If a verification code isn't arriving, or the service you're verifying with shows an error like "number blocked" or "banned number", the cause is usually the destination service's own spam/abuse detection — not NorthSMS. Availability and success rates change constantly per country and service, and the steps below solve most cases.For SMS activation (one-time) numbersCodes usually arrive within a few minutes — give it a short wait before retrying.If nothing arrives, cancel the order or simply let it expire. You are never charged for a number that received no code — the held amount is automatically released back to your wallet, so there's nothing to refund and no risk in retrying.Try again with a number from a different country: success rates differ a lot per country+service combination, and switching country is the single most effective fix.For rental numbersCheck the number's messages screen in NorthSMS — codes appear there, not on a physical device.Make sure the service accepts the country/number you're using; some platforms actively detect and block virtual numbers on their end, which is outside NorthSMS's control.A service that was already verified ("used") on that specific number can't be verified again on the same number.General troubleshooting (both types)Use only the official app of the service you're verifying — cloned or modded versions (dual-app tools, GB WhatsApp, etc.) trigger spam detection.On Android, clear the app's cache and data before retrying (Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage > Clear cache / Clear data). On iPhone this isn't possible directly — after a few failed attempts, wait 12–24 hours before trying again, since the service's spam detection resets over time.Space out your attempts instead of requesting several codes back-to-back.If you've gone through all of this and still can't get a code, contact us through the support chat with the number, service, and country you tried — we'll review it and help.

To protect platform security and fair use, NorthSMS may temporarily restrict or permanently close accounts in certain cases. Common reasons include:Policy violations: any activity that breaks NorthSMS's terms of use.Excessive attempts: ordering too many numbers in a short time without completing verifications can trigger a temporary, automatic cooldown (rate limit).Fraud or system abuse: attempting to manipulate or bypass NorthSMS systems, or fraudulent payment activity.Chargeback/refund abuse: disputing or reclaiming payments after using the balance or numbers.Depending on severity, a restriction can be temporary (it lifts automatically after a cooldown period) or permanent. Creating new accounts to get around a ban is itself a violation and can turn a temporary restriction into a permanent one.If you believe your account was restricted by mistake, open the support chat and tell us what happened. The assistant can escalate your case to our human team as a ticket; the team reviews every appeal and gets back to you. Please include the email address of the affected account so we can find it quickly.

Refunds work differently depending on what you bought and how you paid. Here's the full picture.SMS activation numbers — usually nothing to refundWhen you order an activation number, the price is only held from your wallet. If no verification code arrives, cancel the order or let it expire — the held amount is automatically released back to your wallet balance. You are never charged for a number that received no code, so in most cases there is nothing to refund and nothing you need to request.Rental numbers — reviewed by the support teamRentals are charged from your wallet immediately at purchase, and there is no self-service cancellation for an active period — turning off auto-renew only stops the next renewal; it does not refund the current period. If your rental number can't be used (no SMS arriving, blocked by the destination service, etc.), first go through the troubleshooting steps: use the official app, clear its cache, space out your attempts, and retry. If it still doesn't work, contact us through the support chat with the number and what you tried — our team reviews each case and handles cancellation or a wallet refund manually where appropriate.Money back to your original payment methodIf you'd like unspent wallet balance returned to the payment method you paid with, contact us through the support chat. These requests are reviewed by our team; we can't guarantee a specific outcome or timeframe, but every request is looked at.Purchases made through the App Store or Google PlayTop-ups made inside the mobile apps via Apple or Google billing are processed by Apple/Google, and refunds for them must be requested from Apple or Google directly — NorthSMS cannot refund those payments itself.

A NorthSMS rental number is a virtual phone number assigned to you for the period you choose. You can use it to receive SMS verification codes when signing up for or logging in to services that verify accounts by phone — such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and similar platforms. It is a practical option when you don't want to share your personal number, or you need a second number for a specific service.Rental numbers are receive-only for SMS — they cannot make or receive calls and cannot send outgoing messages. For verification, that is all you need: receiving the SMS code is exactly what completes verification on WhatsApp, Telegram, and similar services. Once the code arrives and you enter it, your account is verified.Unlike a one-time code, your rental number stays active for the whole rental period and can receive multiple SMS messages during that time. Every message it receives appears on the number's detail page. Using a rental number for abuse or for activity prohibited by NorthSMS terms is not allowed.

You choose the rental period at purchase. NorthSMS offers plans ranging from hourly up to annual — the exact options depend on the country, so check what is available for your chosen country before you buy. The cost of the plan is charged from your wallet balance immediately at purchase.Pick a short plan if you only need the number for a one-time verification, or a longer plan if you want to keep using the same number — for example, to stay reachable on a service you verified with it.Long-term or permanent-style use is fully supported: as long as your number is active, it stays assigned to you. Auto-renew is turned on by default, so an active number renews itself automatically as long as your wallet has enough balance — and you can turn it off individually for any rental. On supported numbers you can also extend the rental manually before it expires, so there is no fixed upper limit on how long you can keep a number.

NorthSMS rental numbers are built specifically to receive incoming SMS — for example verification codes from WhatsApp, Telegram, and similar services. Receiving the code is enough to complete verification, but this focus also defines their limits:No phone calls. Rental numbers cannot make or receive calls.No outgoing SMS. You can receive messages, but you cannot reply or send messages to anyone.Capabilities can vary per number. If you have a specific requirement, check the details shown for a number before renting it.One more important limitation: if a service has already been used ("burned") on a specific number, that same service cannot be verified again on that number. In that case, rent a different number for the service you want to verify.If you need a number for calls or general two-way communication, that is outside what rental numbers are for.

Renting a number on NorthSMS takes just a few steps:Open the rental numbers section and pick the country you need a number from. Pricing and availability vary by country and change constantly, so check what is currently offered.Choose your rental plan — options range from hourly up to annual depending on the country.Confirm the purchase. The cost is charged from your wallet balance immediately at purchase. If your balance is not enough, top up first on the Add Balance page.Your number is assigned right away. Open its detail page to view incoming SMS — you can start receiving messages immediately.Auto-renew is on by default for new rentals, so your number renews itself before it expires as long as your wallet has enough funds. You can turn this on or off per rental from the number's settings.

Most services that verify accounts by sending an SMS code work with a NorthSMS rental number — this commonly includes WhatsApp, Telegram, and many other apps and sites that use SMS verification. Receiving the code is all these platforms need: once it arrives, you enter it and verification is complete.That said, delivery is not guaranteed on every platform. Some services actively detect and block virtual numbers on their end, and success rates vary by country and service and change constantly — this is outside the control of NorthSMS.A few practical tips:If a specific service does not accept your number, try a number from a different country.A service that has already been used on a number cannot be verified again on that same number — rent a different number for it.If you are unsure whether a particular service is expected to work, ask in the support chat before renting.

Your rental number stays active for the plan period you purchased, starting from the moment you bought it. You can see the exact expiry date and time on the number's detail page.Auto-renewAuto-renew is turned on by default. While it is on, the number is automatically extended under the same terms before its period ends, so you don't lose it — as long as your wallet balance is sufficient. If the renewal payment cannot be collected, nothing is charged and the number simply expires at the end of its current period. You can turn auto-renew on or off at any time, individually for each rental, from the number's settings.Extending manuallyOn supported numbers you can also extend the rental yourself for another period before it expires — useful if you prefer to keep auto-renew off but still want to keep the number.When a number expiresIf a number expires without being renewed or extended, it stops receiving SMS and may no longer be reserved for you. If you want to keep the number, make sure it is renewed or extended before the expiry time shown on its detail page.

There is currently no self-service option to cancel a rental number before its period ends. If you simply no longer need the number, turn off auto-renew from the number's settings and let the current period run out — you will not be charged again. Note that turning off auto-renew only controls whether the number renews for another period; it does not cancel or refund the current active period.Before requesting cancellation for a number that is not working (no SMS arriving, blocked by the destination service, and so on), please go through the troubleshooting steps first — wait a little and retry, space out your attempts, and check whether the destination service accepts the number. Most delivery issues resolve this way, and a working number does not need to be cancelled.If you have completed troubleshooting and the number still cannot be used, open the support chat and share the number and what you tried. Cancellation and refund requests are reviewed by the support team, and where appropriate they will handle the cancellation or refund manually. We cannot guarantee a specific outcome or timeframe, but every request is reviewed.Money-back refunds to your original payment method are also handled by the support team. If your wallet top-up was made through the Apple App Store or Google Play in the mobile apps, the refund has to go through Apple or Google instead.

If you have a coupon or discount code, you can redeem it on NorthSMS. Depending on the type of code, it is either entered during checkout or added straight to your wallet balance.For a checkout discount, pick the SMS activation number or rental number you want to buy and continue to the payment step. Enter the code in the field provided and apply it — if the code is valid, the discount is reflected in the total, and the remaining amount is paid from your wallet balance as usual.Some coupons load balance instead. In the wallet or Add Balance area, choose the "Use Coupon" option, enter the code in full, and confirm. A valid code is credited to your balance in US dollars and is available for your next purchase right away.Codes can be case- and space-sensitive; copying and pasting reduces errors.Codes may have an expiration date, usage conditions, and sometimes a one-time use limit.If a coupon has expired or was already used, the system will let you know.If your code still is not accepted, contact us through the support chat with the code and the exact error message you received, and our team will look into it.

NorthSMS does not have a classic points-based loyalty program — there are no points, tokens, or reward levels to collect. Instead, loyalty is rewarded through automatic spending-based discount tiers.It works like this: the more you spend on NorthSMS over time, the higher your discount tier becomes. Once you reach a tier, its discount is applied to your purchases automatically — there is no code to enter and nothing to activate.Everything stays in real money: your wallet balance is held in US dollars, and tier discounts lower the actual dollar price you pay. Coupon and discount codes are separate from tier discounts and can also be redeemed on purchases.If you are not sure which discount tier you are currently on, or what rate applies to your account, ask in the support chat.