Discord asks you to verify your phone number: why, and what to do

Discord asks for a phone number in two situations:

• A server you want to join requires it. Server owners can choose the highest verification level, which only lets in accounts with a verified phone number.
• Discord wants to be sure you’re a person. A new account, a new network or unusual activity can bring up a “verify by phone” screen before you can carry on.

Two rules decide which numbers work. Discord links a phone number to one account at a time, so a number already on another account is turned down. And Discord says it doesn’t support VoIP numbers, such as Google Voice. The public numbers on free SMS websites rarely work either, and anyone can read the code there (why that matters).

The free option: your own number

If you’re happy for Discord to have your own number, use it. It works, and it costs nothing.

If you’d rather not give Discord your number

A one-time number takes the code without linking your own number to Discord. Ours cost $1: pick Discord and a country, enter the number in Discord, and the code shows on your order page. If no code arrives within 20 minutes, the $1 goes back to your balance. Get a number for Discord.

Keep the account safe afterwards

The number receives that one code and nothing after it, and Discord can ask for a code again, after a password reset for example. So straight after verifying, turn on two-factor authentication with an authenticator app (User Settings, then My Account) and save the backup codes somewhere safe.