How to create an email without a phone number: Your 2026 guide

With the rise in spam and concerns about data protection, people are looking for alternatives to traditional Google accounts.

That leads us to how to create an email account without a phone number. This guide covers alternative email providers, virtual phone numbers for use with Google, and security tips.

This guide also covers how  Holafly eSIM can help with email verification while traveling, using a virtual phone number included with the subscription.

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Receive verification codes and create an account without using your real phone number.

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Why create an email without a phone number?

Creating an email account without a phone number has several benefits in an era of common security breaches:

• Privacy protection and data security: In the event of a security breach, your phone number and other personal information will remain safe. This can help protect your phone number from cloning or unauthorized access codes.
• Avoid spam or unauthorized phone calls: If your phone number is leaked due to a security breach, you can avoid receiving spam or unsolicited calls from scammers, companies, or marketing calls.
• Convenience for travelers and digital nomads: If you are abroad and need to create or verify an account, using a virtual number avoids the need to receive SMS codes on your primary number, which may incur international roaming charges. 
• Managing multiple accounts: You can create multiple accounts for work, personal, or financial reasons without a phone number attached, which means extra security for you.

Options for creating an email without a phone number

Creating a Gmail account without a phone number is complicated, as they require a phone number to validate your account.

However, some email providers don’t require phone verification, such as ProtonMail and Tutanota, so let’s see how they work.

Email providers that don’t require phone verification

With ProtonMail, you can create an email account without a phone number with any of their three plans. 

Here’s how you do it:

1. Go to the “ProtonMail” website and click “Create account.”
2. Choose the “Proton Free” option and tap “Get Proton for Free.”
3. Enter your preferred username and a valid password. 
4. Choose between “@proton.me” and “@protonmail.com” options.
5. Complete the mandatory captcha and start using your account.

Tuta Mail is another option that offers paid email accounts with better services, but you can also create a free account.

Here’s how you do it:

Tutanota – Numbered steps:

1. Go to the “Tuta” website.
2. Click on “Sign up” and select the “Free” option.
3. Press “Continue” and enter your preferred email address and a valid password. You can choose from six different email prefixes when creating your account.
4. Store your recovery kit codes. You can save these as a PDF and replace phone numbers for security.

Using a virtual number for email verification

If you prefer to use Gmail to access the G-Suite services, or because it’s required in your work, you can complete the verification using a virtual phone number.

1. Choose a virtual phone number service or an eSIM provider that includes one, such as Holafly’s monthly eSIM subscription.
2. Go to Google and enter your account details.
3. When you reach the number verification, scan the QR code and wait a few seconds.
4. Upon verification, your account will be created, and you can add additional security measures, such as 2FA or a different recovery email address.

Tip: You can use this method to create a WhatsApp account without a phone number.

Using an eSIM for added privacy and international access

If you prefer to use Google, Outlook, or Yahoo, you will need a phone number to complete the registration process.

But you can use a virtual phone number to create the account; no need to use your personal number. 

With Holafly, you can get one by following these steps:

1. Check if you have an eSIM-compatible phone
2. Head over to Holafly Plans and choose the Unlimited Plan
3. Complete the purchase and activate your eSIM using the QR code.
4. When activated, visit Google and complete the registration process to create the account with a virtual phone number.

How to manage your email account without a phone number

Once you send an email without a phone number, you have several options to avoid security and access issues.

Set up email recovery options

Once your email account is created, you can add recovery options by doing the following:

1. Go to your account settings.
2. Find the “Security” menu.
3. Set a different email address and security questions as your recovery options.
4. You can add your phone as a recovery method, but keep it as a tertiary option.

Enable two-factor authentication without SMS

Instead of adding a phone number for two-factor authentication, use an authenticator app.

Here’s how you add it to your account:

1. Go to your email security settings.
2. Look for the “Authentication” option.
3. Open Google Authenticator or Authy and scan the QR code.
4. Enter the authentication app in the security settings to complete linking both accounts.

Keep your account secure

Aside from 2FA and recovery emails, you can keep your email account safe with some best practices, such as:

• Use a strong, unique password with a combination of characters (numbers and letters).
• Avoid using public WiFi connections without a VPN, as your account can be hacked.
• Pay attention to security emails from your email provider about security leaks or possible unauthorized access.
• Update your password regularly, especially if someone else is trying to access it.

Alternatives to email for users without a phone number

Now that you know how to create a free email without a phone number, you can consider other alternatives to use daily.

• Secure messaging apps: Apps like Signal offer strong security, including end-to-end encryption that keeps all communications safe, and work with a virtual phone number if required.
• Temporary/disposable email services: You can use apps like Temp Mail or Guerrilla Mail to get a disposable email address without needing a phone number.
• Business communication platforms: Platforms such as Teams and Slack offer high-end security for communication and don’t require a phone number to work, but they’re mostly limited to work-related environments.

If you still need to use a service like Google, Yahoo, or Outlook, Holafly Plans is a great call.

Get the Unlimited Plan, install the eSIM on your phone, and complete any required verification using the virtual phone number.

On top of that, you get Always On, which gives you 1 GB of backup data each month to keep you connected no matter the situation.

Get a virtual phone number

Receive verification codes and create an account without using your real phone number.

Get an eSIM

Frequently asked questions about email without a phone number

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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