Uber uses phone verification twice: at rider sign-up and again at driver onboarding. The rider flow accepts most real mobile-carrier numbers. The driver flow is much stricter and rejects almost every VoIP number.

Rider vs. driver: different rules

Rider: quick SMS check, works with SMSVerifyo numbers on all supported countries. Driver: requires a persistent phone tied to your background check. Most drivers cannot use a temporary number here — but the rider account can.

Rider sign-up with a virtual number

  1. Install Uber, enter your country and phone number.
  2. On SMSVerifyo filter Uber. Choose the same country as the app locale.
  3. Paste the number. Code arrives in 15–45s.

Which countries work

Uber accepts real mobile numbers from every country where Uber operates. Currently: US, UK, most EU, India, Brazil, Mexico. Check the live pricing dashboard for real availability.

Second account, sanctions, or travel

The two most common legitimate use cases:

  • Travel: You landed in a country where your SIM does not roam. Rent a local number for 20 minutes, sign up, use Uber.
  • Sanctions gap: Uber blocks new accounts from certain regions. A rental number in a supported country can bridge the gap.

Frequently asked questions

Will Uber ban my account?

Uber only cares about payment fraud and driver ratings. A virtual number is fine for rider accounts as long as the linked card and account behavior are legitimate.

Can I use it for Uber Eats?

Yes — same phone-verification flow.

Cost?

Uber rider verifications start at $0.20 depending on country.

What if the code does not arrive?

Automatic refund on expiry. Rent a fresh number in a different country and try again.