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Airbnb has made finding a cute Paris apartment or a beachfront Bali villa way too easy — click, book, done. But there’s that one little speed bump during sign-up:
“Enter your phone number to continue.”
Honestly… annoying. Maybe you’re traveling without a SIM, don’t want another company holding your number, or just aren’t ready to deal with verification texts.
Here’s the good news — you can get around it, at least when setting up your account. And if Airbnb without a phone curveball at you later, there are ways to handle that too.
Can You Create an Airbnb Account Without a Phone Number?
Yup. At least at the start. Airbnb gives you a few sign-up routes that don’t immediately force the phone number thing:
- Email (probably the easiest if you want to dodge the number)
- Google account login
- Apple ID sign-in
- Region-specific logins like Naver (if you’re in South Korea)
If you go this route, you can usually skip the phone box — but fair warning — Airbnb might still ask later.
Why? Because they love:
- Confirming you’re a real person (scammers ruin it for everyone)
- Making hosts feel safer
- Being able to text you if something urgent happens
So yeah… it’s not a forever loophole — more like a temporary hack.
Step-by-Step: The Phone-Free Sign-Up
Here’s how I’ve done it before without handing over my number:
- Go to Airbnb.com (desktop usually works better for this than the app).
- Click Sign Up in the top-right.
- Pick Continue with Email, Google, or Apple.
- Fill in your info — name, email, birthday, and password. If you use Google or Apple, some of this will be pulled in automatically.
- Verify your email — Airbnb sends a link, click it, and boom, account made.
- When it asks for a phone number, look for “Skip” or “Do this later.” (It’s not always obvious — sometimes you have to scroll.)
Pro tips from trial and error:
- Web version > app (the app loves forcing phone entry early).
- Finish your profile in one go; pausing can trigger extra verification.
- Stick to the same login method (don’t swap from email to Google mid-way).
You’ll be able to browse listings, save favorites, and daydream. But once you try to book? That’s where the phone request usually sneaks back in.
What If Airbnb Hits You with Phone Verification Later?
So you’re ready to lock in that dreamy Lisbon loft… and boom — “Confirm your phone number” pops up.
Here’s what’s happening:
- Certain bookings, hosting actions, or ID checks make phone verification mandatory.
- They’ll send you a one-time code (OTP) via SMS.
- No number = no booking completion.
If you don’t have a SIM handy, here’s the move:
- Grab a temporary or rental virtual number from PVAPins.com — pick a country, rent the number, and get the OTP in seconds.
- Message Airbnb Support and explain your situation. Sometimes they’ll verify through email or ID upload instead (rare, but it happens).
Heads-up: Some countries’ ID checks require a locally registered number. In those cases, there’s no magic workaround.
Your Backup Options (a.k.a. “Plan B”)
If Airbnb’s dead-set on having a phone number, you’ve still got choices:
Virtual Phone Numbers
PVAPins is my go-to — covers 200+ countries, instant OTP delivery, and keeps your real number safe.
Disposable Numbers
Burner apps work sometimes, but Airbnb can be picky and block VOIP.
Ask Airbnb for an Exception
Tell them you’re traveling, between numbers, or using a work device. Won’t always work, but worth a try.
Risk note:
- Some numbers just don’t work for Airbnb.
- Delays in getting the OTP could cost you the booking.
- Don’t abuse the system — you can get your account flagged.
Virtual Phone Numbers
PVAPins is my go-to — covers 200+ countries, instant OTP delivery, and keeps your real number safe. It works for Airbnb, Temu, and pretty much any platform that asks for SMS verification. If you’re curious, I’ve even written a full guide on how to sign up for Temu without a phone number.
Pros & Cons of Skipping the Number
Pros:
- Privacy win — no spam or random calls.
- Works fine for browsing, wish-listing, and exploring.
- Great for travelers without a local SIM.
Cons:
- No bookings until you eventually verify.
- Hosts might be less trusting.
- If something urgent happens, Airbnb can’t text you.
Quick Fixes If the Phone Prompt Won’t Go Away
- Clear browser cache or switch to incognito.
- Try a different browser or device.
- Don’t make multiple accounts from the same IP — Airbnb will catch that.
- Stuck? Just hit up Airbnb Help Center.
Bottom line? You can dodge giving Airbnb your number… at least for now. But the second you want to book something, they might make you cough it up. If privacy’s your main concern, a virtual number from PVAPins is the smoothest way to keep your personal SIM out of it.
FAQs: Signing Up for Airbnb Without a Phone Number
Can I create an Airbnb account without verifying with a phone?
You can sign up via email, Google, or Apple without a phone. Verification may still be required for bookings.
How can I sign up for Airbnb without a phone number?
Choose “Continue with Email,” Google, or Apple during registration and skip the phone field.
Will Airbnb block me if I don’t provide a phone number?
Not for browsing or saving listings, but you won’t be able to book without verification.
Can I use a virtual or temporary number to sign up for Airbnb?
Yes — services like PVAPins can provide an OTP-ready number instantly.
What should I do if Airbnb asks for phone verification but I don’t have a phone?
Use a virtual number service or contact Airbnb Support for alternative verification.
Do hosts see my phone number?
Only after a booking is confirmed — you can control your contact preferences.
Is it against Airbnb’s rules to use a virtual number?
Not explicitly, but Airbnb may reject numbers that fail their SMS system.