There are many email services these days, but one that people mostly use is Gmail. Gmail is by far the best email service I have used, and it’s known for its simplicity.

Gmail also provides essential security features to safeguard our email accounts. One of those security features is a 2-step verification that prevents unauthorized access to your account.

However, lately, users have been getting an error message that reads, ‘This phone number cannot be used for verification.’ The error message appears while verifying the phone number on the account or while enabling 2-step verification.

Why does the error appears?

The ‘This phone number can’t be used for verification’ error message on Gmail usually appears when you try to make a new account with an overused phone number.

It’s possible that the phone number you’re using has been used too many times already, either by yourself or any other users.

You may even unknowingly use a recycled phone number previously used for Google account verification.

On the other hand, if you get a similar error message while enabling the 2-step verification on your Gmail account, it could mean that the phone number is already used for this purpose on another account.

Why Google Needs to Verify Your Account?

Google needs to verify your account to protect you from abuse. It will ask you to prove you’re not a robot by adding an active phone number.

To verify your account, you will need a mobile device. Google will send you the verification code via text message or voice call.

While verifying your account, you may face problems like your phone not receiving text messages or calls. These problems are normal and are often a result of bad network connectivity.

Possible Ways to Fix ‘This Phone Number Cannot be Used for Verification’

If you find this error while creating a new account or adding a phone number to your existing account, you will simply have to use a different phone number.

Also, it’s essential to note down a few things before you plan to use a different phone number for verification.

• Google Limits the number of accounts each phone number can create.
• You can use our family member’s phone number for verification.
• Google Can blacklist your phone number if suspected of spam.
• To protect you from abuse, Google also limits the number of times a number can be used for verification.

1. Try Using Your Secondary Phone Number

If you’ve just encountered this error message and you have a secondary phone number, it’s worth trying that one instead for verification.

Your secondary phone number may not have been used as frequently for account creation or verification, reducing the chances of triggering the security limits.

Before you add your secondary phone number, make sure that it is active and can receive text messages or calls.

2. Use Your Family Member’s Phone Number

Google allows you to use a family member’s phone number for account verification. So, if you can’t get past the verification screen, even while using your secondary phone number, you can consider using a family member’s phone number.

However, be sure to inform your family members that their phone numbers will be linked to your account so they can pass you the verification codes.

3. Avoid using the VPN or Proxy apps

Google is asking you to verify your account because it has already flagged your connection as suspicious.

The primary role of a VPN or Proxy app is to mask your identity by assigning your device a different location. This makes Google believe that your connection is fraudulent, leading to account bans or verification prompts.

So, it’s best to avoid using VPN or Proxy apps while using Gmail or creating a new account.

4. Wait it out

If you have patience, you can wait for a few days before trying to verify your account again. Sometimes, Google temporarily blocks phone numbers from being used as verification.

These are called shadow bans, and they are usually lifted within a few days or weeks. So, you could wait a few days and then try using your primary or secondary phone number for verification.

Another benefit is that if Gmail is experiencing any problem, it will possibly be fixed within a few days.

5. Get a Virtual Phone Number

Virtual phone number services are another option if you can afford them. You need to get a virtual phone number from any of the available services.

These services provide you with a temporary phone number that can be used for receiving verification codes. One advantage of using Virtual Phone number services is that you can generate a phone number with any country code.

However, when choosing a virtual phone number service, be careful of which service you pick. Make sure to go with a reputable option so that you can be assured that the number you get isn’t already flagged by Google.

These are the few best things you can do to get rid of the ‘This Phone Number Cannot be used for verification’ error on Gmail. If you need more help on this topic, please discuss it with us in the comments.