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How to Manage Two-Factor Authentication Testing Without Using Your Own Phone

June 5, 2025 Web development

Testing an online product or service? A big part of your process probably involves testing SMS, especially if your customers will need to create accounts and verify their phone numbers as part of the signup process. 

Testing two-factor authentication with your own number, or even a company number, is far from the most efficient option. While it can be a good way to get started, using just one or two numbers from your specific testing region won’t give you the insight you need to understand whether your service is suitable for large-scale use, with customers across regions or even countries.

You need to test with dozens of numbers to get the full picture—and buying or renting non-VoIP numbers makes a lot more sense than buying multiple SIMs for this purpose. Here’s everything you should know about using non-VoIP numbers for two-factor authentication testing.

Buying For Short-Term Use Vs Renting

If you just need a batch of numbers for one-time testing, the most cost-effective option is to buy these numbers for short-term use. Many companies sell non-VoIP numbers that you can typically use for 1 hour, max (when the time is up, the number will no longer be active). This is a good option if you want to keep your costs low and efficiently run through testing with all the numbers you’ve bought. 

But if you don’t want to be pressured by a time limit or you need access to phone numbers for ongoing testing, you may prefer to rent several non-VoIP numbers instead. These numbers are the same—the only difference is how long you have access to them for. You’ll be able to choose your preferred rental period, then pay an ongoing fee to keep using the numbers during this time.

Companies like https://www.smspool.net/ offer non-VoIP numbers for short- and long-term use, so you can choose the right option for your budget and testing requirements. 

How to Test Two-Factor Authentication With A Non-VoIP Number

The process of testing two-factor authentication with a non-VoIP number is quick and easy. Here’s what you’ll do: 

  1. Buy or rent the number on a site like SMSPool. 
  2. Once the number is yours, use it in an account signup test. 
  3. If the test is a success, you’ll receive a verification code (sent to the test number), available to view online. 
  4. Enter the code to complete the testing process and log into the account. 

Benefits of Using Non-VoIP Numbers for Two-Factor Authentication Testing

The key benefits of using non-VoIP numbers for two-factor authentication testing are: 

  • You don’t have to buy multiple SIMs or devices for your testing processes
  • You can choose numbers by country, so you can test across different regions (necessary if you’re targeting a global audience)
  • There are different options for different use periods
  • They’re tied to an actual carrier, so they should replicate the process of using a “real” phone number

Takeaway

If you’re looking to test two-factor authentication for your digital product or service, you hopefully now understand why using non-VoIP numbers is the most effective solution. 

Just make sure to choose a reputable company, with plenty of positive customer feedback, to buy or rent your numbers from. The last thing you want is to waste your time and money with numbers that don’t work.