For mainland users, the step that blocks more people than anything else is SMS verification. OpenAI relaxed the phone step for basic ChatGPT signup in 2026, but you still need a supported-country number to create an OpenAI API key, to re-verify from a new device, and for Claude. A +86 number is not on either supported list, and free VoIP numbers (Google Voice, TextNow, TextFree, Skype) are actively blocked. What you need is a non-VoIP number from a country both services accept — obtainable cheaply, without real-name registration, from providers you can sign up to from the mainland. This guide covers every practical route.
What ChatGPT and Claude actually require
- A number from a supported country — US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Germany, France and more.
- Not VoIP — virtual/over-the-internet numbers are rejected.
- Not already flagged — numbers many people have used are blocked.
- Reachable later — both services may ask you to re-verify from a new device.
The three ways to get a number
| Option | Best for | Typical cost | Real-name needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verification-code platforms (5sim, sms-activate, HeroSMS) | One-off signup, cheapest | From ~US$0.05–1 per number | No |
| Real US numbers (TextVerified) | Reliable verification, keep the line | US$0.25+ per code; rentals US$1.50+ | No |
| UK/US eSIM with a number (Lycamobile, Tello) | Long-term 2FA, you own the number | ~£3.50–5 or ~US$5 per month | No (UK prepaid); some US providers want an address |
Option 1 — Verification-code platforms (fastest, cheapest)
Platforms like 5sim, sms-activate.org, Teleram and HeroSMS rent you a number for minutes and show the incoming SMS on their website or app. They cover hundreds of countries and list OpenAI/ChatGPT (and similar services) as a category. You register with an email — no real name, no ID — and top up with crypto or a card. Prices start at a few US cents (roughly ¥1–5 per code from the mainland).
How to use 5sim (example)
- Register at 5sim.net (email only) and add a small balance — US$2–5 is enough for one or two verifications.
- Select the service “OpenAI/ChatGPT” (Claude is sometimes listed as Anthropic; an OpenAI number usually still works for Claude).
- Pick a country — start with UK, US or Canada — and pick an operator with a high success rate.
- Buy the number, paste it into the signup page, and read the code on the 5sim page.
Option 2 — Real US numbers (most reliable per-use)
TextVerified is the name to know when a virtual number fails. Its numbers are real, non-VoIP US lines backed by physical SIMs — what the strictest services (Google, PayPal) look for. There is no real-name registration: sign up, buy credits with a card or crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDC, Tether, Monero), and use a number. One-off codes from about US$0.25, 1–14 day rentals from about US$1.50, renewable rentals about US$5/month to keep the number permanently.
Option 3 — A foreign eSIM with a number (best long-term)
For a number you actually own for years, buy a prepaid eSIM that includes a phone number — not just data — in a supported country, ordered online. Important mainland note: Chinese carriers do not offer consumer eSIM for personal lines, and some mainland-market phones (国行机型) lack eSIM hardware or have it disabled — check that your device supports eSIM before buying.
UK numbers (+44) — Lycamobile, Lebara, giffgaff, Three
UK prepaid SIMs need no real-name registration, and the operators sell eSIMs online delivered by email/QR code, so you can buy from the mainland and get a UK number without showing ID. Lycamobile UK’s eSIM plans start around £3.50–£5 for 30 days; Lebara runs promos from about £2.50/month; Three keeps a PAYG number active with one chargeable activity every 180 days.
US numbers (+1) — Tello, US Mobile
Tello sells prepaid eSIMs with a real US number from about US$5/month; US Mobile’s “Light Plan” is about US$8/month. Some US providers want a US billing address or US-issued card — check before you commit. US numbers are the most compatible choice for both ChatGPT and Claude.
How much it costs to keep a number (for the odd SMS)
If your goal is simply to hold a number you can receive the occasional verification SMS on, the cost picture is very different from the one-off services above. Prices verified August 2026 (RMB at ~¥7.2/US$).
| Provider | Setup | Keep cost (occasional SMS) | Incoming SMS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| giffgaff (UK PAYG eSIM) | ~£0–2 (≈¥0–19) | £0 — any use once every 6 months | Free | ⚠️ July 2026 mass bans for long-term overseas use |
| Lycamobile UK (eSIM) | from ~£3.50 (first-month promo) | £3.50–5 / month (≈¥34–48) | Free | 30-day bundles with a UK number |
| Lebara UK (eSIM) | from ~£2.50 (3-month promo) | ~£2.50–5 / month (≈¥24–48) | Free | Promo ends after 3 months |
| Three UK (PAYG eSIM) | ~£10 one-time top-up | £0 — 1 chargeable activity per 180 days | Free | 35p/min, 15p/text, 10p/MB |
| Tello (US eSIM) | from ~US$5 (≈¥36) | ~US$5 / month | Free | Cheapest US line for keeping |
| US Mobile (US eSIM) | ~US$8 (≈¥58) | ~US$8 / month (Light Plan) | Free | 2GB + unlimited talk & text |
| TextVerified rental (US) | ~US$1.50 / 1–14 days | ~US$5 / month (renewable) | Free | Real non-VoIP US line, keep forever |
| 5sim / sms-activate (virtual) | ~US$0.05–1 per number (≈¥0.5–7) | n/a — single-use | one-time | Cheapest one-off, no keepable line |
Which country should you pick?
| Country | ChatGPT | Claude | Ease of getting a number |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (+1) | Yes | Yes | Easy |
| United Kingdom (+44) | Yes | Yes | Easy — no real-name prepaid eSIMs |
| Canada (+1) | Yes | Yes | Medium |
| Australia (+61) | Yes | Yes | Medium |
| Japan / Singapore | Yes | Yes | Harder |
| Germany / France | Yes | Yes | Medium |
Making the number last
- Do not register dozens of accounts on one number — reused numbers get flagged.
- Keep the number reachable for at least a few weeks after signup.
- For long-term use, pick a UK/US eSIM or a renewable rental and keep it topped up.
- Match the number’s country to your proxy country at signup.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my +86 number with a proxy?
No. A proxy changes your IP, but the phone number is still checked against the supported-country list, and +86 is not on it. You need a number from a supported country.
Can I use free numbers from Google Voice, TextNow or TextFree?
No. Those are VoIP numbers and both OpenAI and Anthropic block VoIP numbers for verification.
Do mainland phones support eSIM?
Not for domestic lines — Chinese carriers do not offer consumer eSIM for personal numbers. For foreign eSIMs (like UK/US plans), check that your specific device has eSIM hardware and is not region-locked; some 国行 models lack or disable it.
Will ChatGPT or Claude ban me for using a verification service?
The risk is the number, not the service. A number widely used for other accounts gets flagged; a freshly provisioned one, especially a real carrier line, is usually fine. Reusing one number for many accounts attracts attention.
What if the verification SMS never arrives?
Cancel or return the number and try another — most services auto-refund if no code arrives. Prefer US/UK lines and high success-rate operators.