When you want to register for Telegram but are worried about leaking your privacy using a real phone number, you need a virtual number.
However, Google Voice (GV) is too difficult to set up, so you need a simple way, which is to use TextNow.
Registering for TextNow is not very demanding, and anyone with basic skills can succeed.
Prerequisites#
- For iOS phones: You need a non-Chinese region Apple account to download the TextNow app.
- A VPN: It is recommended to use freewhales, as it includes direct connections to the United States. Without being in the United States or Canada, you cannot register for TextNow.
Registration Process#
- First, download the TextNow app on your phone.
- Open the VPN and switch to a U.S. location.
- Open TextNow and choose to log in with Google or Apple account.
- After logging in, do not allow access to your location information.
- Manually enter an area code, you can use 417 or 479, as most others may not be available.
- Then select a phone number.
Number Retention Method#
The best way to automatically retain your TextNow number is to subscribe to advertisements using the assigned U.S. phone number, and you will receive advertisement messages every week, ensuring automatic retention:
First method: Send "auto" to "67135", then reply "Y" to subscribe to advertisement messages. You will receive 4 Autozone (an automotive parts brand) advertisement messages every week. To unsubscribe in the future, you can send "2".
Second method: Send a message to: 555444, with the content: signup, to complete the subscription.
Third method: Send a message to: 22122, with the content: join, to complete the subscription.