In today's globalized world, many people find themselves needing a US phone number while living overseas. For those residing in Japan or other countries who want to obtain an American number, we've conducted thorough testing and comparisons to recommend several reliable virtual phone number apps. This guide will walk you through the process and introduce the best available options.
1. Preparation Before You Begin
The first step in acquiring a US phone number is changing your device's regional settings to the United States. This is crucial because most apps enforce geographic restrictions on downloads. For iPhone users, this means switching your Apple ID's region from Japan to the US (detailed instructions are available on Apple's official website). Similarly, Google Play Store users will need a US-region account to access certain applications.
2. Commonly Unavailable Apps
During our testing, several popular apps failed to provide US numbers successfully, including TextNow, Google Voice, and TextFree. Most of these services only support North America and some European countries. Even with a US-region account, many users will be blocked by geographic recognition systems. Additionally, these apps typically require a US or Canadian number to receive verification codes during registration, making it nearly impossible to sign up with Japanese or Chinese phone numbers.
3. Recommended Virtual Number Apps
After extensive testing, we recommend these four relatively mature and functional applications:
Hushed
Hushed allows registration without requiring a phone number or verification code. Simply download the app, create an account using your email, then select a US number and choose a payment plan. As of publication, Hushed offers these prepaid packages:
- $2.00: 7 days, 20 calling minutes, 60 texts
- $3.99: 30 days, 50 calling minutes, 150 texts
- $9.99: 90 days, 100 calling minutes, 250 texts
- $29.99: 365 days, 500 calling minutes, 1,100 texts
The app currently offers a special promotion: $25 buys a US/Canada/UK number with year-long validity.
Ring4
Ring4 provides a 7-day free trial period before payment is required. The service offers free incoming calls and texts, but cannot receive verification codes through Chinese mainland numbers. Registration is straightforward - just download the app and verify with your phone number. Pricing:
- Monthly: $9.99
- Additional numbers cost 10 credits each
OpenPhone
OpenPhone caters more to business users but offers personal plans too. Registration requires a US or Canadian number for verification (Chinese numbers won't work). Upon successful registration, you'll receive a randomly assigned US number. The standard monthly plan costs $17.
DingTone & TalkU
While we encountered some registration issues with these apps, user feedback confirms they can successfully provide US numbers. Registration involves either phone number verification or social media authentication. Their pricing is relatively affordable, typically offering monthly or annual plans.
4. Physical SIM Card Options
For those physically in the US, traditional carriers like Verizon and AT&T offer more options. For international users needing long-term US numbers, services like KnowRoaming and UltraMobile PayGo are worth considering. These provide not just US numbers but also support receiving bank verification texts and registering with American e-commerce platforms.
Conclusion
With this information, you should have a clearer understanding of how to obtain a US phone number while abroad. Remember to prepare adequately, understand each app's features and limitations, and choose the solution that best fits your needs. We hope everyone requiring an American number can successfully acquire one that meets their requirements!