Free public number
$0- Public messages are visible
- Used by multiple visitors
- No registration required
- Best for low-priority testing
Use a free virtual number or temp number to receive SMS online from Public and, where Public accepts public or virtual numbers, to sign up for a Public account without paying for the number. You can also compare paid one-time and private options when you need more control. This page currently displays 3 public message records from the available MyTempSMS snapshot. Public messages are visible to everyone; number availability, Public acceptance, verification, and delivery are not guaranteed. MyTempSMS is independent from Public.
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Check price| Feature | Free public number | One-time verification | Private rental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Testing or low priority | Quick verification | Frequent or long-term use |
| Cost | $0 | Varies by country | Varies by country |
| Number type | Shared | Single use | Private |
| Message visibility | Public | Order-specific | Private |
| Reusability | Multiple visitors | Single use | During rental |
| Active duration | While available | Until verified or expired | Selected rental period |
| Delivery guarantee | Not guaranteed | Not guaranteed | Not guaranteed |
| Setup time | Instant | At checkout | At checkout |
A free inbox on this page can show a Public SMS only when the message is actually routed to the selected number. Public states that SMS two-factor authentication is part of its account security. Because Public is an investing platform and these inboxes are shared, do not keep a public number on a real financial account; use a private phone you control for login protection, profile changes, and recovery.
Keep the chosen inbox open, make the request only on the genuine Public interface, and then inspect the new messages for the request you initiated. MyTempSMS can display a free arrival but does not establish that the number satisfies Public’s account rules. Since the account may hold financial assets, a shared receiver should not become a persistent login or recovery factor.
Public describes SMS two-factor authentication as a security feature and separately supports biometric authentication on the device. Those controls assume that the registered device and its messages remain under the member’s control. Recycled or publicly readable numbers conflict with that assumption and should not be used as the durable phone for a live investing account.
The registered phone can be edited in Public’s Personal information settings. When an in-app update is not possible, Member Support asks for identifying account information and verifies the member before helping with the change. This is a structured ownership process, not a reason to rotate through temporary numbers when one is rejected.
Public’s password-reset instructions send a reset link to the registered email address, while locked-out users can email Member Support for account verification. Keep both email and phone current. A text reaching a public inbox does not replace the email and identity checks that Public can use when restoring account access.
Public explains that financial-account identity verification includes regulated information such as a Social Security number. This distinguishes account approval from possession of a phone. Treat any SMS as one security event inside a larger compliance process, and use official support immediately if account activity looks unauthorized.
Confirm that the request came from Public and that the registered number is correct. If a public inbox stays empty, do not repeatedly cycle financial-account verification through shared numbers. Use your private mobile line; if login still fails, try Public’s documented app/web troubleshooting and contact Member Support by chat or email.
Try the Personal information path first. If the phone field cannot be changed in the app, Public says Member Support can verify the account and provide next steps. Send the requested account information through official chat or support email rather than relying on continued access to an old or shared number.
If an SMS or login event appears without your action, do not disclose the code. Change the Public password, enable biometric protection where available, review account activity, and notify support immediately. For identity theft or broader compromise, follow Public’s additional protective steps rather than treating the unexpected text as harmless.
When Public sends a text to the exact number you entered, open that number’s current inbox here and look for the message tied to your request. Viewing a listed public inbox is free, but receipt does not mean Public will accept that number for an investing account.
No. Public documents SMS two-factor authentication as an account-security control, and a public receiver exposes incoming messages to other visitors. An investing account should keep its registered phone and recovery details under the account holder’s exclusive control.
Public says two-factor authentication via SMS helps secure the account and ties login protection to the registered device. It separately recommends biometric authentication, so phone-based verification is part of a broader set of security measures rather than the only safeguard.
Yes. Public says you can change the phone number from Settings, Profile, and Personal information. If you cannot complete the update in the app, Member Support can verify your information and provide the next steps.
Email Public Member Support from the account-related address when possible. Public says locked-out members can contact support by email so the team can verify their information; it does not currently offer phone support.
Public’s password reset uses the registered email address: the website or app sends a reset link there. That means SMS access alone is not the complete recovery path, and the email on the account should also remain current and private.
Opening and maintaining a regulated investing account can involve identity information beyond a phone. Public explains that it collects a Social Security number to verify identity under financial-industry requirements, so an SMS code is not a substitute for account eligibility checks.
Notify Public promptly through its official support channel, change the password, and use device biometric protection. Public’s security guidance also recommends monitoring the account and taking additional identity-protection steps when unauthorized activity is suspected.
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