"I want a phone number while I'm abroad" or "I don't want to get stuck with SMS verification or calls" — when that's the situation, phone number apps (VoIP / virtual numbers) are worth considering. This article breaks down, in plain terms, how app-based numbers work and how to choose one by country and by purpose.
- Phone number apps let you easily hold a number for calls and SMS reception
- VoIP / virtual numbers are often rejected for SMS verification by banks, WhatsApp, and similar services
- Choose a number by its purpose, and pair it with a data-only eSIM for your internet connection — a practical combination
- For important SMS verifications, keeping your home-country mobile number active gives you peace of mind
- A data-only eSIM can't make number-based calls or send SMS, but app calls via WhatsApp and similar services still work fine
The short answer: phone number apps make it easy to hold "a number for calls and SMS reception," but they may be rejected for SMS verification by banks, government services, WhatsApp, Google, Apple ID, and the like. The practical approach is to choose a number based on what you'll use it for, and to cover your internet connection with a data-only eSIM. Supported countries, pricing, and SMS support can change, so always check the latest details on each app's official website or app store listing.
What is a phone number app (VoIP / virtual number)?
A phone number app gives you a number that runs over an internet connection (VoIP) rather than through a mobile carrier contract. As long as you have Wi-Fi or mobile data, you can often make and receive calls on that number even while abroad.
The advantage is that you can hold a number right inside an app, with no SIM swapping. The trade-off is that both calls and SMS depend on a data connection, so they won't work where there's no internet. That's the key difference from a fixed mobile-carrier number. If you'd like to understand whether an eSIM can handle numbers or SMS, see Can you use a phone number, SMS, or calls with an eSIM? as well.
How is an app number different from a mobile-carrier number?
The most common misunderstanding is that "a number that can receive SMS" and "a number that works for SMS verification" are two different things. Messages from friends usually arrive on an app number, but banks, brokerages, government processes, and some web services may not accept a VoIP / virtual number for verification.
- Mobile-carrier number: tends to pass for both calls and SMS verification. It requires a line contract, and abroad you'll want to watch costs and roaming conditions.
- App number (VoIP / virtual): easy and low-cost, and you can hold multiple numbers — but it depends on a data connection, and SMS verification may not work depending on how the service evaluates it.
If you want to receive SMS verification sent to your home-country number while abroad, it's reassuring to first review what is and isn't possible in How to receive home-country SMS verification while abroad and Can you do SMS verification on a data-only eSIM?
[Table] What phone number apps can and can't do
| What you want to do | App number, roughly | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calls with friends and family | ◯ Usually possible | The other party uses the app, or you call their number. A data connection is required |
| Receiving SMS from friends | ◯ Often works | Whether it works varies by number and country |
| SMS verification for WhatsApp / Google / Apple ID | △ May not work | VoIP / virtual numbers can be rejected. Check in advance |
| SMS verification for banks, brokerages, government | × Often doesn't work | High-stakes use. A mobile-carrier number is the safer bet |
| Internet access (maps, social, bookings) | × Not possible with a number app alone | You'll need data (eSIM) separately |
| WhatsApp / Instagram / app calls | ◯ Possible with data | This is the job of your internet connection, not the number app |
* What works depends on the app, number type, country, and the service you're connecting to, and it may change (as of June 2026). Check the latest details on each app's official site or app store listing.
How to choose by country and by purpose
Which app suits you depends on "which country's number you want" and "what you'll use it for." Here are the common directions to consider (please confirm specific pricing and availability in the current store listings).
| Number you want | Commonly mentioned apps | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (050) | My050 (SMARTalk family), etc. | Calls to Japan during long stays, keeping a Japan-style number |
| Canada | Fongo, etc. | Studying abroad, staying in touch with local friends or roommates |
| US / UK | Hushed / MySudo / TextNow, etc. | A short-term local number, or separating numbers by purpose |
If you'd like to organize your connectivity and number setup before studying abroad, For students: how to choose a phone number app to use abroad goes into specifics. Note that each app's supported countries, pricing, and SMS support get updated, so check the latest information on the official website or app store before signing up.
When an app is enough, and when you need a local SIM or a number-included plan
The deciding factors are simple.
- An app is likely enough when: staying in touch with friends and family is your main goal / app calls (WhatsApp, etc.) are the main use / you occasionally want to call to or from your home country.
- A local SIM or number-included plan suits you when: SMS verification for banks, government, or identity checks is essential / you need to reliably receive automated voice or SMS from local companies / you want a number that works even when your connection is unstable.
Anything involving SMS verification is a high-stakes use whose outcome depends on each service's own judgment. For important verifications, it's reassuring to prepare before you depart — including ways to keep your home-country mobile number active or to use a number-included plan.
Pairing Bloomy (data) with a phone number app
Bloomy eSIM is essentially data-only: it doesn't come with a phone number or a number for SMS verification (no phone number, no SMS, no carrier calling). On the other hand, with a data connection you can use app calls and messaging such as WhatsApp and Instagram. So the practical move is to split the roles and combine them like this.
- Internet connection: cover it with an eSIM plan for your destination (maps, social, bookings, app calls).
- When you need a number: add a phone number app (VoIP / virtual). Since that app's calls and SMS also run over data, the eSIM is the foundation.
- Important SMS verification: assume it may be rejected, and keep your home-country mobile number or another number-capable option as a backup.
* Bloomy plans are data-only (no phone number, no SMS, no carrier calls) and are subject to a fair use policy. Connection quality varies with the local network, your device, and the area. Pricing is shown in USD; please confirm the current price at the time of purchase.
If you'd like to find a plan by destination, data amount, and number of days, the comparison page lets you choose by country, capacity, and trip length. For a wider view of all your connectivity options, see our pillar article, Comparing connectivity abroad (eSIM, SIM, Wi-Fi, number apps).
What to check before you sign up
- The supported countries for the number you want, and the app's availability in your region (whether you can get it in your local store).
- SMS verification support: whether the service you want to use (bank, messaging apps, etc.) will accept it (and prepare a backup, assuming it won't).
- Pricing structure: whether there's a number-maintenance fee or per-call/SMS charges (confirm the latest on the official site).
- Cancellation and number expiration terms. A number may be lost if it goes unused for a certain period.
For basic questions about eSIMs, you can also check our FAQ and the phone number & SMS guide index.
