29 June 2022

6 Steps To Get A UK Phone Number For WhatsApp

Are you wondering how you can get a UK phone number for WhatsApp? Find out how in this step-by-step guide.

Angga Fernandi

Customer Success Executive

Reading time: 5 minutes

Around 5 million businesses make use of WhatsApp Business to promote their brand and communicate with customers.

But, before you get started with WhatsApp Business, you’ll need a phone number to create an account. This requires you to verify your phone number with your country of residence.

As we all know, getting a UK phone number if you’re not a resident in the UK can be a challenge. But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible!

In this article, we’ll share some simple steps to obtain virtual UK numbers for WhatsApp. Let’s dive right in 👇

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Why should you get a UK phone number for WhatsApp?

Lots of businesses these days would rather use international-based numbers (either US or UK-based numbers) compared to their personal phone numbers. This could be because of privacy concerns, professional business purposes, or WhatsApp verifications.

Here are some benefits of using a UK phone number:

No required to purchase a UK SIM card.
Able to split personal and social life from business.
Protects personal numbers from getting banned, scammed, and spammed.
Able to reach international customers.
Seems more trustworthy to customers as compared to using a personal number.

How to get a UK phone number for WhatsApp with third-party providers

As WhatsApp does not provide a feature to purchase a virtual number, there are websites and apps that can help you generate virtual UK phone numbers for WhatsApp.

Use Dingtone

Dingtone is a reliable app you can use to generate a UK virtual number for WhatsApp. However, you are required to buy a number to get text messages and calls.

Interestingly, you can earn credits by referring Dingtone to another user, which can be used to purchase the number for free.

Once you download the app via the Google PlayStore or App Store, follow these steps:

Open the app and click on [Agree] to accept the privacy policy.
Sign up using your email address.
Click [Get a real phone number] on the app’s main screen.
Pick the number you want to use, in this case, the UK number option (+44).
Generate a number by keying in the area code.
Click [Get access to this number] to purchase the number that has been finalized.

That’s it! Your UK number is now ready to be used on WhatsApp 😉

Use Numero

Numero is another alternative to get a virtual UK mobile number. With this app, you can create virtual numbers from around 70 countries, including the UK.

Numero works for both Android and iOS users. Also, it automatically gives you a US-based number for free! However, the UK numbers are premium so you have to pay for them.

Here’s how to get a UK phone number with Numero:

Download, install, and launch the Numero app.
Key in your mobile phone number and country code in the registration box.
Once you’re done, you will be signed in.
Click [Phone Numbers], then choose ‘United Kingdom’ and search the area code.
Finalize the number and proceed with the payment (around 4 Euros).
Then, you will be assigned the UK number you paid.

You can now use the number to make calls and earn free credits. Moreover, you can use it for WhatsApp verification, Facebook, and other social media accounts.

Use YourBusinessNumber

YourBusinessNumber (YBN) is a site providing virtual UK numbers to use for various social media apps. It not only works for WhatsApp Business, but also other apps such as Telegram, Viber, Signal, Uber, and Deliveroo.

Here’s how to get a UK phone number with YBN:

Visit YourBusinessNumber.
On the main page, click the [Generate number] button.
Next, fill in your current phone number and click the [Send] button.
You will be directed to the payment wall. Click the [Checkout] button to complete the transaction.
After that, you will receive an SMS containing your new virtual UK number.
Finally, download the WhatsApp Business app and verify the number to activate it.

Do take note that this is a subscription-based service. You can cancel it at any time so as to not get charged subsequently.

Use FreeTollForwarding

FreeTollForwarding provides free virtual UK numbers for WhatsApp. Here’s how to set it up:

Visit FreeTollForwarding.
You will see 3 boxes on the home page. Click the second box to choose the available cities such as Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, etc.
Next, click the [Free trial button] below those 3 boxes.
Then, you will need to fill in your details such as name, email, the purpose of using the number, and the country for call forwarding. Do not forget to hit the [Continue] button to proceed.
After that, you will get an email for verification. Click verify to get to the page where you should fill in contact information.
Lastly, click on [Free Trial].

Do note that a payment method is required to activate the UK number. Also, you will only get charged after the 30-day free trial ends, so this means you can cancel it before the due date.

Use Sonetel

Sonetel is another website that offers free UK phone numbers. Here’s how you can get a phone number from Sonetel:

Visit Sonetel and click [Try Free].
Next, choose the country and the city so that the number will be auto-generated.
After that, select the option to keep the number after the trial.
Once you’re done, complete the process by clicking the [Try Free] button to start the free trial.
You can also click the [Buy Now] button to purchase it at the beginning.
Next, fill in the personal information such as first name, last name, email address, and password. Then, click the [Create Account] button.

You can now start using your virtual number. If you’re on a free trial, you can purchase the number when the trial period ends.

Call forwarding can be done to your mobile number or at any destination you want. Also, you can cancel the service at any time.

Verify your UK number for WhatsApp

After you’ve generated a UK phone number from the apps and websites above, you should register and verify it to make sure it’s usable for WhatsApp. Here are the steps to follow:

Open the WhatsApp Business app and click [Settings].
Then, click on the [Account] option to change your phone number.
Key in your current mobile number and the new UK number you just generated.
Click [Next] and you will receive a verification code sent to your UK number. You should check it on Numero, Dingtone, YBN, or other providers you use.
Key in the OTP code and wait for the number to be updated.
Now, the UK number is ready to use on your WhatsApp account.

How to get a UK phone number for WhatsApp with NovoChat

While the providers we shared above can certainly offer you a UK phone number for WhatsApp, they may not be the most secure.

Let’s take a look at how you can use a chat marketing software, NovoChat, to get a UK phone number reliably.

Purchase a virtual number

NovoChat offers a virtual number feature that you can use to send WhatsApp broadcasts and automation. This is a good choice for businesses that don’t wish to use their own personal numbers to send bulk messages.

Moreover, it prevents your personal WhatsApp number from getting reported due to frequent broadcasts. NovoChat’s virtual number is a UK-based number that costs only $5 per month.

Here’s how you can get a virtual UK number with NovoChat in 6 simple steps:

Navigate to the [Settings] tab and select [Purchase Number].
Next, click the [Purchase Numbers] button.
Then, click the [Confirm] button for purchase number verification.
You will be brought to the payment wall to input your credit card info.
Once you’re done, hit the [Subscribe] button.
You will get a pop-up message regarding your successful payment.

Now you can continue setting up the virtual number 😃

Activate your virtual number

Once you buy the virtual number, follow these steps to set it up for your WhatsApp Business account:

Open your WhatsApp Business app and click the [continue] button on NovoChat’s [Purchase Number] page.
Next, set up call forwarding:
- The virtual number field will be automatically filled with the number you just bought.
- You only need to input your number registered in the WhatsApp Business app.
- Do not forget to hit the [Activate] button.
Your virtual number is now ready to register on WhatsApp Business. You can follow the guide under the [Account registration] page. Once you’re done, click the [Go to Channels] button.
Next, head over to your WhatsApp Business app and key in the virtual number to register. Click [Ok] to confirm.
After that, you should receive the verification code. If you haven’t received it after waiting for 2 minutes, kindly click the [Call Me] option.
Type in the 6-digit code you receive or hear and you’re all set!

Easy, right?

After successfully purchasing the virtual number, connect your WhatsApp number to NovoChat. This way, you can keep in touch with customers via NovoChat’s shared inbox to send bulk messages and WhatsApp automation.

Do more with NovoChat

Getting a virtual UK number for WhatsApp is not that easy as any limitations from WhatsApp might interfere to with the number. This can result in you getting banned from using WhatsApp for a period of time, which will affect business activities.

Also, apps and sites like Dingtone and YBN are not ideal for businesses focusing on WhatsApp to engage with customers. They only offer the initial step of providing a UK number, without expanding the function of the number.

That said, we recommend using NovoChat as it is much more safe and secure to purchase a UK number. You can also easily link it to WhatsApp to stay connected with customers and drive more sales.

To see how NovoChat can take your business to the next level, get started for free today!