Glossary
Verification terms, explained
The words you’ll run into when an app asks for your phone — in one or two sentences each.
- 2FA (two-factor authentication)
- Logging in with something you know (a password) plus something you have (a code from your phone or an app).
- Authenticator app
- An app that generates login codes on your device, so nothing has to arrive by SMS.
- Carrier
- The mobile network that owns a phone number and delivers its texts.
- Country code
- The prefix that tells the world which country a number belongs to, like +1 or +44.
- Data broker
- A company that collects and sells personal details, often linked by your phone number.
- eSIM
- A digital SIM built into your phone that lets you add a line without a plastic card.
- Mobile number
- A number tied to a carrier SIM. Apps trust these more than VoIP numbers.
- OTP (one-time password)
- A short code that works once, usually for a few minutes — the thing you’re here to receive.
- Passkey
- A login method that replaces passwords with a key stored on your device. Can’t be phished or sent by SMS.
- Reservation
- The 20 minutes a number stays yours after you buy it.
- Short code
- A 5–6 digit sender many services use for codes. Most of our numbers receive them.
- SIM swap
- An attack where someone convinces your carrier to move your number to their SIM, then receives your codes.
- Single-use number
- A number meant for one verification, closed afterwards.
- VoIP number
- A number that lives on an internet phone service. Cheap to create, so many apps block it.