# RelySMS > Virtual phone numbers for receiving SMS verification codes, one-off or rented, in 190+ countries. Pay from a balance; refunded automatically when no code arrives. The API is compatible with the SMS-Activate protocol: software built for SMS-Activate or its clones works by changing the server address to https://relysms.pro/stubs/handler_api.php and using a RelySMS key (issued in the account, Balance → API). Purchases through the API need $20 or more on the balance. New code can use the JSON REST API at https://relysms.pro/api/v1 instead (key in an Authorization: Bearer header, Idempotency-Key for safe retries, batch purchases); it is documented in the same files. ## How it works - One-off number: pick a service and a country, the number is yours for 20 minutes and the code shows on the order screen. - No code after 2 minutes: take another number for free, or cancel. - No code within 20 minutes: the money goes back to the balance automatically. Nothing is charged for a code that never came. - US number rental: one American VoIP number for 1 to 60 days, every inbound SMS kept in the account; it can be extended. - Payment: top up a balance (crypto and other methods), then spend it. Full rules: https://relysms.pro/refund ## API docs - [API documentation (English, Markdown)](https://relysms.pro/developers.md): every method, parameter, answer and error, with curl, Python and Node examples - [Русский](https://relysms.pro/ru/developers.md) - [Українська](https://relysms.pro/uk/developers.md) - [简体中文](https://relysms.pro/zh/developers.md) - [Español](https://relysms.pro/es/developers.md) - [Português](https://relysms.pro/pt/developers.md) - [Bahasa Indonesia](https://relysms.pro/id/developers.md) - [Tiếng Việt](https://relysms.pro/vi/developers.md) - [Türkçe](https://relysms.pro/tr/developers.md) - [العربية](https://relysms.pro/ar/developers.md) - [Français](https://relysms.pro/fr/developers.md) ## Site - [Home](https://relysms.pro/): one-off numbers for Telegram, WhatsApp, Google, ChatGPT and more - [US number rental](https://relysms.pro/us): US VoIP numbers rented for 1–60 days - [Terms of Service](https://relysms.pro/terms) · [Privacy Policy](https://relysms.pro/privacy) · [Refund Policy](https://relysms.pro/refund) - [Catalogue](https://relysms.pro/numbers): every service and country with live prices - Contact: support@relysms.pro (support), contact@relysms.pro (everything else) ## Numbers by service - [Telegram](https://relysms.pro/numbers/telegram) - [WhatsApp](https://relysms.pro/numbers/whatsapp) - [Google, Gmail, YouTube](https://relysms.pro/numbers/google) - [ChatGPT / OpenAI](https://relysms.pro/numbers/openai) - [Claude](https://relysms.pro/numbers/claude) - [TikTok](https://relysms.pro/numbers/tiktok) - [Instagram, Threads](https://relysms.pro/numbers/instagram) - [Facebook](https://relysms.pro/numbers/facebook) - [Microsoft, Outlook](https://relysms.pro/numbers/microsoft) - [X (Twitter)](https://relysms.pro/numbers/twitter) - [Discord](https://relysms.pro/numbers/discord) - [Apple](https://relysms.pro/numbers/apple) - [Amazon](https://relysms.pro/numbers/amazon) - [Viber](https://relysms.pro/numbers/viber) - [WeChat](https://relysms.pro/numbers/wechat) - [Snapchat](https://relysms.pro/numbers/snapchat) - [LinkedIn](https://relysms.pro/numbers/linkedin) - [Signal](https://relysms.pro/numbers/signal) - [LINE](https://relysms.pro/numbers/line) - [KakaoTalk](https://relysms.pro/numbers/kakaotalk) - [Tinder](https://relysms.pro/numbers/tinder) - [Bumble](https://relysms.pro/numbers/bumble) - [Uber](https://relysms.pro/numbers/uber) - [PayPal](https://relysms.pro/numbers/paypal) - [Coinbase](https://relysms.pro/numbers/coinbase) - [Binance](https://relysms.pro/numbers/binance) - [Steam](https://relysms.pro/numbers/steam) - [Netflix](https://relysms.pro/numbers/netflix) - [Yahoo](https://relysms.pro/numbers/yahoo) - [Shopee](https://relysms.pro/numbers/shopee) ## Guides - [Telegram on a virtual number: sign-up step by step](https://relysms.pro/blog/telegram-virtual-number): How to sign up for Telegram on a virtual number without a SIM card: what you need, how to get the code by SMS, and what to switch on right away so you don't lose the account. - [WhatsApp without a SIM card: sign up on a virtual number](https://relysms.pro/blog/whatsapp-without-sim): How to sign up for WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business on a virtual number without a SIM card: step by step, what to do about the timer, and how not to lose the account when you change phones. - [The code isn't arriving on a virtual number: 7 reasons and what to do](https://relysms.pro/blog/sms-code-not-received): Why an SMS code doesn't arrive on a virtual number and what to do: code in the app or by call, number rejected, limits, a second code. And when the money comes back. - [A number for ChatGPT and Claude: passing the phone check](https://relysms.pro/blog/chatgpt-claude-phone-number): How to confirm a phone at ChatGPT and Claude sign-up with a virtual number: why the country matters, step-by-step instructions, and what to do if the number is rejected. - [One-off activation or a rented number: which to choose](https://relysms.pro/blog/one-off-vs-rental): How a one-off activation differs from renting a number: how long the number is yours, refunds, which services and countries. And how to pick for your task. - [SMS-Activate alternative: where to move your software and numbers](https://relysms.pro/blog/sms-activate-alternative): SMS-Activate closed at the end of 2025. How to move registration software to RelySMS: the same protocol and codes, only the address and key change. - [DaisySMS alternative: US numbers for codes after the shutdown](https://relysms.pro/blog/daisysms-alternative): DaisySMS closed on 26 March 2026. Where to get US numbers for SMS codes now: one-off activations, VoIP and rentals, plus moving your software over the API.