How to Create an Email Without Phone Number – And Why You Need It
These days, with digital surveillance and data collection growing all the time, privacy is a must. One of the things people often forget when they're trying to stay anonymous online is their email address. You might not realise it, but your email is often the main identifier linked to your digital identity. And when you create one using your phone number, you're basically linking that identity to your real-world persona.
If you're wondering how to create an email without a phone number and why it's a critical privacy measure, this guide will walk you through the technical and practical aspects.
Why You Should Avoid Linking Your Phone Number to Your Email
Creating an email account typically involves providing a phone number for verification. This is often justified by the need to prevent spam, secure your account, or assist in account recovery. While those reasons are valid in some contexts, they introduce several significant privacy concerns:
1. Phone Numbers Are Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Your phone number is one of the most persistent and traceable forms of identification. It's often linked to financial records, government databases, and social media profiles. Once it's connected to your email, your privacy is immediately compromised.
2. Mass Surveillance and Data Harvesting
Big tech companies aggregate your phone number with other behavioral data to build comprehensive user profiles. That information is often used for ad targeting or, worse, sold to third parties.
For instance, Facebook once used phone numbers submitted for two-factor authentication to serve targeted ads.
3. Phone Number Spoofing and SIM Swapping
Linking your phone number to sensitive accounts makes you a potential victim of SIM swapping attacks -- where attackers trick your carrier into porting your number to a new SIM card, gaining access to everything from your email to your cryptocurrency wallets.
Can You Really Create an Email Without Phone Number Nowadays?
Yes, but it requires a bit more effort and awareness. Most mainstream email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook now require a phone number during registration. However, there are ways to bypass this and services designed specifically for users who value privacy.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create an Email Without Phone Number
Below are several methods you can use to create an email without phone number, depending on your security needs and technical comfort level.
✅ 1. Use Privacy-Focused Email Providers
Several email providers were designed with anonymity and privacy in mind. These services allow you to create an email without phone number or any personal information at signup.
Here are the best ones:
🔐 Atomic Mail
Zero-access encryption and seed phrase account recovery.
No phone number or personal details at signup.
Generous free plan with a lot of advanced features.
Ideal for activists, journalists, and cybersecurity professionals.
💣 Mailfence
Does not require a phone number if you sign up.
OpenPGP-based encryption and digital signatures.
Built-in calendar.
✅ 2. Use Temporary Email Services (With Caution)
Temporary email providers like Guerrilla Mail or 10 Minute Mail allow you to receive emails without any signup. These are useful for testing or one-time use, but not suitable for long-term privacy.
Reasons to avoid them for serious use:
No inbox encryption.
Public inboxes or predictable addresses.
Vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Typically with no ability to send messages.
✅ 3. Leveraging Temporary Phone Numbers (With Caution)
Also, you can use a temporary or virtual phone number to receive the verification code. These services provide you with a disposable number that you can use for a short period.
Online SMS Services: Numerous websites offer free temporary phone numbers for receiving SMS online. However, be aware that these numbers are public, meaning anyone can see the messages sent to them. Use these only for services where you are not concerned about the long-term security of the account.
VoIP Services: Services like Google Voice or other Voice over IP providers can give you a virtual phone number. While some email providers have started blocking VoIP numbers for verification, it's still worth a try.
A Word of Caution: Using a temporary number for a primary email account is risky. If you ever lose access to the account and the only recovery method is that temporary number, you will likely be locked out permanently. This method is best suited for creating secondary, non-important or disposable email addresses.
Mistakes to Avoid
Creating an email without phone number is only part of the equation. Here's what not to do:
Don't log in using your real IP address repeatedly: This could trigger phone verification or make your anonymous identity traceable.
Don't reuse passwords: Always use strong, unique passwords generated by a secure password manager.
Never store credentials in plaintext: A compromised device means game over.
Be mindful of what you share: Avoid sharing personal information in your emails that could be used to identify you.
Consider encrypted messaging: For highly sensitive conversations, consider using end-to-end encrypted messaging apps in conjunction with your secure email.
How to Recover Your Email Without Phone Number
Many people assume a phone number is necessary for account recovery. While it's true for most mainstream services, here's how privacy-first platforms handle recovery:
Recovery codes or seed phrases (e.g., Atomic Mail).
Alternate email addresses.
Encrypted local backups that you control.
Make sure you write down your seed phrase or backup keys and store them offline in a secure location.
Conclusion: Your Privacy Begins with Your Email
Your email account is the gateway to your digital life. Tying it to your phone number introduces unnecessary risks---from profiling and surveillance to targeted attacks and data leaks.
Learning how to create an email without phone number is not just a privacy hack - it's a foundational digital hygiene skill in 2025 and beyond. Whether you're an activist, cybersecurity expert, or simply someone who values privacy, there are tools and methods available for creating anonymous, secure email accounts.
Opt for services that don't treat your phone number as a ticket to access. Practice operational security. And never forget: privacy isn't about hiding something wrong - it's about protecting what's yours.