Why Does OpenAI Need My Phone Number? Plus, Troubleshooting Tips

Your questions about OpenAI account creation answered

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Landline / VoIP / Google Voice

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Voice or Email Verification

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WhatsApp

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Multiple Accounts

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"Too many attempts" Error

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"Unsupported country" Error

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Tips

Wondering why OpenAI requires you to provide a mobile phone number during account creation? OpenAI uses your phone number to verify your account with a text message code. There isn't a way to skip this process during account creation. This wikiHow guide discusses why OpenAI needs a phone number when creating your account, answers general questions about the process, and provides troubleshooting information for account creation errors.

Things You Should Know

A mobile phone number is required to verify your account and keep OpenAI secure.
You can't use a landline, VoIP, or Google Voice for phone verification.
You can use WhatsApp in certain countries.

Section 1 of 7:

Why is a phone number required?

A phone number is required for security reasons. OpenAI uses your phone number as an account verification step and security measure. The company notes that it doesn't use your phone number for anything else.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 7:

Can you use a landline / VoIP / Google Voice?

No, OpenAI doesn't support landlines, VoIP, or Google Voice. You can't use these services to complete the phone number verification step while creating your OpenAI account. Only mobile phone numbers and WhatsApp (in some countries) can be used.

Section 3 of 7:

Can you use a voice or email verification instead?

No, the verification can't be done through voicemail or email. You can only use a SMS text message or WhatsApp (in some countries).

Section 4 of 7:

Can you use WhatsApp?

Yes, in a few supported countries. You can view the updated list of supported countries at this website, under the section "Which countries do you support for WhatsApp phone verification?":
- https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6613520-phone-verification
- If you don't have a WhatsApp account yet, check out our guide to using WhatsApp.

Section 5 of 7:

Can you make multiple accounts with one number?

Yes, you can make 2 accounts with one phone number. However, only the first API account will be given free trial tokens.

Section 6 of 7:

What does the "too many attempts" error mean?

This means that you've attempted the phone verification too many times. To resolve this, wait a few hours before trying again. If there's still an issue, try these fixes:
- Check your list of blocked numbers to make sure you get the text message.
- Make sure you have cellular coverage in your area.
- Turn your phone off and back on again.

Section 7 of 7:

What does the "unsupported country" error mean?

This means you might be signing up from an unsupported country. OpenAI is only available in certain countries. You can check the most up-to-date list at the link below:
- https://platform.openai.com/docs/supported-countries