Receive-smss.com offers free virtual numbers — but in 2026, they no longer work for most platforms. WhatsApp, Google, Telegram, and OpenAI have all blacklisted public shared numbers. This guide explains why free numbers fail and shows you how to get a working virtual number in under 5 minutes using CodesSender. Starting from $0.20. No VPN needed.

What Is Receive-smss?

Receive-smss.com is a free service that provides shared public phone numbers for receiving SMS online. Anyone on the internet can use these numbers simultaneously — which is exactly why they don't work. WhatsApp, Google, Telegram, and most other platforms have permanently blacklisted these numbers because they've been used millions of times for verification.

Why Free Numbers Like Receive-smss Don't Work in 2026

Blacklisted by every major platform — WhatsApp, Google, Telegram, OpenAI, and Discord all block shared public numbers
Anyone can read your SMS — these numbers are public, meaning your verification code is visible to everyone
Numbers are overloaded — hundreds of people use the same number simultaneously, codes get lost or delayed
No privacy — your account activity is exposed to anyone monitoring the public number

Receive-smss Alternatives Compared (2026)

Here's how the real alternatives compare:

Service	Starting Price	Private Number	Countries	Works in 2026
CodesSender ⭐	from $0.20	✅ Yes	50+	✅ Yes
Receive-smss	Free	❌ Public/shared	15+	❌ Blocked by most platforms
SMS-Activate	—	✅ Yes	—	❌ Shut down
5sim	from $0.15	✅ Yes	30+	⚠️ Inconsistent
SMSMan	from $0.11	✅ Yes	20+	⚠️ Inconsistent
TextVerified	from $1.99	✅ Yes	10+	✅ Yes

What Actually Works in 2026?

CodesSender is the most reliable receive-smss alternative in 2026. Unlike free shared numbers, CodesSender provides private real SIM-based numbers from Tier-1 mobile operators — numbers that are assigned exclusively to you and have never been used on that platform before.

Two options depending on your needs:

SMS Activation — private one-time number for a single verification. From $0.20. Your code is visible only to you.
Phone Rental (7–30 days) — a real number you keep long-term. Best for ongoing 2FA or account recovery.

Best Receive-smss Alternative by Service

For Telegram

Telegram permanently blocks all public shared numbers including receive-smss. Use private numbers from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, or United Kingdom. Full guide: How to get Telegram without phone number.

For WhatsApp

WhatsApp blocks all shared public numbers and VoIP lines. CodesSender's private SIM-based numbers from United Kingdom and United States pass verification consistently. Full guide: How to register WhatsApp without phone number.

For Google / Gmail

Google has blacklisted all receive-smss numbers. Use private numbers from United States, United Kingdom, or France. Full guide: Verify Google account without phone number.

For ChatGPT / OpenAI

OpenAI blocks all public shared numbers on day one. Use private numbers from United Kingdom or Germany. Full guide: Verify ChatGPT without phone number.

For Discord

Discord blocks shared numbers. Private numbers from United Kingdom, France, and Poland work reliably from $0.44. Full guide: Verify Discord without phone number.

For Instagram

Instagram blocks public numbers. Use private numbers from United Kingdom, France, and Germany from $0.52. Full guide: Verify Instagram without phone number.

What You Need Before Starting

A CodesSender account (free to create)
A small balance — verification starts from $0.20
The website or app ready for the phone verification step

How to Get a Private Virtual Number — Step by Step

Step 1 — Go to the phone verification screen

Open the platform you want to verify. When it asks for a phone number — stop. Do not enter your real number.

Step 2 — Open CodesSender in a new tab

Go to codessender.com/activation. Search for your service in the list.

Step 3 — Choose your country

Select a country from the recommended list above. If one doesn't work, release and try another — you won't be charged for failed attempts.

Step 4 — Purchase your private number

Click Activate. You get a real private phone number instantly — visible only to you. Copy it including the country code.

Step 5 — Enter the number into your platform

Paste your number with the correct country code and click Send Verification Code.

Step 6 — Get your SMS code

Switch back to CodesSender and click Get SMS. Your verification code appears within 10–30 seconds — private, visible only to you.

Step 7 — Enter the code

Paste the code into your platform and click Verify. Done.

SMS Activation vs Phone Rental — Which to Choose

SMS Activation ($0.20+) — private one-time number for a single verification. The step up from free shared numbers that actually works.

Phone Rental ($5–$15/week) — keeps a private number active long-term for account recovery, ongoing 2FA, or multiple verifications.

Common Issues and Fixes

"This phone number cannot be used for verification"

This error almost never appears with CodesSender's private numbers — it's the typical result of using shared public numbers like receive-smss. Click Release and try a different country if needed.

Code not arriving

Wait 60 seconds. If nothing arrives, release and get a new number. With private numbers, delivery is typically under 30 seconds.

Platform blocking the number

Choose a number from the United States or United Kingdom — these bypass most geographic restrictions. Private SIM-based numbers are accepted where shared public numbers are not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't receive-smss work anymore?

Platforms like WhatsApp, Google, Telegram, and OpenAI have permanently blacklisted all public shared numbers because they've been used millions of times. Private numbers from CodesSender are fresh and platform-exclusive.

Is a paid virtual number worth it over free?

Yes — free shared numbers like receive-smss are blocked by every major platform. A private number from $0.20 is the minimum cost to actually complete verification in 2026.

Is my verification code private with CodesSender?

Yes. Unlike receive-smss where anyone can read your code, CodesSender numbers are assigned exclusively to you. Only you can see the incoming SMS.

How much does it cost?

Verification starts from $0.20 for a one-time private SMS activation. Phone Rental starts from a few dollars per week depending on the country.

Do I need a VPN?

No. A private virtual number works without a VPN regardless of your location.

Can I verify multiple accounts?

Yes — each account needs a different private number. Purchase separate numbers on CodesSender as needed.

Conclusion

Free shared numbers like receive-smss are blocked by every major platform in 2026. A private virtual number from CodesSender costs as little as $0.20 — that's the difference between verification failing and succeeding in under 30 seconds.

Get your private virtual number now →