Question 1

What is a gosimless WhatsApp number?

Accepted Answer

Think of a gosimless number as a virtual phone number that isn't tied to a physical SIM card. Rather, it's linked to your current phone number or email. This lets you get calls and texts on your virtual number without having to swap SIMs. Often a hit in the business world, gosimless numbers help keep your work and personal chats apart while still using the same device. At gosimless, we're offering UK mobile and US phone numbers mainly for accessing WhatsApp Business and other chat apps. Simple, isn't it?

Question 2

Is it possible to use both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business on a single device?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, you can enjoy the best of both worlds - WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business, all on the same device. But remember, each needs its own number. Fear not, gosimless has got you covered. Grab a virtual UK mobile or US phone number with ease and sail smoothly between WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business on a single device. Simple as that.

Question 3

How do I verify my gosimless number with WhatsApp Business?

Accepted Answer

By default, you WhatsApp will try to send an SMS to the mobile number with the verification code. You will receive the SMS by email within a couple of minutes. If you don't receive the email within 5 minutes, select the "Call me" verification method, which is one of the options presented by WhatsApp for account authentication. The call will be forwarded to your regular mobile number. Use this code to complete WhatsApp Business registration.

Question 4

Can I use my existing number for WhatsApp Business?

Accepted Answer

Accessing WhatsApp Business usually means getting a new number, separate from your regular WhatsApp, which can be a bit of a faff. It usually involves getting another SIM, signing up for another monthly plan, or buying a second device. But here's where gosimless steps in. You can snag a second number just for your business, minus the need for a second device and without burning a hole in your pocket compared to getting another line or contract. How's that for a deal?

Question 5

Is this the same thing as an eSIM?

Accepted Answer

Not quite. Imagine an eSIM as a nifty little chip tucked inside your phone. It works like your usual SIM card but with no need for any manual SIM-swapping when you switch networks. You can load it with multiple plans, but the hiccup is you can only play with one network at a time. But hold up, our gosimless virtual number is here to save the day. You can use your gosimless number together with your personal number on a single device - talk about hassle-free.

Question 6

Does my gosimless number receive regular calls?

Accepted Answer

gosimless virtual numbers are primarily meant for messaging apps. If someone rings you up on your gosimless number, they'll get a friendly bot saying hello. You can always enable call forwarding through the portal at the standard rate of 5p or 5c /minute.

Question 7

Can I use my gosimless number to make calls?

Accepted Answer

We currently don't offer the ability to make outbound calls using your virtual number outside of communications apps such as WhatsApp Business. We are working on a simple solution that will allow you to make and receive calls inexpensively - so watch this space!

Question 8

What happens to SMS messages?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to SMS messages, we've got you covered. You'll get unlimited texts sent straight to your email, including those all-important verification codes. However, messages from some short codes or alphanumeric IDs may not be supported. Get in touch with our team if you have a specific requirement so we can best support you.

Question 9

Can I buy more than one gosimless number?

Accepted Answer

Yes, of course. Once you purchase your first connection, you'll be able to add more through your online account with ease. It's just as easy to cancel a number when you no longer need it.

Question 10

How do I receive verification codes?

Accepted Answer

Piece of cake! Any verification codes sent by SMS will wing their way directly to your email. However, certain applications like WhatsApp Business send verification codes using Short Code or Alphanumeric IDs - which are not reliably supported. For such applications, there are alternative methods to complete authentication such as via a call. Give us a shout if you need a helping hand.

Question 11

How would I tell which gosimless number is calling me?

Accepted Answer

Good question! We've added a handy feature called "Call Whisper" just for this. It's included free of charge for all call forwarding enabled connections. What does Call Whisper do? It's quite simple. When you receive a call, Call Whisper will play a voice message informing you which gosimless number the call is being diverted from. This way, even if you have multiple gosimless numbers, you'll always know which one is ringing.

Question 12

Can I subscribe if I live outside the UK and US?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, yes! We at gosimless love reaching customers from all corners of the globe. It doesn't matter where you live; you're welcome to subscribe to our services. If you're based outside the UK or US and would like to make use of our call forwarding services, we kindly ask that you get in touch with us beforehand. You see, special rates may apply depending on your location. We're always transparent about our charges, so drop us a line and we'll clarify any potential extra costs.

Question 13

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Accepted Answer

Want to say bye to your subscription? No problemo. Just hop into your portal, sign in with your email, and you're good to go. Keep in mind though, doing so will terminate your gosimless number and access to WhatsApp Business. Still want to hold onto the number? You can, but it may come with a small release fee.

Question 14

What security best practices should I follow when using a virtual number with WhatsApp?

Accepted Answer

When you're using a gosimless virtual number with WhatsApp (or WhatsApp Business), you essentially treat that number just like a regular mobile number in terms of security. The first and most i - never share your WhatsApp verification code with anyone. That code is the key to your account, and if it lands in the wrong hands it could open the door to someone else using your number. Also keep an eye on your number's activity via your gosimless dashboard - if you spot anything odd (verification attempts you didn't trigger, unexpected messages), consider pausing or replacing the number. In short - keep your control panel clean, your PIN enabled, and your code locked away.

Question 15

Can I use a gosimless number alongside my personal SIM on the same phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes - you absolutely can. A gosimless virtual number works as a second line, separate from whatever your physical SIM is doing, which means you can run your main number and the virtual one on the same device (assuming it supports dual SIM or you use a separate app) without interference. That said, the reliability depends on your phone setup and data/Wi-Fi connection because a virtual number typically works over the internet rather than via a traditional mobile network alone. Also check that the gosimless number you choose supports voice calls or SMS if you're depending on that for WhatsApp verification or business use. Bottom line - treat the virtual number like a truly separate line, and it plays nicely alongside your personal number.

Question 16

How quickly can I activate a gosimless virtual number and start receiving calls/SMS?

Accepted Answer

With gosimless, activation is designed to be swift. Once you've signed up and completed any verification steps required by us, the number is usually live within minutes and ready to receive SMS and calls. That means you could realistically be up and running with your new line for WhatsApp, business use or personal use the same day.

Question 17

Do gosimless virtual numbers support both SMS and voice calls?

Accepted Answer

Our gosimless UK virtual numbers are built to support both incoming SMS and voice calls - perfect for WhatsApp verification, business use or just having that extra line.

Question 18

Are short-codes or certain senders blocked?

Accepted Answer

There are a few things to be aware of. Some services (including WhatsApp) may impose extra checks on numbers that appear "virtual" or VoIP-based, and occasionally short-codes or particular senders may not reach all types of virtual numbers. We recommend that your reach out to our support team if you're dependent on a certain short-code (e.g. for banking or specialised apps). Ultimately, most gosimless numbers behave like a regular mobile line - just with better flexibility and digital management.

Question 19

Can a gosimless UK virtual number receive one-time passcodess (OTPs) reliably?

Accepted Answer

Yes - our virtual UK numbers are fully capable of receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) and verification texts, making them a strong choice for setting up apps, services or online accounts that require SMS confirmation. That said, some apps may have restrictions about using numbers they flag as "virtual" or "VoIP", so if you run into a situation where a verification text doesn't arrive, check with our support team and we'll help troubleshoot the issue or provide an alternative number. For most users, the process is seamless - order the number, use it for signup, receive SMS/OTP call, and you're good to go.

Question 20

Will a gosimless virtual number work while I'm abroad?

Accepted Answer

A gosimless number forwards calls to your chosen SIM number. When you are abroad, whether you receive those calls depends on your mobile roaming settings with your SIM provider. If roaming is switched on and your SIM is reachable, forwarded calls to your gosimless number will come through. If roaming is off or your SIM is not reachable, those forwarded calls will not connect.

WhatsApp Numbers FAQs

Frequently asked questions