How to Create a Viber Account Without a Personal Phone Number

“How to create a Viber account without a phone number” is a question thousands of users search for every month—not only for convenience, but for privacy, security, and control over personal data. Many people want to use Viber on a tablet, a work device, or a secondary phone. Others simply don’t want their real number tied to another online platform.

Viber, however, is built around phone numbers. Unlike email-first apps, it uses a number as the core account identifier. That doesn’t mean you must expose your personal number. It does mean you need some number during setup.

This guide explains what’s actually possible in 2026, why Viber asks for a number, and the safe ways to use the app without linking your primary phone line.

Why Viber Asks for Your Phone Number

Viber’s registration system is number-based by design. The phone number becomes your account ID across devices and platforms.

1. Account security and identity validation

A phone number acts as a stable identifier. Viber uses it to confirm that a real person is creating the account, block automated sign-ups, and reduce spam and abuse. This is especially important for a messaging platform where fake accounts can be used for scams.

2. Verification during setup

When you install Viber, you’re asked to enter a phone number and then confirm it using a one-time code sent via SMS or voice call. This step cannot be skipped.

3. Account recovery

If you reinstall the app, change devices, or lose access, Viber uses the linked number to verify that you are the rightful owner. Without access to that number, recovering the account becomes difficult or impossible.

In short, Viber doesn’t use phone numbers just for convenience—it uses them as the backbone of its identity system.

Why Users Avoid Linking Their Personal Number

Many people are uncomfortable connecting their real phone number to yet another platform. Common concerns include:

• Privacy and data exposure
• Receiving unwanted messages or spam 
• Mixing personal and professional communication 
• Using Viber on devices without a SIM card 
• Maintaining separation between different online identities 

Phone numbers are powerful identifiers. Once linked, they can connect multiple services, profiles, and datasets to the same person. For privacy-conscious users, that’s reason enough to look for alternatives.

How to Use Viber Without Your Personal Phone Number

You can’t create a Viber account without any number—but you can avoid using your main number. There are two practical approaches:

1. Use a secondary number that you control 
2. Use a virtual number service such as SMSFAST, understanding its limits 

Both methods let you keep your real phone line private.

Option 1: Use a Secondary Number You Control

This is the safest and most reliable way to keep your personal number out of Viber.

You can use:

1. A prepaid SIM card 
2. An eSIM with a dedicated number 
3. A secondary number provided by your mobile carrier 

These are real numbers, owned by you, that can receive SMS or calls.

Step-by-step

• Obtain a secondary number
  This can be a cheap prepaid SIM or an eSIM plan. It doesn’t need to be your main line.
   
• Install Viber
  Download Viber on your phone or tablet.
   
• Enter the secondary number
  When prompted, provide the new number instead of your personal one.

• Verify the code
  Receive the SMS or call on that line and enter the code in Viber.

• Complete setup
  Once verified, Viber works normally on Wi-Fi and across devices.

You now have a full Viber account that:

• Isn’t linked to your primary number
• Can be recovered later 
• Works long-term 
• Supports all features 

This approach offers the best balance between privacy and stability.

Option 2: Virtual or Temporary Numbers (How Services Like SMSFAST Work)

Some users turn to platforms such as SMSFAST that provide temporary or rented phone numbers for receiving verification codes online.

These services don’t remove Viber’s phone requirement. Instead, they act as SMS gateways:

• You choose a service and region

• The platform assigns a number for a limited time 
• Incoming messages appear in a web dashboard

• You copy the code and complete verification 

From a technical standpoint, you are borrowing access to a number owned by the provider.

This approach appears attractive because it avoids using a personal number. But Reddit discussions show the trade-off clearly. In broader privacy and travel communities, users often warn that virtual numbers fail for long-term use. For example, in the r/digitalnomad thread
“Virtual phone number?”, people explain that these numbers frequently stop working and cannot be used for recovery later.

Real users frequently report that:

• Viber simply never delivers the verification code, even after multiple attempts.
• They can’t log back in after reinstalling
• The number is later reused by someone else
• There are also frequent questions about whether VoIP or virtual numbers work at all. 

These platforms are best understood as temporary access tools, not long-term identity solutions.

Benefits

• No personal number is exposed
• No SIM card required 
• Works quickly in many cases 
• Useful for short-term testing or experiments

Risks and limitations

Real users frequently report that:

• The number works once, then disappears 
• They can’t log back in after reinstalling 
• The account becomes inaccessible 
• The number is later reused by someone else 

These platforms are best understood as temporary access tools, not long-term identity solutions.

They are suitable for:

• Testing how Viber works 
• Short-lived accounts 
• One-time experiments 

They are risky for:

• Daily communication
• Business or client chats 
• Storing important conversations 
• Accounts you may need to recover later 

A simple rule:

If you don’t control the number, you don’t fully control the account.

Troubleshooting: Common Verification Problems

Tip: Make sure your device’s date, time, and region settings are correct. An incorrect system time can prevent verification.

Conclusion

You can’t create a Viber account without any phone number—but you absolutely can avoid using your personal one.

The safest path is simple: use a prepaid SIM, eSIM, or secondary number you control 

This keeps your identity private while preserving full account ownership and recovery.

Virtual number platforms like SMSFAST offer convenience, but they trade permanence for speed. They can be useful for short-term access, yet risky for anything you care about long-term.

Choose the method that matches your priorities:

1. Privacy and stability → secondary number 
2. Temporary access only → virtual number service 

Understanding that trade-off is what prevents unpleasant surprises later.

FAQ

Can I use Viber on Wi-Fi only?
Yes. After activation, Viber works entirely over Wi-Fi. The number is only required for initial verification and recovery.

Can I use Viber on a tablet without a SIM?
Yes. Activate Viber using a phone first, then link the tablet. The tablet itself doesn’t need a SIM.

Can I change my Viber number later?
Yes. Viber allows you to update your number in settings, but the new number must be verified.

Can I use email instead of a phone number?
No. Viber accounts are phone-number-based and do not support email-only registration.

What happens if I lose access to the number?
You may lose access to the account. This is why using a number you control is important for long-term use.