If you see a timeout message while logging in to NorthSMS, it is usually caused by a temporary connection issue or high traffic. First, check your internet connection, wait a few minutes, and try again.Make sure you are entering your email address and password correctly. If you originally signed up with Google or Apple, use that same sign-in method instead of a password.If you are using a browser, clear your cache and cookies; if you are using the app, update it to the latest version.Try logging in from a different network or device — this tells you whether the problem is with your connection or your device.Several failed login attempts in a row can temporarily lock your account. If that happens, wait a while and try again with the correct credentials.If the problem continues, contact us through the support chat and our team will help you as soon as possible.

You have the right to request a copy of the personal data NorthSMS stores about you. There is no self-service export; to make the request, open the support chat and state that you would like a copy of your data — the assistant will pass your request to our team as a ticket.For your security, such requests are only processed after the email address registered to your account is verified, and the prepared information is sent to that email address. The preparation time can vary depending on the scope of the request and current demand.If what you actually want is to close your account entirely, you can do that yourself from Settings. Once the account is deleted, your data is removed in accordance with applicable regulations.

SMS activation numbers on NorthSMS are one-time numbers you buy to receive a verification code from a specific service — for example WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform that asks for phone verification during sign-up or login. If you don't want to share your personal number, or you need to create a second account, an activation number lets you complete verification quickly.Important: these numbers only receive SMS. They cannot make calls, send outgoing messages, or be used for general communication. Each activation number is intended for a single verification code from the service you selected — once the code arrives, the order is complete.If no code arrives, you can cancel the order or simply let it expire, and the held amount is automatically released back to your wallet balance. You are never charged for a number that received no code.If you need a number that stays active longer and can receive more than one SMS, NorthSMS also offers rental numbers with plans ranging from hourly up to annual. Activation numbers must not be used for abuse or for activities prohibited by the terms of service.

Getting an SMS activation number on NorthSMS only takes a minute:Sign in to your NorthSMS account.Make sure your wallet balance covers the purchase — top up on the Add Balance page if needed.Choose the service you need a code for (WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and so on).Choose a country. Prices and availability vary by country and change in real time; the current price is always shown before you confirm.Confirm the purchase. Your number is assigned instantly and the order screen opens, showing the number and the time window during which it can receive your code.Enter the number in the service you're verifying and request the SMS. The code appears on the order screen as soon as it arrives.A few things to know:Numbers are assigned automatically — you can't hand-pick a specific number.If no code arrives within the window shown on the order screen, cancel the order or let it expire; the held amount is automatically released back to your wallet. You are never charged for a number that received no code.Each activation number is single-use: it receives one code, and it can't be reused after the order completes.Optional: matching your connection's location to the number's country (for example with a VPN) can sometimes improve the chance the code is delivered, but it isn't required.

PayPal appears in the NorthSMS service catalog whenever numbers are in stock for it. Availability changes in real time, so before buying, check the service list to confirm PayPal is currently offered for the country you want.Choose PayPal as the service, then pick a country (stock and pricing vary by country).Confirm the purchase and wait on the order screen.Enter the code into PayPal as soon as it arrives.Important notes:Delivery isn't guaranteed. Some PayPal flows or regions block virtual numbers — that happens on PayPal's side, and NorthSMS cannot bypass it.If no code arrives within the order's time window, the held amount is automatically released back to your wallet. You can then try a different country, wait an hour or two before retrying, or toggle a VPN on or off.An activation number is for one-time verification only. PayPal may later send codes to the same number for logins, security checks, or recovery — if you expect to need that, consider a rental number instead, which keeps receiving SMS for the whole rental period.For high-risk actions (account recovery, payment-risk reviews), PayPal may require a non-virtual number or alternative methods; no virtual number service can bypass those requirements.If you don't see PayPal in the catalog right now, check again later — stock rotates — or try the Other option (delivery not guaranteed).

Every SMS activation order has a limited active window during which the number can receive your verification code. The exact time remaining is always shown on the order screen — it can vary, so rely on the countdown you see there rather than on a fixed rule.During that window, request the code from the service you're verifying and complete your registration or login. If no code arrives before the window ends, cancel the order or let it expire; the held amount is automatically released back to your wallet and you are not charged.Once the code has been received and your verification is complete, the account you created keeps working as normal. What happens to the number itself after that point is outside NorthSMS's control — activation numbers are one-time, so don't count on receiving anything else on the same number later.If you need a number that stays reachable and keeps receiving SMS beyond a single code, use a rental number instead: you choose the period (from hourly up to annual), you can extend supported numbers before they expire, and you can keep auto-renew on so the rental doesn't lapse.

NorthSMS numbers work well for verification, but we can't guarantee that an account you verify will stay active forever on a third-party platform like WhatsApp or Telegram — that decision belongs to the platform, not to NorthSMS. These services run their own spam and abuse detection and can close or restrict accounts based on rules we have no visibility into.To lower the risk of a fresh account being flagged or closed shortly after verification:Avoid sending many messages to different people right after activating the account, and avoid mass/bulk messaging.When possible, let the other person message you first instead of writing to many new contacts immediately.Use only the official WhatsApp/Telegram app — modified or cloned versions greatly increase the risk of the account being flagged.Numbers from some countries are watched more closely by these platforms than others, so keep an eye on the account's status for the first days after activation.If your account still gets closed despite these precautions, this restriction is enforced by the destination platform (WhatsApp/Telegram), not by NorthSMS, and unfortunately we cannot reverse it. What we can do is help you get set up again — a new verification with a number from a different country usually works. If you keep running into the issue, reach out to us through the support chat and we'll help you find a combination that works.

You can permanently delete your NorthSMS account at any time from the Settings section. Please note that this action is irreversible — once your account is deleted, your purchase history, numbers, and transaction records are removed, and you will no longer be able to log in.Before deleting your account, we recommend checking:Your remaining wallet balance — deleting the account also gives up any balance left in it.Active rentals or pending orders — active rental numbers stop working and cannot be recovered afterwards.After you confirm the deletion, your account is closed immediately and the removal of your associated data follows. Information we're legally required to retain (for example certain payment records) is kept only for as long as the law requires.If you can't find the option or have questions before you go ahead, contact us through the support chat and we'll help.

NorthSMS supports a range of international and regional payment methods for adding balance to your wallet. Which methods are active for you depends on your region and can change over time, so we don't publish a fixed list — the most accurate, up-to-date list is always shown directly on the Add Balance page. What you see there is exactly what's available to you right now.A few things to know:Whatever method you pay with, the amount is added to your wallet as a real US dollar ($) balance — not points, tokens, or credits.Prices can be displayed in other currencies for convenience, but your balance is always held in USD.Some payment methods require identity verification (KYC) before they can be used. If a method asks you to verify, you only need to complete the verification once.In the mobile apps, purchases can also go through App Store or Google Play billing.We're continuously working on adding more local and international options. If your preferred method isn't listed, or a payment fails or doesn't show up in your wallet, contact us through the support chat and we'll take a look.

If you topped up your wallet inside the NorthSMS mobile app using App Store or Google Play billing, the payment was processed entirely by Apple or Google — NorthSMS never receives your payment details and cannot issue a refund for these purchases directly. Refund requests for store purchases must go through Apple or Google.Purchases made on iPhone/iPad (App Store): submit your request through Apple's official "Report a Problem" service, where you can select the purchase and ask Apple for a refund. Apple reviews and decides on the request according to its own policies.Purchases made on Android (Google Play): request the refund through Google Play, from your order history or Google Play's support flow. Google reviews and decides on the request according to its own policies.Because the decision is made by Apple or Google, NorthSMS cannot guarantee or speed up the outcome. For payments made with other methods (for example on the web through the Add Balance page), contact us through the support chat — those refund reviews are handled directly by our team.

NorthSMS works on a simple wallet model. You top up your wallet from the Add Balance page, and every order — an SMS activation number or a rental — is paid from that balance. Your wallet holds real US dollars ($): it is not coins, points, or promotional credit. All top-ups are one-time purchases; you load exactly the amount you need, whenever you need it.How orders use your balance:SMS activation numbers: when you order a number, the price is held from your balance. You're only charged if a code actually arrives. If no code arrives and you cancel (or the order expires), the held amount is automatically released back to your wallet.Rental numbers: charged from your wallet immediately at purchase for the period you choose. Auto-renew is on by default and renews the rental from your balance; you can turn it off per rental at any time.Prices vary by country, service, and current availability, so always check the price shown at checkout. Your balance is held in USD, but prices can be displayed in other currencies for convenience. You can also apply coupon or discount codes at checkout, and the more you spend, the higher the automatic discount tier you unlock.Every top-up and every charge is listed separately in your transaction history, so you can always see exactly where your balance went. If you notice a discrepancy, contact us through the support chat and we'll review it.

Platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram tie your account to the phone number, not to a specific device. So whether you can log in on a new phone depends on whether you can still receive an SMS on that number.If you used a one-time SMS activation number: unfortunately no. Activation numbers are assigned for a single verification, and once your order is complete the number is no longer reserved for you — it can't receive another code later. To use WhatsApp/Telegram on a new phone you would need to verify again with a new number, which moves the account to that new number.If you used a rental number: yes — as long as the rental is still active (not expired or cancelled), you can install WhatsApp/Telegram on the new phone, enter the same number, and read the login code on the number's messages screen in NorthSMS. To keep the number available for situations like this, extend it before it expires or leave auto-renew on.If you plan to keep an account long-term and expect to change devices, a rental number is the right choice from the start. If you're unsure which type you have, or the code isn't arriving on your rental, reach out through the support chat.