You're standing there, staring at your screen, and Google is demanding a phone number. It feels like a digital shakedown. You just want an email address, but suddenly you're being asked to hand over your personal mobile digits like you're on a first date that's going way too fast. Honestly, it's frustrating. Most people think it’s a hard requirement, a brick wall you can't climb over. But that's not exactly true.
Creating a Google account without a phone number is actually possible, though Google doesn't exactly make it easy to find the "skip" button. They want your data. They want that two-factor authentication (2FA) link. Yet, for privacy-conscious users or people who simply don't have a reliable mobile signal, there are workarounds that still work in 2026.
The Reality of the Phone Verification Wall
Google’s official stance is that they require a phone number to "protect against bots." It makes sense from their perspective. If anyone could spin up ten thousand accounts in ten seconds, the internet would be a swamp of spam. However, this creates a massive hurdle for legitimate humans.
Sometimes you can bypass the prompt entirely. If you're lucky.
The "luck" factor usually depends on your IP address, your browser's "fingerprint," and how many accounts have been created from your location recently. If you’re at a coffee shop where fifty people created accounts this week, Google is going to be suspicious. They’ll demand a number. If you’re at home on a clean connection, you might see the holy grail of sign-up screens: the Optional field for the phone number.
Using the Mobile App Loophole
This is the most reliable trick in the book. For some reason, Google’s mobile operating systems (Android and iOS) are often more lenient than the desktop web browser version.
When you try to create a Google account through a desktop Chrome window, the AI-driven security systems are on high alert. They see a blank slate and they want verification. But when you go through the "Settings" menu on an iPhone or an Android device, the system often assumes you are the owner of that physical device.
Here is how it usually goes down:
- Open your phone settings.
- Find the "Accounts" or "Mail" section.
- Tap "Add Account" and select Google.
- Hit "Create Account" for myself.
Usually, when you get to the screen asking for a mobile number, there’s a small "Skip" button at the bottom left. Click it. If you don't see it, it means your device or IP has already been flagged as "high risk," and you might need to try a different method or wait a few days.
The "Under 15" Strategy (Use With Caution)
There is a weird quirk in Google's age-based privacy protections. In many jurisdictions, laws like COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) change how much data a company can demand from a minor.
If you set the birth year so the user is under 15, Google sometimes skips the phone verification because they aren't legally allowed to track that specific type of data for children without parental consent. However, this is a double-edged sword. If you do this, the account will likely be flagged for "Family Link" supervision, meaning you’ll need a "parent" account to manage it. It’s a bit of a headache, but if you’re desperate for a burner account and don't care about adult features, it’s an avenue.
Why Your Browser Is Snitching On You
Your browser is a snitch. It tells Google your screen resolution, your battery level, what plugins you have, and your location. When these bits of data look "generic" or like a bot, Google triggers the mandatory phone verification.
To increase your chances of being able to create a Google account without a phone number, you need to look like a real person. Real people have browsing histories. They have cookies.
If you open a brand-new Incognito window and immediately try to sign up, you're going to fail. Google sees a "clean" user and assumes it’s a bot. Instead, try using a browser you’ve used for a while. Let the cookies sit there. Then try the signup. It sounds counterintuitive because we’re taught that "private" mode is better, but for bypassing verification, being a "known" entity is actually an advantage.
Using a Virtual Number (The Professional Workaround)
If the skip button just isn't appearing, you might have to give them a number—it just doesn't have to be your number.
Now, be careful here. Most "free" SMS receive sites you find on page one of Google are blacklisted. Google knows those numbers. They’ve seen them ten thousand times. If you try to use a public "Receive SMS Online" number, you'll get an error saying "This number has been used too many times."
Instead, look at paid services that provide "Non-VoIP" numbers. Services like TextVerified or SmsPva provide real SIM-backed numbers for a few cents. Because these are actual mobile numbers and not virtual VoIP lines (like Google Voice or Skype), Google’s system usually accepts them. It’s a one-time cost for a one-time code.
The Risks of Temporary Numbers
- Account Recovery: If you lose your password, you can’t get that temporary number back. You're locked out.
- Security: If the service reuses that number later, someone else might try to trigger a password reset (though this is rare with paid services).
Setting Up "Recovery" Properly
If you successfully create the account without a phone number, your first mission—should you choose to accept it—is to set a recovery email. Immediately.
Without a phone number, the recovery email is your only lifeline. If you forget your password and don't have a recovery email set, that account is gone. Poof. Gone into the digital ether. Google's automated support is notoriously difficult to navigate for free accounts, so don't expect a human to help you get it back.
Is it worth the effort?
Honestly, Google is winning this war. Each year, the "Skip" button becomes harder to find. They are pushing toward a "Passkey" future where your physical device or your phone number is the core of your digital identity.
For many, the easiest way to create a Google account without a phone number is to simply find an old tablet or an old phone that hasn't been factory reset in a while. Connect to a friend's Wi-Fi. Try the setup there. Often, the change in environment and the "trusted" nature of an older device is enough to bypass the requirement.
Practical Steps to Take Now
If you are ready to try this, don't just jump in. Strategy matters.
Start by clearing your cache, but don't go full incognito. Use a mobile device if possible, specifically through the system settings rather than a browser app. If that fails, try a different internet connection—switching from Wi-Fi to cellular data can sometimes change how Google perceives your "risk score."
👉 See also: Gemini Space Station Incorporated: Why Private Space Infrastructure Is Harder Than It Looks
Once you get through, skip the phone entry, but do not skip the recovery email. Use a privacy-focused email provider like ProtonMail for your recovery address. This keeps your Google ecosystem separate from your personal identity while still giving you a way back into your account if things go sideways.
Check your security settings every few months. Google has a habit of "prompting" you to add a phone number every time you log in. Just keep hitting "Not now." It’s a persistent nudge, but as long as you have that recovery email verified, you’re in the clear.