TikTok is one of the biggest social networks in the world, and one of the most effective for consumer-facing startups. If you’re traveling or working abroad and trying to activate a TikTok account that requires a US number, you might not know what your options are.
Let’s say using your own number is out—maybe you don’t want to pay to get a verification code sent to a US number while you’re abroad, or you don’t currently have a US number. What if you still specifically need to activate a TikTok account with a US number?
The good news is that it is possible to do this even if you don’t have access to your own US phone number. We’re walking you through how to do it in this guide.
Why Might You Need a US Number?
Before we get into your options, why might you need a US number for activating TikTok?
The main reason is that when you’re signing up for TikTok (and sometimes when you’re logging in from an unknown device), the app sometimes requires you to provide your phone number to verify your identity as part of its account safety efforts.
If you’re outside the US but need a US number for whatever reason, here’s what you should know about your options.
Option 1: Use a Virtual Phone Number Service
The quickest and easiest option to access a US number is to use an online service that provides virtual numbers that can receive text messages.
Services like https://www.smspool.net/ offer free or low-cost numbers intended for a single use. Keep that in mind—you’ll be able to use this number once, but you can’t keep it to use every time you log in.
Once you’ve got your number, you can enter it into TikTok and receive the verification code you need to complete the registration.
Option 2: Get a Prepaid US SIM Card
If you want a long-term solution, your best option is to buy a prepaid US SIM card. A lot of online retailers sell SIM cards that work internationally, but you might need a US-based payment method to activate, so check the requirements before you spend your money.
Once your SIM card is active, you’ll be able to receive verification texts just like you would with a regular US number.
Option 3: Use a Friend’s or Family Member’s Number
If you have someone in the US who can help, it might just be easier (not to mention free) to just sign up with their phone number—with their permission of course!
With this method, you can ask them to receive the verification code for you, and you’ll be able to use their phone number whenever you need to verify your account. That shouldn’t get too annoying for your contact, as verification is usually only required if you reset your password or change your login details.
Takeaway
So, those are the three most common ways to get a US number to activate TikTok from pretty much anywhere in the world.
One final thing to note is that TikTok may have different verification rules depending on your location, so if one method doesn’t work, you’ll need to try another.