Virtual Phone Numbers

Definiton: A Virtual Phone Number is a telephone number that is not tied to any physical location or device.

Problem: Many online accounts, including banks, require SMS/call verification and do not offer a superior method. Typically, the Carrier Phone Number that comes with a cellphone plan is used for this verification. This method, from these providers, is a major failure in our age of technology for 2 reasons:

  • It is incredibly insecure - SIM-swapping is not uncommon.

  • It is an incredibly fragile verification method. If a phone is lost/stolen/damaged beyond usage or if you happen to be using a different SIM card (Eg. traveling), you can be without access to your most critical online accounts.

Solution: Use a few Virtual Phone Number providers.

Warning

This approach is debated as a reliable method and may not be the intended use by the Virtual Phone Number providers. From experience, if one of the virtual numbers is accepted by the online account, it has NOT been rejected later. Further, it is defended here that using Virtual Phone Numbers is a much more robust and secure approach than relying on a Carrier Number, since Virtual Phone Number providers can be used on any new phone with any method of internet access (wifi or data from any SIM/cell provider).

Implementation: One will be configured now and others can be added later, when needed (often a total of 3 or 4 is sufficient).

Resulting workflow: Typical login steps

  • Enter an account password from the Password Manager Tutorial

  • Enter a 2FA code from the 2 Factor Authentication Tutorial

    • If this option is not availalable, an SMS will be recieved and used, from this Tutorial.

Note

Calls/messages to 911 (emergency) should use the local SIM, which is ideal.

These options were chosen for Security, Reliability and Availabilty.

Aquire an eSIM - if possible

There will be exceptions, where Virtual Phone Numbers will not be accepted. A minimal plan for SMS and calls should be chosen from an eSIM provider (smartphone and region must be compatible). A Web Search like eSIM MVNO your_region budget can help.

  • For account verification, use this as the very last resort. Wherever possible, use Virtual Phone Numbers.

  • If eSIM is not an option for you, know that any account associated with your physical SIM/phone provider is less secure and losing this phone/SIM card will potentially prevent your access to these associated accounts.

Note

Regardless of eSIM usage, continue below.

Choose a Virtual Phone Number Provider

Choose one of these providers for the Primary Virtual Phone Number

  • logo_googlevoice Google Voice

  • logo_textnow TextNow

    • $8 USD per month on Android and similar on iOS

    • Problematic sending pictures via Android

    • Not supported by WhatsApp

    • Does not support email-to-SMS

    • Advertisements

    • Get Started

logo_googlevoice_bg Google Voice

This service is used to send/receive messages and calls.

logo_googlevoice Install

Install on your smartphone.

Note

External link (choose Personal Use): https://voice.google.com/about

logo_googlevoice Account

Google Voice requires that the account be created from within the U.S.A.

Warning

If on a smartphone and outside of the U.S.A., setting up the Google Voice account over a VPN may fail and another, new Google Account may need to be used.

On a computer:

  • Within Bitwarden, create an account entry for the new Google Account.

    • Suggestion: the email address could be similar to your Core Email Account, by appending _gv, like this example_gv@gmail.com

    • Alternatively, the core email account could be used.

  • In the browser, create/log into the Google Voice account, with copy/paste from BitWarden.

    • On the Google Voice webpage, choose a new Google Voice phone number to use:

      • Suggestion: choose an area code and region where you have not lived (this helps to identify spam). This will be a temporary phone number. Follow the next steps.

    • From any U.S.A. phone provider, purchase the cheapest pre-paid cellphone plan for a month, then port the number to Google Voice for a 1-time fee of $20. This ensures that your phone number will not change in Google Voice. This is critial for SMS-based account verification.

Note

Port a phone number to Google Voice:

Warning

Do not rely upon the free number provided. Google will reuse the phone number for another account after a period of inactivity. A ported number will resolve this. It is a 1-time fee and will dedicate this number to this account.

In this BitWarden account entry’s Notes section, add a line saying something like: VN GoogleVoice your_number

logo_googlevoice Configure

On your smartphone, open the Google Voice app and sign in. Verify that the intended Google Account is selected and then configure settings:

  • Add a linked phone number:

    • This will be the eSIM backup number from the previous section.

  • Account > Devices and numbers > Set this device’s number: No number

  • Voicemail - create a Voicemail greeting

  • Security - enable Filter Spam

Google Voice requires that the account be created from within the U.S.A.

Note

The simplest usage is to DENY any prompts for it to:

  • Become the default SMS or Dialer

  • To Forward calls

logo_googlevoice Organize

Keep track of this new number:

  • In Google Contacts, iCloud, etc., a suggested naming convention is your_name Me VN GoogleVoice

logo_googlevoice Test

Call and send a test SMS to/from the new GoogleVoice number.

logo_textnow_bg TextNow

This service is used to send/receive messages and calls.

logo_textnow Install

Install on your smartphone.

If Android, decline the promt to Set TextNow as your default calling app

Note

External link: https://www.textnow.com/downloads/

logo_textnow Account

On the smartphone:

  • Choose Sign Up

  • Choose Sign Up with Email

  • Create an account entry, within Bitwarden, save the entry, and copy/paste these credentials into the TextNow app.

  • Choose a phone number to use

    • Suggestion: choose an area code and region where you have not lived (helps to identify spam).

  • Make an In-App Purchase to Lock in Number with an Annual Subscription ($5 USD).

  • In this BitWarden acount entry’s Notes section, add a line saying something like: VN TextNow your_number

logo_textnow Organize

Keep track of this new number:

  • In Google Contacts, iCloud, etc., a suggested naming convention is your_name Me VN TextNow

logo_textnow Test

Call and send a test SMS to/from the new TextNow number.

Essential Recovery

Steps for recovery, if/when any or all of your digital devices become inaccessible/lost/stolen or damaged beyond usage: