Cheapest option for receiving SMS verification codes?

BigBarbieBanger on 28/10/2020 - 18:15
Last edited 28/10/2020 - 18:17

I'm one of those rare beasts that hasn't owned a mobile phone before, so please forgive this most basic of questions.

I would like to join Facebook for a niche interest. It requires a mobile phone number to receive an SMS verification. Someone has given me a mobile phone without a SIM.

What are the cheapest options to receive an SMS code?

Things to consider:

  • I don't intend using the (otherwise obsolete) phone for anything else.

  • While there are websites offering mobile numbers to receive SMS messages, most of them seem heavily used so their numbers are blocked.

  • I have heard Facebook sometimes re-sends SMS verification codes if you access it in another country, area, or with a VPN. A short lived SIM may not be the ideal option but I may be able to work around this.

All Ozbargain advice is appreciated.

Mobile

Comments

  • Ryanek on 28/10/2020 - 18:23
    +3

    Can you use a friends phone? Or are you is this niche interest too embarrassing?

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 28/10/2020 - 18:28
    +1

    FYI Facebook doesn't do SMS verification if you are using a non-free email service or your own domain. If you sign up with Gmail, Outlook, Proton etc. then you'll cop an SMS verification.

    • BigBarbieBanger on 28/10/2020 - 18:42

      For whatever reason, they seem to be flagging me for SMS verification, even with an email address from my own domain (or ISP).

  • Gazpacho on 28/10/2020 - 18:28
    +1

    $10 SIM?

    • BigBarbieBanger on 28/10/2020 - 18:43

      In true Ozbargain spirit, I have to ask, would the $2 SIMs from Woolies work?

      • follow on 28/10/2020 - 20:44
        +1

        yes the telstra ones do.

      • USER DC on 08/04/2021 - 00:36

        Don't we need to pay extra for activation??

  • CC123 on 28/10/2020 - 18:35
    +6

    Just grab an Amaysim Sim $3 - just switch to PAYG after the first month.
    You get to keep the number for 12 months after your last recharge.
    Don't forget cashback!

    Edit: The $3 deal ends on the 31st.

    • BigBarbieBanger on 28/10/2020 - 18:45

      That sounds promising. Thanks for the head's up.

    • vikvance on 29/10/2020 - 11:01

      If someone doesn't even want to spend the $3, then they can grab a free sim from Optus, using the recent deal, and then activate it without entering a real card number using the process in this post:
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/571816#comment-9425255

      The number probably won't stay activated for more than a few weeks, but if it's only needed for a short-term thing, then that might not matter.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 28/10/2020 - 19:04
    +8

    Aldi sim, 365 days expiry

    SIM Starter Pack. Buy our SIM starter pack online and you’ll receive it in 10 days. Activate the SIM to unlock the $5 stored credit and you’re instantly mobile.

  • Gustavo Fring on 28/10/2020 - 19:09
    +2

    If you're only going to use it to only receive messages, I think you can get a free sim from somewhere like Lycamobile and just use it to receive at no extra cost

    • Travis J on 29/10/2020 - 00:33

      really? how? don't you need to activate it with a plan first?

      • Gustavo Fring on 29/10/2020 - 20:07

        If I'm not mistaken, I remember that there's no minimum recharge for a Pay As You Go Plan for Lycamobile.

  • AustriaBargain on 28/10/2020 - 19:49

    Can't you just use your same phone number? I'm sure I've used the same phone number for multiple accounts, maybe not Facebook, but I know Google lets you. But have you tried using the same number? Or just an email address?

    • bonezAU on 29/10/2020 - 00:39

      The same number as what?

      • AustriaBargain on 29/10/2020 - 01:01

        As your primary Facebook account.

  • battler on 28/10/2020 - 19:53
    +3

    Free, but public, but doesn't link back to origin of the SMS:
    https://sms24.me/countries/au
    May not satisfy point 2 of your post.

  • Marcsie on 28/10/2020 - 20:57

    lol

  • FSTB on 28/10/2020 - 21:11
    +2

    Have you ever considered purchasing a mobile phone? If not, why?

  • Amaris on 28/10/2020 - 23:49
    +1

    for a niche interest

    🤔

  • noodlefan on 02/02/2021 - 13:40
    Merged from The Cheapest Way to Keep an Nunber

    Just want to keep an number, don't need to make any calls or data, receiving msg sometimes
    Thanks in advance.

    • MSG on 02/02/2021 - 13:41
      +3

      Aldi Mobile PAYG, $5 first year and $15/year afterwards

      • noodlefan on 02/02/2021 - 14:09

        Sorted, thanks a lot

    • Magic Mirror on 02/02/2021 - 20:21

      There's a new cheapest option: just $2 a year with Optus Flex, explained here: https://whrl.pl/RgcRxP

      Basically $1 subscription for 1 day then cancel. Afterwards the number can still receive calls and texts for 6 months.

      • noodlefan on 02/02/2021 - 21:52

        Thanks, will try it next year:)

        • USER DC on 08/04/2021 - 00:42

          Will have to try this out

        • n1rwana on 25/04/2021 - 19:53

          next year may be the option doesn exist anymore

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