If you’re looking to test a service you’ve created that involves SMS delivery, you’re probably after the most practical and efficient solution for testing the SMS verification process. 

Using your team’s own numbers won’t cut it, especially if you’re planning to scale in the future or you’re offering your service globally and need to test phone numbers in different regions.  

For most businesses, non-VoIP numbers will be the best option here, as they’ll allow you to bypass restrictions that you might run into where VoIP numbers are blocked. Here, we’re walking you through how to use non-VoIP temporary numbers for your SMS testing processes. 

How to Choose a Reliable Temporary Number Service

First, how do you choose a reliable service offering temporary numbers? Make sure you look for services that clearly state numbers are non-VoIP, since these are more likely to work than VoIP numbers (which are internet-based and often get flagged as spam).

You’ll also want to check delivery rates and number freshness on the website you’re considering buying these numbers from. Plus, if you’re looking to test phone numbers across the world, look at the regional availability for the numbers available. 

Transparent pricing is obviously important regardless of the service you’re looking at, so make sure costs are clearly outlined on the website you buy your phone numbers from, with no sneaky hidden fees to catch you by surprise later down the line.  

Before you commit to a specific temporary number service, it’s worth using a free carrier lookup tool on a site like SMSPool to verify the number’s type and carrier, so you can be certain that you’re avoiding VoIP numbers.

Common Use Cases for Temporary Numbers in Testing

If you want to get the most value from your investment in temporary numbers, you’ll want to take advantage of all the different ways they can be used. These include: 

• Verifying app or website signups during your quality assurance processes
• Testing SMS delivery when you’re making system updates
• Checking user flows for international numbers

Essentially, if you’re carrying out any internal testing where you don’t want to use personal phone numbers, temporary numbers are usually a better alternative.  

Best Practices for Using Non-VoIP Numbers Responsibly

Non-VoIP numbers can be ideal for various testing scenarios, but you’ll still need to use them responsibly—and that means being aware of the things you shouldn’t do and the times they’re not going to cut it.

First, you should only use these numbers for internal testing, rather than for bypassing legitimate verification processes where sharing your real data is necessary. 

Keep in mind that these numbers are temporary, meaning they’re usually only available for use for one-to-two hours at most. That means you want to be strategic about when you get them, so you can make the most of all the time you have with them. Alternatively, if you need phone numbers for longer-term use, you might be better off renting them on a rolling monthly basis.