Blacktel Guides and Tutorials

Practical help for setting up virtual numbers, using calls and messages, and managing your Blacktel account.

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Set up your phone, choose a number and learn how to use it.

How to start my virtual phone?

The first steps with your virtual phone. Read our tutorial on how to start your own virtual phone on Blacktel.io

Globe and country search for virtual phone numbers.

Get phone number

How to get phone numbers from countries all over the world. Use virtual phone number for voice, text and fax within Blacktel

Phone, message and fax tools connected to a smartphone.

Calls, SMS & Fax

Learn how to use our service for Calls, SMS and Fax with your virtual phone

All guides

Virtual numbers

Virtual phone numbers connected around a globe.

All about virtual numbers

Virtual numbers can be used with your virtual phone for calls, messages and fax

Personal phone and desk telephone connected to a virtual phone.

Integrate my own devices

You can integrate your own devices to Blacktel to send SMS and make phone calls

WhatsApp, a virtual number and an incoming verification message.

Virtual number for Whatsapp

How to verify WhatsApp with a virtual number using Blacktel virtual phone

Telegram, a virtual number and an incoming verification message.

Telegram code with virtual number

Receive a Telegram code with a virtual number for your verification

WhatsApp messaging, a business briefcase and customer conversations.

Virtual Number for WhatsApp Business

Create a WhatsApp Business account with your Blacktel

Identity document, address and document review beside a phone.

Phone number regulatory

Create bundles to use phone numbers compliantly in many countries of the world

A virtual number connected to voice, messaging and fax capabilities.

Services for virtual phone number

Blacktel phone numbers come with different capabilities enabled

Get phone number

How to get phone numbers from countries all over the world. Use virtual phone number for voice, text and fax within Blacktel

Phone-number card returning from an archive beside a clock.

Revive deleted phone number

Blacktel will reserve your deleted number for 7 days in case you need it back

Primary phone number connected to a protected fallback number.

Free phone number as fallback

Buy one of our US, UK or CA phone numbers and get another number completely free as your fallback number

Separate personal and business number cards on one phone.

Second Phone Number

Buy a second number online and use it for Tinder, Facebook, Google and online services

Virtual phone number, digital wallet, Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Buy phone number with crypto

Buy second phone numbers with crypto like Bitcoin, Ether, Monero, Cardano

Phone-number selection beside a shopping bag and smartphone.

Buy phone number

Buy phone numbers from countries like USA, United Kingdom, Canada for online sms verification

A shared message inbox beside a private inbox protected by a shield and key.

Free virtual numbers vs private numbers

Compare free shared phone numbers and private virtual numbers. Learn how inbox access, number ownership, costs and everyday use differ.

A phone number card branching towards an hourglass and a calendar with a renewal arrow.

Temporary vs permanent virtual phone numbers

Compare temporary and long-term virtual phone numbers. Understand rental periods, renewal and keeping access to your number and linked accounts.

An eSIM chip with a data globe beside a browser phone with call and message symbols.

eSIM vs virtual phone number: calls, SMS and data

Understand the difference between an eSIM and a virtual phone number. Compare mobile data, online calling, SMS and using both while traveling.

A phone and browser beside a Japanese flag, city shapes and an address document.

Japanese phone numbers: using a number from abroad

Understand Japanese phone numbers, +81 formatting, local and mobile types, activation requirements and using an eligible virtual number from abroad.

A phone and browser beside a German flag, city shapes and an address document.

German phone numbers: using a number from abroad

Learn German +49 phone number formatting, local and mobile differences, activation requirements and using an eligible virtual number from abroad.

A telephone cloud connected to a browser phone, desk phone and mobile phone.

What is a VoIP number? VoIP vs non-VoIP explained

Understand VoIP, non-VoIP and virtual phone numbers. Compare how calls connect, which features to check and what number classification actually tells you.

A storefront beside a map pin and a business contact card with a phone symbol.

How to add a business phone number to Google Maps

Add or update your business phone number on Google Maps through Business Profile. Understand contact-number rules, review and available verification methods.

A central business telephone with a payment coin receiving calls from two smaller phones.

Toll-free numbers: who pays, and do they work abroad?

Understand toll-free phone numbers, business charges and international access. Compare toll-free and local numbers before choosing your business contact.

A private cloud phone beside a password lock, backup key and two-step path.

Virtual phone numbers for 2FA: choosing and keeping your number

Choose a virtual phone number for two-factor authentication. Check SMS or call support, keep the number active and prepare backup access for your accounts.

One phone with two call cards beside a browser phone, Wi-Fi and a separate SIM card.

How to use a second phone number without another SIM card

Use a second phone number through an app or browser without adding another SIM. Set up calls and SMS, choose features and understand how it works.

A freelance desk with a briefcase, notebook and phone displaying two separate call cards.

Set up a second number for work and personal calls

Create a separate work contact with a second phone number. Choose calls and SMS, set call handling and keep your personal number for personal contacts.

A number card with a reassignment arrow and separate old and new contact cards divided by a privacy lock.

Phone number already in use? Understanding recycled numbers

Understand why a new number may already appear in an account service. Learn about reassigned numbers, previous registrations and appropriate next steps.

General

How to start my virtual phone?

The first steps with your virtual phone. Read our tutorial on how to start your own virtual phone on Blacktel.io

Calls, SMS & Fax

Learn how to use our service for Calls, SMS and Fax with your virtual phone

Matching phone interfaces on a laptop and smartphone.

Web vs App

Use the Blacktel as App for iOS and Android or within your web browser

Phone connection and settings examined with a magnifying glass.

Troubleshooting

Prevent common mistakes and learn how to use Blacktel as best

One virtual phone number across a phone, tablet and computer.

Using Blacktel on multiple devices

Running Blacktel virtual phone on multiple devices such as iOS, Android, Browser or Desktop

Phone, message and fax tools beside an open gift box.

Free Phone

Use Blacktel as your daily phone for free calls, free text messages and as free fax.

A phone data gauge beside map, music and video symbols with a travel calendar.

How much mobile data do you need for a week or two abroad?

Plan your travel eSIM data for 7 or 14 days. Compare example daily budgets, check your own usage and allow for maps, video, uploads and hotspot sharing.

A phone connected to an eSIM and a traditional SIM beside a globe and two plan cards.

Travel eSIM vs roaming: which should you choose?

Compare a travel eSIM with your home carrier's roaming plan. Check total cost, coverage, data, validity and how to keep your usual number active abroad.

An address book beside a plus symbol and three groups of number dots with a globe.

International phone number format: +, country codes and E.164

Write phone numbers in international format. Understand the plus sign, country codes, national prefixes and E.164, including when a leading zero stays.

One phone with a green chat bubble beside an eSIM, globe and travel airplane.

Keep your WhatsApp number when using a travel eSIM

Use WhatsApp with a travel eSIM while keeping your existing number. Choose the data connection and prepare for any future account verification.

A phone with a padlock beside an eSIM chip and a separate physical key.

Can you use a travel eSIM on a locked phone?

Check whether your phone can use a travel eSIM. Separate eSIM hardware support from carrier locking and learn the official unlocking checks before buying.

A globe and airplane beside a phone with separate message and eSIM data lines.

How to receive verification codes abroad with a travel eSIM

Keep receiving account verification codes while travelling. Separate your registered phone number from travel eSIM data and prepare backup access.

A phone and Wi-Fi, calendar and airplane, then a destination globe and eSIM chip.

When should you install and activate a travel eSIM?

Plan when to install and activate your travel eSIM. Check when validity starts, prepare before departure and connect with the right settings on arrival.

Account

Levels

Update your user level and get higher quota and more features

A phone with a yellow chat bubble beside an incoming message, handset and sign-in key.

Bumble SMS verification and changing your phone number

Understand Bumble phone verification, SMS and call options, changing your number and keeping account access with an additional login method.

Chat bubbles and a cloud archive moving between two phone number cards beside a key.

Change your WhatsApp or Telegram number and keep access

Prepare to change your WhatsApp or Telegram number. Follow each app's number-change process, protect chats and update access before releasing the old number.

Billing

Prepaid and subscription plan cards beside a wallet and calendar.

Pricing And Plans

Learn more about our pricing as well as our prepaid and subscription plans

Payment card, calendar and recurring-payment arrows.

Payment Subscriptions

Learn more about payment subscriptions (auto recurring payments) with Paypal, Apple and Google IN-APP subscription or Card

Features

Phone connected to call forwarding, voicemail and recording.

Using features like forwarding and mailbox

Add different features to your virtual phone, such as call forwarding, auto record or a mailbox

A text message arriving from a phone number card in a private browser inbox.

How to receive SMS online with your own number

Receive SMS online in your private Blacktel inbox. Choose an SMS-enabled virtual number, open incoming messages and manage ongoing access.

A browser phone and headset connected to a mobile handset.

How to call a mobile phone from your computer

Make phone calls from your computer with Blacktel. Set up your microphone, enter international numbers and compare free and private-number calls.

A laptop composing a text message connected to a phone with reply bubbles.

How to send text messages from a computer

Send SMS text messages from your computer with Blacktel. Choose a sender, enter an international recipient and find replies in your online inbox.

Three message cards showing plain text, a picture and a rich conversation with typing dots.

SMS vs MMS vs RCS: what is the difference?

Compare SMS, MMS and RCS messaging. Learn how text, pictures, chat features and online SMS inboxes differ before choosing a phone number.

A phone with an eSIM and Wi-Fi signal sharing internet with a laptop and tablet.

Can you use an eSIM as a hotspot for your laptop?

Share an eSIM data connection with a laptop or tablet. Check hotspot support, choose the data line and understand how tethering uses your allowance.

A phone inbox, message envelope, magnifying glass, clock and blank checklist.

SMS verification code not received: what to check

Missing an SMS verification code? Check the number, SMS support, online inbox and resend timer, then choose the right next step for your account.

A phone handset with sound waves beside a browser keypad and a small lock.

Phone-call verification: how to receive your code

Receive a verification code by phone call when the service offers it. Check incoming calls, answer live and follow spoken or keypad instructions.

eSIM QR code not working or already used: next steps

Troubleshoot an eSIM QR code without deleting a working profile. Check installation, connectivity, manual details and the right support information.

Two envelopes with short and long groups of digit dots beside a globe and network paths.

Short-code SMS and virtual numbers explained

Understand short-code SMS, country-specific routing and virtual-number inboxes. Learn what to check when ordinary texts arrive but a verification code does not.

Contact Blacktel Support

Still need help? Contact Blacktel or, when signed in, review your tickets and submit a support request.

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