing across 30+ countries.

SMS Activation vs Phone Rental for Bolt

For a standard Bolt passenger account, SMS Activation is all you need — one OTP code, one verification, done. If you're registering as a Bolt driver or Bolt Food courier, Phone Rental gives you a real number that stays active for any follow-up SMS codes Bolt may send during document verification or account review. Read our full SMS Activation vs Phone Rental comparison to decide which fits your use case.

Bolt vs Uber — Which Needs a Virtual Number More?

Both Bolt and Uber require phone verification at signup, and both work with virtual temp numbers from CodesSender. The difference is geography — Bolt dominates in Europe and Africa, while Uber is stronger in North America. If you need accounts on both platforms, check out our guide on how to verify Uber without phone number — the process is identical, just pick your country accordingly.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

OTP code not arriving

Wait up to 60 seconds after tapping "Send Code". If the OTP SMS doesn't arrive, request a new code within the activation window. If it still fails, get a fresh virtual temp number from a different country — CodesSender refunds activations where no code arrives.

"This number is already in use"

The virtual temp number was previously registered on Bolt. Release it on CodesSender and request a new one. Switching from UK to Poland (or vice versa) usually resolves this immediately.

Bolt asking for additional verification

For driver or courier accounts, Bolt may request document verification after phone verification. This is a separate process — your virtual number handles the SMS OTP step only. Use Phone Rental if you need the number to remain active for follow-up SMS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bolt accept virtual temp numbers?

Yes. Virtual temp numbers from CodesSender are real, functional phone numbers. Bolt's OTP verification system treats them identically to standard mobile numbers.

Can I use a virtual number for Bolt driver registration?

Yes for the phone OTP step. For driver accounts we recommend Phone Rental so the number stays active during Bolt's extended document review process.

Can I create multiple Bolt accounts with virtual numbers?

Each Bolt account requires a unique phone number. Purchase a separate virtual temp number for each account — different countries help keep accounts distinct in Bolt's system.

Do I need a VPN to use a virtual number for Bolt?

No VPN is required for the phone OTP verification step. Note that Bolt's service availability depends on your geographic location — the virtual number only handles SMS verification, not location access.

Conclusion

Verifying Bolt without your personal phone number is straightforward with a virtual temp number from CodesSender. Get your OTP code in seconds, complete SMS verification privately, and start using Bolt immediately.

Get your Bolt virtual number now and complete OTP verification in under 5 minutes.