Your phone number is a unique identifier, but if data security is your top concern, you have the power to create an email account without phone verification.
Even if you're not concerned about data breaches, it's still a good idea to provide the option to create an email account without providing a phone number.
This article delves into the reasons why service providers request your phone number during account registration, providing you with a sense of security and offering advice on how to conceal it.
Why do Email Providers require Phone Number Verification?
When you sign up for an email service, your provider may need your phone number for the following three reasons:
Verification
Service providers must ensure you are not a spambot or other automated program. If mail servers allow bots or spammers to use them, they risk losing confidence and resources.
This is especially true for free email services.
Two-factor Authentication
One approach to protecting online accounts is with two-factor authentication, or 2FA for short. This method requires more information than just the login credentials. The second part, the credential, is usually a phone number.
Account Recovery
Even if you need to find your account login details, you can still access your account by dialling the relevant phone number.
However, if a system cannot retrieve lost login credentials, the results may be disastrous.
While not limited to, these are the most common reasons why companies ask for phone numbers.
Many email providers strongly recommend a customer's phone number, even if it's not required, so bear that in mind.
Methods to Create an Email Account Without a Phone Number
Use Temporary Email Services
Services like Tempemailgen, Temp Mail, Guerrilla Mail, Mailinator, or 10 Minute Mail offer a safe way to create a temporary email address without giving your phone number.
These sites are great if you want to sign up for newsletters or other online services that need an email address.
But remember that these addresses are usually only valid for a short time, so you shouldn't use them for a long time.
Use Anonymous Email Services
You may use services like Yandex Mail, ProtonMail, Hushmail, Mailfence, and Tutanota to set up an email account without verifying your phone number.
With end-to-end encryption, these services prioritize security and privacy. Nevertheless, remember that creating an anonymous account can have limitations, and using your IP address might compromise your anonymity.
Temporary Email Services: Create an Email Account Without a Phone Number
1. Tempemailgen
Tempemailgen makes it easy to generate temporary email addresses.
Fantastically, this free email generator gives customers a straightforward way to generate emails without entering their phone numbers.
No one can identify you in the emails sent by this tool. With this handy function, this free email generator truly shines.
2. Temp Mail
Get a temporary email account with Temp Mail, a service that will help you do so for free and for just 10 minutes.
Despite its restriction to email reception, this service is perfect for registering with websites that might otherwise send you spam.
Hit the "delete" button or let the temporary email expire once you use it.
3. EmailOnDeck.
Another excellent option for a short-term email service is EmailOnDeck.
Although the website does not specify the duration of each random email, it typically exceeds a day and certainly exceeds an hour. Emails may expire more quickly if you close your browser or delete cookies.
You can only send and receive emails with the free version. Still, you can simultaneously generate hundreds of anonymous emails with the paid version.
Anonymous Email Services: How to Create an Email Account Without a Phone Number
Tutanota
Known as the "world's most secure email service," Tutanota prioritizes user safety when providing email services.
Suppose you ever need to remember your Tutanota login information. In that case, you may avoid providing a phone number using the company's recovery code.
The account will not be associated with your online activity in this approach.
Regarding features, Tutanota provides intelligent filtering, custom domains, encrypted calendars, aliases, and full customization with a Whitelabel option for those who use the paid option.
Protonmail
ProtonMail is another reputable company that prioritizes security and allows you to create an email account without providing a phone number.
ProtonMail offers all the standard features, although its free accounts lack some.
Based in Switzerland, it adheres to stringent privacy protection rules. It has top-notch security features, including end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, anonymous email accounts, and more.
Mailfence
Mailfence has been around for quite some time, with its roots in the academic sector dating back to the 1990s.
The functionality and user interface are simple: groups, calendars, document storage, and messaging.
It may not have the most sleek design. Still, it more than makes up for it in safety features like end-to-end encryption, digitally signed emails, support for any OpenPGP service, and built-in key management.
Also, as Mailfence is a Belgian company, it must follow all of the rules regarding protecting user privacy.
Pros and Cons of Using Email Services Without a Phone Number
Pros
For the sake of privacy protection, we strongly recommend opting for email services that do not necessitate a phone number.
This choice not only shields your personal number but also preserves your privacy.
- Anonymity: If you want to maintain your anonymity, you can sign up for an email account without giving up your true identity.
- Flexibility: A phone number isn't required, so it's easy to use if you don't have one or don't want to.
- Reduced Tracking: Free email providers that do not request a phone number can keep your personal information to a minimum, reducing tracking.
Cons
- Account recovery: Not having a phone number linked to an email account may make it harder to log in if you forget your password.
- Limitations: Some free email services that don't need a phone number may limit how much space they can hold, how secure they are, or how much customer service they offer.
- Spam and abuse risk: Creating email accounts without verifying a phone number exposes you to spam, abuse, and other harmful activities that can negatively impact your email experience.
Conclusion
It is essential not to give your phone number to every site you sign up for because privacy and anonymity are becoming more critical.
While it's important to be cautious about sharing your phone number, it's also reassuring to know that obtaining an email account without divulging such private information is now a straightforward process.
Many websites offer email accounts without requiring your phone number. Tempemailgen is one of the providers that protects your privacy.
