SMS Activate User Guide
This guide is intended for global users, developers, and testers to understand the workflow of using SMS verification services.
Service Status Update
On Dec 29, 2025, SMS-Activate announced it had ceased operations and migrated to Hero-SMS. The content of this guide is for historical reference only. For users needing stable SMS verification, we recommend using SMS-Act. SMS-Act is an independent platform and is not affiliated with HeroSMS.
What is SMS Activate?
SMS Activate is an online virtual number service that allows users to receive SMS verification codes from around the world. For developers, QA engineers, and product managers, it is an essential tool for testing app registration, login, and verification flows without relying on physical SIM cards.
With SMS-Act, you can acquire temporary numbers for testing, evaluate SMS delivery rates in different regions, and verify your application's global availability.
Common Use Cases
SMS Activate is primarily used for the following compliant scenarios:
Development & QA Testing During development, testers need a large volume of unique phone numbers to verify registration flows, password reset functions, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) logic. Virtual numbers provide rapid access to testing resources without buying physical SIMs.
Global Feature Evaluation Product teams evaluating third-party services (like WhatsApp, Telegram, OpenAI, etc.) or conducting competitive analysis often need to register multiple accounts to experience the full user journey. SMS Activate offers a convenient way to handle these temporary verification needs.
Privacy Protection Testing Verifying how applications handle user privacy data, ensuring service flows remain smooth without exposing real personal information during testing.
Brief Process: How to Complete a Verification Test
Using SMS-Act for verification testing is simple:
- Register & Login: Visit the SMS-Act website and log in to your account.
- Top-up Balance: Recharge your account using Crypto (USDT/BTC), Stripe (Credit Card), or other local payment methods suitable for your region.
- Select Service: Choose the target service you need to test from the left menu (e.g., Google, Facebook, Telegram).
- Select Country: Choose the country region you wish to simulate. We recommend numbers from the USA, UK, Netherlands, or Indonesia for high success rates.
- Get Number: Click purchase, and the system will assign a temporary virtual number to you.
- Input Number: Enter this number into the application you are testing and send the verification code.
- Receive Code: Return to the SMS-Act platform and wait for the SMS to arrive. The code will appear on the page in real-time.
- Complete Verification: Enter the received code into the application to finish the flow.
Common Reasons for Not Receiving Codes
During testing, you might occasionally fail to receive a code. This is typically caused by:
- Carrier Network Latency: Cross-border SMS delivery can be affected by local network conditions, causing delays.
- Service Provider Filters: Some applications employ aggressive filters against virtual numbers.
- IP Address Mismatch: If your testing network environment (IP) does not match the country of the selected number, it might trigger the target app's security mechanisms. We recommend using a proxy/VPN to match the IP region with the number region.
Suggested Solutions:
- Try a different number (switch carriers).
- Check your network environment.
- If "Virtual" numbers fail repeatedly, try our "Physical" number options.
Risks & Limitations of Temporary Numbers
While convenient, please be aware of the following limitations:
- Temporary Nature: Numbers are disposable. Once released, you generally cannot get the same number back. Do not use them for long-term, critical account binding, as you will lose access if re-verification is required.
- Non-Exclusivity Risk: After a number is recycled back to the carrier pool, it might eventually be reassigned to another user after a long period.
- Functionality Limits: Typically support receiving SMS only, not sending SMS or making calls.
Compliance & Usage Boundaries
Please ensure you use this service within legal limits:
- Legitimate Use Only: Strictly prohibited for fraud, harassment, spam, or other illegal activities.
- Respect Platform Rules: When testing third-party platforms, please adhere to their Terms of Service.
- Data Security: Do not use public virtual numbers to receive banking codes or sensitive personal identity information (PII).
SMS-Act is committed to providing efficient, compliant verification solutions for developers and professionals.