I got caught up in the virtual number issue again recently, and only then did I understand why so many people use SMS receiving (verification) number platforms. Registering an overseas account, testing interfaces, and running account verification tests all require a temporary phone number. Buying a new SIM card just isn’t worth it—at that point, an SMS receiving platform becomes a lifesaver.

I’ve also stepped into plenty of pitfalls before. Some platforms simply can’t receive texts, while others deliver them with a delay of half a day. Later, I found a few more reliable SMS receiving platforms, and my experience has been pretty good. SMS-Activate and 5SIM perform the best overall: verification codes usually arrive in about 10 seconds, and they cover many countries. Super Cloud SMS and XiaoNiao Verification are friendly for applications in mainland China—US and China number ranges both have good speeds, and you can generally receive codes within 5–30 seconds. Getsmscode is cheap and suitable for light users.

The biggest advantage of using an SMS receiving platform is that it protects privacy while also making testing convenient. Numbers are charged per use, and some platforms even support monthly packages or long-term rentals. But keep in mind that some numbers are shared, which makes them easier to flag by risk control and may cause verification codes to be delayed—especially for applications targeting less common countries. Based on my experience, I top up multiple numbers; if one becomes invalid, I switch immediately. Some platforms support “one-click number switching,” which is especially useful. If you’re only testing interfaces, you can just pick any platform that supports API access, but for stable registration on overseas websites, it’s better to have several backup options. In short, using an SMS receiving platform the right way can save a lot of trouble, while using the wrong one can easily trigger risk control. Choosing a platform with good reputation and high activity is the way to go.