How to Create a Gmail Account Without a Phone Number

Gmail constantly changes its registration rules: sometimes the service requires linking a phone number, and sometimes it does not. In some countries, such as the United States, Russia, China, and South Korea, linking contact details is mandatory. In most countries, it is not currently required, but Google strongly recommends using a phone number. This makes it easier to recover your account if you lose your password, receive notifications from Google, and enhance security by enabling two-factor authentication.

In addition to a personal account, you can create a Google account business profile. This allows you to use your own domain name, enable advanced security settings, enhance collaboration features, and gain more cloud storage capacity. Of course, to maintain confidentiality, it's better to additionally protect your professional email by linking a phone number.

But what if you don't want to link a personal number? Even if you have one, a single phone number can only be linked to a limited number of Google account. There are solutions to this, which we will discuss in the article.

Why Create a Gmail Account Without a Phone Number

Email is a primary tool for business communication. Many services also require an email for account registration. Gmail is an international service, one of the most convenient for collaboration, professional communication, and maintaining brand identity.

Despite such functionality, many people do not want to add a phone number for increased security. There are at least three reasons for this:

1. Data breaches often occur, and fraudsters may gain access to your profile, which is a security threat and reduces the level of confidentiality.
2. Due to contact data breaches, you might receive spam calls, threats, or blackmail.
3. If you plan to create multiple accounts, you should consider that a single phone number can only be linked to a limited number of profiles.
4. Managing a Google account linked to one mobile number becomes complicated if you have both personal and professional accounts, making it difficult to separate communications.

Does Gmail Require a Phone Number?

Google does not always require linking a phone number to a new gmail account: it depends on the country of registration and the company's policy at the moment. Here are some cases where the company requires a phone number:

• When you create multiple profiles on Google account from one device or IP. The service requests a number to ensure that you are not a bot or a fraudster.
• In some countries, such as China or Russia, legislation requires users to provide a number during registration.
• If you log into a profile from another device, Google may also request a number.
• A phone number is needed if you forget your password and try to recover it. The phone helps verify your identity.

But these are all optional requirements. The service may not request a number — it is impossible to predict in advance whether it will be needed. However, in any case, both we and Google recommend linking contact details. This offers several advantages:

• Security. You can set up two-factor authentication to enhance account security. If you link a number, you will need to enter a password and a code sent to your mobile phone upon login. The service will also send you messages if suspicious activity is detected.
• Account recovery. If you forget your password, having a linked phone will make it easier to recover access to your profile.

Here is a summary table of the pros and cons of using a phone number linked to a Gmail account.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Account security is improved	There may be a data leak and the personal number and profile data will become available to fraudsters
It is easier to restore access to your account	You may receive spam messages
You can receive notifications about suspicious activity and protect your profile

Should you use a phone number during registration? It depends on your goals and interests. Below, we will discuss several methods to create Gmail account without phone number.

Methods for Creating a Gmail Account Without a Phone Number

Now you know why it's better to link contact details when creating a Gmail account. But if you don't have them or simply don't want to use them, you can create a Google account without a phone number. We'll explore all the legal methods further in the article.

Sign Up for Gmail Without Phone Number on Android and iOS

On Android:

1. Go to the phone's settings and scroll down until you find “Google.” Tap on it.
2. Select “Create account.”
3. Fill in all the information step by step: first name, last name, date of birth, and gender. Choose a username and enter a password. You may not be asked to enter a phone number during registration. Simply press “Next” and agree to the terms.
4. Select “Create account.”

On iOS:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and find the “Mail” section.
3. Select “Accounts,” tap “Add Account,” and choose Google.
4. Tap “Create Account.”
5. Fill in the required fields: first name, last name, and date of birth. Create a Google account username and a password.
6. When prompted to enter a phone number, tap “Skip.” Confirm your agreement with the terms.

Create Gmail Without Phone Number on Desktop

If you prefer using a desktop computer for email, follow these steps to create a Google account without a phone number:

1. Enter “gmail.com” in the search bar and go to the service’s website. If you already have an email account, it’s better to register in incognito mode for convenience.
2. Click “Create account” in the top right or bottom left corner.
3. Fill in the fields: first name, last name (optional), date of birth, and choose or create your own email address and password.
4. When asked to enter a phone number, do not enter anything and simply click “Skip.”
5. On the next page, agree to the privacy policy. Done!

You can add a phone number at any time through the email settings. During registration, you may also be offered to add a recovery email — you can use it instead of a phone number.

Alternative Ways to Create Gmail account Without Phone Number

In some countries, it is mandatory to provide a phone number, so you won’t be able to just click “Skip” phone number and ignore the request for contact details. In such cases, you must add contact details and receive a phone verification codes. However, there are alternative ways to bypass phone number requirements: temporary numbers, VPNs, and IP masking. Let’s discuss each method in detail.

Using SMS Activation Services for phone Verification

There are services that provide temporary phone numbers. They work like this: special companies buy SIM cards and provide access to them for a short period for a small fee to all users. It’s much easier than buying a SIM card: you don’t need to go anywhere, provide documents, or pay a subscription fee. You simply register on a website that sells numbers for SMS activation, top up your balance, and buy a number to register on the desired service.

Let’s take the SMS-Activate service as an example. Register on the website using your email. Top up your balance — you can use a bank card, account, e-wallets, or cryptocurrency. Once you have money in your account, choose the required service. In this case, it's Gmail account. You can choose the desired country if necessary. The cost of the service is much lower than buying a SIM card — usually less than a dollar, depending on the service and the number of available numbers.

When you buy the service, a phone number will appear in your personal account. Copy it and paste it during new Gmail address registration. Request a phone verification code. You will receive SMS — it displayed in the online account. Once you use it, the phone will become unavailable, i.e., it’s a one-time use number. If you need it again, request reactivation.

If you plan to use the number multiple times, rent it for a period from four hours to four weeks. This is more reliable — if you log out of your account, you can log back in by receiving an SMS.

There are also free SMS services: you can use a publicly available number for registration. That means the SMS received on it will be visible to all site users. This option is better for testing how free temporary numbers work. But do not use it on a permanent basis as fraudsters can also gain access to your new gmail account.

It’s better to spend a little money on paid SMS services and be calm about your confidentiality and security. One such service is SMS-Activate. Here’s why you’ll like it:

• Reliable: has been working for over ten years.
• Secure: you don’t need to provide personal documents, and all information is stored securely.
• Convenient: there are many ways to top up the balance. You can withdraw money from the account if you wish.
• 24/7 support.
• Reactivation available after the validity period ends.

Using VPN to Bypass Phone Number Requirements

If it’s impossible to register an email without a phone number in your country, try bypassing the restriction using a VPN — it will make the impression that you are in another country.

When choosing a VPN, pay attention to:

• Security: the VPN should have strong encryption, secure protocols, and not collect logs.
• Speed and stability: to comfortably work with websites.
• Geography: the VPN servers should be in multiple countries to choose the best location.
• Compatibility: the VPN should work on your devices, such as macOS, iOS, Android.
• 24/7 support.

Be sure to read reviews before purchasing a VPN. Free services are not recommended as they limit the choice of countries and connection speed.

If you decide to register with Google via VPN, first download and install the VPN service. Sometimes nothing needs to be downloaded — there are extensions that work in the browser. Turn on the VPN before going to the Gmail website. Choose a country where a phone number is not required for registration, such as European countries. Now you can create an account.

Although using a VPN helps bypass geographical restrictions and increases anonymity and confidentiality, there are some drawbacks:

• Reduced connection speed.
• Risk of blocking.
• Payment required for the service.
• Need to know how to set up a VPN.

Creating Accounts Through Different Devices or IP Addresses

Even if it’s not mandatory to provide a phone number in your country when registering an email account, you may still be asked for it. This happens because the service may suspect suspicious activity. For example, if you have already created several email accounts from one device. You may also appear as a spammer if the username is a random set of letters.

To avoid additional complications, you can change your IP address or use a different device for registration. An enabled VPN can also trigger the system — in that case, turn it off.

Here’s how to create usernames correctly to avoid being blocked or asked for a number:

• Include a real name in the title.
• Avoid using random symbols.
• Avoid words related to spam: “money,” “free,” “discount.”

Conclusion

Gmail is a convenient international email service that helps maintain professional contacts and create accounts on other services. Creating an account without a phone number is possible but not in all countries. In such cases, it’s better to use a VPN. If it’s not mandatory to link contact details to your email in your country but Google still requires it, try changing the device or recreating the account using more realistic data to avoid looking like spam. If this doesn't help and you don't want to use personal contact, use virtual numbers.

FAQs

Can I create multiple Gmail accounts without a phone number?

Yes, you can create multiple Gmail accounts without a phone number if your country allows it. Even if the country does not permit it, you can use a VPN to change your location and register accounts without a phone number.

Can I use a temporary email address for verification when creating a Gmail account without a phone number?

Yes, you can use a temporary email address. But remember, you might need it in the future to recover the account if you lose access. If you don't have access to the temporary email, recovery will be more difficult. That's why it's better to use phone verification.

Will Gmail functionality be affected if I don’t enter my phone number?

You will have access to all Gmail functions. However, your security level will be lower as the profile can only be accessed through a password. You won’t be able to enable two-factor authentication.

Why is Google asking for my phone number to create a Gmail account?

There are several reasons: you may live in a country where a phone number is required for online service registration. It’s not possible to create a Gmail account without a phone number there. The service might have noticed suspicious activity, such as having multiple accounts on this email or creating an email with a spammy name.