The short answer
You can rent a US virtual number online from almost anywhere, use it as caller ID and receive texts in an online inbox. Some services refuse internet numbers for verification codes, so check before relying on one.
Why people want a US number abroad
Expats, freelancers and small businesses often want a US number so American clients, family or customers can recognise the caller and reach them at domestic rates.
How an online US number works
A virtual US number is a real number with a US area code that runs over the internet instead of a SIM card. You rent it from an online service and manage it from your browser, wherever you are.
With HalaPhone you see the monthly price before you rent, pay from your prepaid balance and can use the number as caller ID straight away.
Learn about virtual phone numbersSteps to get one
The process takes a few minutes:
- Create a free account and add prepaid credit.
- Search available US numbers, optionally by area code.
- Check the monthly price and rent the number.
- Use it as caller ID and, if you want, turn on incoming SMS.
Receiving texts on a US number
HalaPhone can deliver incoming text messages for rented US and Canadian numbers to a private inbox in your account, at $0.01 per received message. Sending texts is not supported.
Some banks and apps do not send verification codes to internet based numbers. Confirm with the service before you depend on a virtual number for sign ins.
What it costs
Expect a monthly rental for the number plus usage for calls and received texts. Rentals renew from your balance; if there is not enough credit at renewal, the number can be released, so keep your balance topped up or enable automatic top ups.
