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📬 Free public SMS inbox

Free Phone Numbers to Receive SMS Online

SMS Duo runs a free public SMS inbox: a small pool of shared phone numbers in the US, UK, Hong Kong and other countries that anyone can use to receive a text message online, with no account and no payment.

Because the numbers are shared, every message is public. Use them for quick tests, not for accounts you care about.

Open the free inbox →Get a private number →

What the free public inbox is

The free inbox is a page inside the SMS Duo web app that lists public phone numbers and shows the latest messages they receive. You copy a number, type it into the app or website that should send you a code, and then read the SMS in the public feed. Nothing is installed and you do not need to sign up.

It is the same idea as other "receive SMS online free" sites, with one honest difference: we tell you clearly what these numbers are good for and when you need a private number instead.

⚠️ Free numbers are public: anyone can open the inbox and read every message sent to them. Never use them for banking, payments, email, crypto wallets or account recovery.

Free numbers right now

Loading the current public numbers…

The list comes live from the free inbox and changes as numbers are added or retired. Message contents are only shown inside the inbox.

Open the free inbox →

How to receive an SMS for free (3 steps)

Copy a number

Pick a country in the free inbox and copy one of the public numbers, including the country code.

Request the code

Enter the number in the app or website with the right country code (for example +1 for the US, +44 for the UK) and ask it to send the SMS.

Read it in the inbox

Open the free inbox. The "Latest SMS" feed refreshes about every 30 seconds and shows the newest messages across all public numbers, so find yours by the receiving number.

What free numbers are good for — and not good for

Good for

Trying out an app or website before you give it your real number.
Low-risk sign-ups you do not plan to keep.
Testing whether an SMS sender delivers to a US, UK or Hong Kong number.

Not good for

Accounts you want to keep: whoever uses the number next can request a new code.
Banking, payments, email, crypto and anything with money or personal data.
Apps that block shared or reused numbers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Google often do — see free Telegram number? and free WhatsApp number?

Free number vs private number

	Free public number	SMS Duo private number
Cost	Free	Paid per use (pricing)
Who can read the SMS	Everyone who opens the inbox	Only you, in your dashboard
Accepted by strict apps	Low	Higher (depends on the app and carrier)
Reuse	Shared with everyone	Assigned to your order for the session
Support	None	Order support
No SMS arrived?	Try another number	Free 15-minute extension on eligible orders

If you only need to see a code once and nobody else matters, the free inbox is fine. If the account matters, a private online SMS number or a temporary private number is the safer choice.

Countries

The public pool usually includes numbers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia and Indonesia. The exact list changes, so check the live list above. For private numbers by country, see the guides below.

FAQ

Is it really free?

Yes, for the public numbers: no account and no payment. Private numbers are paid per use.

Who can see the SMS?

Everyone who opens the free inbox. Treat every message sent to a public number as public.

Why didn't my code arrive?

The app may block shared numbers, the number may already be registered with that app, or the message is delayed. Try another number, or use a private number.

Can I use a free number for Telegram or WhatsApp?

It rarely works: both apps often reject shared numbers or send the code elsewhere. Our Telegram and WhatsApp guides explain why and what works instead.

Do I need an account?

No for the free inbox. You need an account only to buy a private number.

Receive an SMS now

Use a free public number for a quick test, or get a private number when the account matters.