Create an Amazon Account Without Your Phone Number

Start with an email address

The first field on Amazon's create-account form accepts either a mobile number or an email. Enter an email address and Amazon sends the confirmation code there. For many shoppers that is the whole sign-up, with no phone involved.

When Amazon asks for a mobile number anyway

Amazon can add a phone step after the email, usually when it wants more confidence that a new account is genuine. It then texts a one-time code to the mobile number you enter. Two messages are common at this point:

• "Mobile number already in use": another Amazon account logs in with that number. A number can be the login for one account at a time.
• An invalid-number error: check that the country is United States (+1) and that you typed the 10 digits only.

Steps with a separate US number

1. Buy an Amazon verification. A US mobile number appears on your order page.
2. Enter the number on Amazon's phone step with the country set to United States (+1).
3. When Amazon texts the number, the code shows on your order page.
4. Enter the code. Full refund if the code never arrives.

What to do right after sign-up

• Make sure the account has an email address, so it has a login that you keep.
• If you turn on Two-Step Verification, choose an authenticator app. Text-message codes would go to the number on the account.
• When Amazon does not recognise a device, it can send a sign-in code to the phone or email on file. A one-time number can no longer receive that text.

When to use your own number

A seller account is a different case. Amazon checks identity documents and can call or text during reviews, so use a number you keep. The same goes for any account with stored payment methods that you rely on. If you want a separate number that stays yours, a number rental keeps one US number from 1 day to 1 year. Sellers running several storefronts can read SMS verification for dropshippers and marketplace sellers.

Related guides

• Non-VoIP US numbers for SMS verification
• VoIP vs non-VoIP numbers: why virtual lines get rejected
• Verification numbers for marketplaces