How to Get a Virtual Number for WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS and International Calls

You can get a virtual number for WhatsApp, Telegram and everyday SMS in about five minutes, straight from your phone. No new SIM card, no store visit, and no need to live in the country the number belongs to.

This guide shows you exactly how to do it with Cubo Mobile: choosing the right number, buying it, receiving SMS and calls, calling internationally, and verifying WhatsApp and Telegram.

What is a virtual number?

A virtual number is a real phone number that lives in an app instead of on a SIM card. Calls and messages reach you over the internet, on Wi-Fi or mobile data, wherever you are in the world.

People use one to:

• Keep their personal number private when signing up for apps, marketplaces and online services
• Get a US, UK or Canadian number while living or travelling abroad
• Run WhatsApp or Telegram for a side business on the same phone as their personal account
• Receive verification codes (OTPs) from services that need a number from a specific country
• Call friends, family or clients abroad at lower cost than a roaming plan

Step 1: Pick the right number and plan

The most important choice is the plan type, because it decides which apps you can verify. Cubo Mobile offers numbers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Ukraine, each with two plan types.

• WhatsApp plan (from $4.99/month, with 3- and 12-month options): works with WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, Facebook, Instagram, Google, Amazon and more.
• Social plan (from $1.50/month): works with Facebook, Instagram, Google, Amazon and similar services. Does not support WhatsApp.

Rule of thumb: if you plan to use WhatsApp on the number at any point, choose the WhatsApp plan from the start. A Social plan number is the cheaper option for other sign-ups and OTPs.

For US numbers you can also choose your area code, so the number looks local to a specific city or state. That helps if you are dealing with US clients or marketplaces.

Step 2: Buy your virtual number

You can buy on the Cubo Mobile website or in the Cubo Mobile app for iPhone and Android. The steps are the same on both.

1. Create your account. Sign up with your email and verify it.
2. Choose "Virtual Numbers". Select the number type: WhatsApp or Social.
3. Pick a country. United States, United Kingdom, Canada or Ukraine.
4. Choose your number. For US numbers, search by area code and pick the number you like.
5. Select a billing period. Monthly, 3 months or 12 months. Longer periods cost less per month.
6. Pay securely. Use Visa or Mastercard, or a local payment method where available in your country.
7. Done. Your number appears in your dashboard right away, ready to receive SMS and calls.

If your number doesn't work for what you bought it for, Cubo Mobile refunds you, no questions asked.

Step 3: Receive SMS and calls

Incoming SMS and calls are included in every plan. There is nothing extra to set up.

• SMS: messages sent to your number appear in the Cubo Mobile app inbox, usually within seconds. Turn on notifications so you never miss a verification code.
• Calls: incoming calls ring inside the app, just like a normal phone call, over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Tip: verification codes usually expire after 5 to 10 minutes. Keep the app open while you sign up for a new service, so you can copy the code as soon as it lands.

Step 4: Make international calls

Outgoing calls run on prepaid credit, so you only pay for the minutes you use.

1. Open the app and go to Top up.
2. Add credit with your card or a local payment method.
3. Open the dialer, enter the full number with the country code (for example, +1 for the US or +44 for the UK), and tap call.

Your Cubo number shows as the caller ID, so the person you call sees your US, UK, Canadian or Ukrainian number. Calls go over the internet, so a stable Wi-Fi or 4G connection gives the clearest sound.

Step 5: Verify WhatsApp with your virtual number

Make sure your number is on the WhatsApp plan before you start. Then:

1. Install WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business. To keep your personal account, use WhatsApp Business or a second device for the new number.
2. Open the app and tap Agree and continue.
3. Select the country of your Cubo number (for example, United States), then type the number without the country code.
4. Tap Next and confirm the number.
5. Open the Cubo Mobile app. A 6-digit WhatsApp code arrives in your SMS inbox.
6. Enter the code in WhatsApp. If no SMS arrives after the timer runs out, tap Call me. The call rings in your Cubo app and a voice reads out the code.
7. Add your name and profile photo, and you're live.

Protect your account right away: in WhatsApp go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification and set a PIN. Also add a recovery email. This stops anyone else from registering your number on another phone.

Step 6: Verify Telegram with your virtual number

1. Install Telegram and tap Start Messaging.
2. Choose the country of your Cubo number and enter the number.
3. Telegram sends a login code. On a brand-new account it arrives by SMS, so open your Cubo Mobile inbox and copy it.
4. If the SMS doesn't arrive, tap Didn't get the code? to request it again or receive it by phone call in the Cubo app.
5. If Telegram asks for an email address, add one. It is used as a backup login method.
6. Enter the code, set your name, and you're in.

Protect your account: go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification and set a password. Under Phone Number privacy, you can also hide your number from other users.

Tips to keep your number working

• Keep auto-renew on. WhatsApp and Telegram stay linked to your number. If your plan lapses, you may lose the number and access to accounts tied to it.
• Don't hop between devices too fast. Registering the same number on several phones in a short time can trigger temporary blocks from WhatsApp.
• Code not arriving? Check your internet connection, wait for the resend timer, then try the voice call option.
• Still stuck? Contact Cubo Mobile support from the app. If the number doesn't work, you get your money back.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a Cubo virtual number for WhatsApp?

Yes. Choose the WhatsApp plan, available for US, UK, Canadian and Ukrainian numbers. The Social plan does not support WhatsApp.

Do I need to live in the US or UK to get a number there?

No. You can buy and use the number from anywhere with an internet connection.

Can I keep my personal WhatsApp and add a second one?

Yes. Run your personal account in WhatsApp and the Cubo number in WhatsApp Business on the same phone.

Are incoming SMS and calls free?

Yes. Receiving SMS and calls is included in your plan. Only outgoing calls use prepaid credit.

Can I choose my number?

Yes. You choose from available numbers, and for US numbers you can pick the area code.

What happens if verification fails?

Retry with the voice call option first. If the number still doesn't work, Cubo Mobile refunds you, no questions asked.

Buy a number now from Cubo Mobile

Get your number today

A virtual number gives you a private, flexible second line for WhatsApp, Telegram, sign-ups and international calls, all from one app. Pick your country, choose your plan, and be verified in minutes.

WhatsApp and Telegram are trademarks of their respective owners. Cubo Mobile is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Meta or Telegram. Verification depends on each app's own rules, which can change at any time.