Do you know how to spot a TextNow number? There are hundreds of wireless telecommunication carriers in the US today. It can be difficult to trace and find out who owns a TextNow number.
Phone numbers in the US typically consist of 11 digits. So, you can’t identify a TextNow number just by looking at it.
You must search the TextNow website or use a number lookup service to spot a TextNow number.
Is it possible to trace a TextNow number? Let’s find out!
There are many ways to spot a TextNow number. You can use the TextNow app, any number lookup service, or your phone’s caller ID feature. You can also search on your browser or social media sites. As a last resort, you may get help from law enforcement.
Before we discuss the steps to spot a TextNow number, we listed some things you need to know about TextNow number tracing.
Different Ways How to Identify a TextNow Number
TextNow is a VoIP platform that offers free calling and messaging. It gives you a private number for business and social media purposes.
You can also contact non-TextNow users. But how do you identify a TextNow number?
1. Can’t Identify Just by Looking at It
TextNow numbers also consist of 11 digits and start with the same country code, so it’s hard to identify them just by looking. But you can trace them by looking at the user’s details.
2. Search for the Number on TextNow
TextNow has all information about its users, but they are not allowed to share them.
However, you can do an anonymous TextNow lookup. When someone shares their number online, you can follow trails and track them.
3. Check out Number Lookup Services
There are many number lookup services online. You can just enter the number on their search bar and get details about the owner, including name and address.
4. Tracking is Easier than you Think
Tracking a TextNow number is easy. You can trace someone just by looking at their account details. You can check their email, text and call history.
Now that you know how to identify a TextNow number, let us proceed to spot one.
Steps on How to Spot a TextNow Number
We all know that TextNow uses VoIP numbers. If you’re hoping to spot one just by looking at it, you can’t.
There’s really no difference between regular and VoIP numbers in terms of the format. So, there’s no way to determine whether a certain number is from TextNow.
The good news, though, is that there are other ways to know if a number is from TextNow or not.
You’ll need some help, like tools on the internet or the TextNow app itself. There will be a lot of searching, but you’ll eventually tell if the number is from TextNow or not.
Step #1: Use the TextNow App to Know if It’s a VoIP Number
The first things you can do so you’ll know if a number is from TextNow is to use the app itself. If the number is from the app, they will surely have an account there.
You can simply search for the number, and if an account is associated with it, you’ll have the basic information about the account.
To know a number from TextNow, you’ll need to send it a message. It’s the quickest way to know the account owner’s details, like its name.
Since a TextNow account is associated with the number, it will show the name instead of the number.
Here’s how to search for a number on TextNow:
- Open the TextNow app.
- Go to the Conversations tab on the app.
- Tap on the Compose icon.
- Enter the number you want to check.
- Send a message.
Note: You’ll know it’s a TextNow number since it will change into its account name after you send a message.
Step #2: Use a Number Lookup Service to Confirm a TextNow Number
The issue with Step #1 is that you will need a TextNow account of your own.
The problem is when you don’t have TextNow but still want to know whether a number is from the platform or not.
The good news is that you can search for it using lookup services online.
These lookup tools are basically websites that have access to TextNow’s database and can cross-reference a number to its account details.
One of the popular tools you can use is SpyForMe.com.
Here’s how to use a lookup service to spot a TextNow number:
- Go to SpyForMe.com.
- Scroll down and find the search bar on the website.
- Type in your suspected TextNow number.
- Click on the Start TextNow Number Lookup.
- Wait for the results.
Note: Remember that TextNow’s customer support won’t be able to help you even if you’re a victim of bullying or if someone is annoying you.
Step #3: Use a Third-Party App Like TrueCaller on Your Phone
There are a lot of lookup services available, but they’re mostly as a website.
Yes, you can use them on your phone’s browser, but you would be better off using them on your computer.
If you’re stuck using your phone, there’s an app that you can use to do a number lookup.
You will need to use TrueCaller, a caller ID, and a call blocking app for your phone.
It has all the features you want in a number identification app, giving you high accuracy if you’re tracking phone numbers, even VoIP ones from TextNow.
Here’s how to use TrueCaller to spot a TextNow number:
- Get the TrueCaller app on your phone.
- Sign up and sign in to the app to use it.
- Once in the app, type the TextNow number on the search bar.
- Wait for the results to show up.
Tip: TrueCaller is available on both iOS and Android platforms, so you don’t have to worry about the phone you’re using to track an annoying TextNow number.
Step #4: Use a Search Engine to Know if It’s a TextNow Number
One of the problems with using lookup services is that they’re not always free.
If you want to verify or make sure that a number is from TextNow, you can use search engines like Google and Bing to have a better picture.
This step is more about confirming if a certain number is from TextNow and wanting to know if the identity is legit.
If they’re using the number as part of their personal information on many websites, a few of those are bound to pop up on search results.
Here’s how to search the TextNow number on search engines.
- Go to Google or Bing to start searching.
- Type in the TextNow number on the search bar.
- Look at the search results that pop up.
- Scour the results for the same information, like name and email address.
Note: You’ll be able to cross-reference the number with the name and email address that is displayed with it.
Step #5: Search on Social Media Sites
Apart from search engines, you can also plug in the number on social media sites, and they will come up with their own results.
You must remember that many social media sites ask for your number upon registration. Others even allow you to register just by using your phone number.
Other social media platforms can also verify your identity by sending a verification code to your number.
If someone has been using their TextNow number to sign up for an account on a social media website, you’ll be able to search for them that way.
Here’s how to search TextNow numbers on social media platforms:
- Go to a social media website such as Facebook.
- Select the search bar.
- Type in the suspected TextNow number.
- Verify if there’s an account associated with it.
- If there is, it’s likely they are the person that’s contacting you.
Step #6: Use a New Number and Contact them on TextNow
An advantage of having a TextNow number is that you can get a brand-new phone number with just a few taps on your phone.
Now, if someone annoying you, they can do the same thing and change their number quickly.
If you want to take advantage of this fact, you can get a new number on TextNow and contact them.
This method might not be the easiest since it will take time for this to work.
However, you’ll know for sure if they’re using a TextNow number just by asking a simple question.
Here’s how to use a new number and contact them on TextNow:
- Go to the TextNow Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Choose Account.
- Tap on your TextNow number and select Release Number.
- Get a new number on TextNow and use it.
Note: You can now contact that particular number and ask them if they’re using TextNow.
Of course, just by looking at it, there’s no quick way to determine if a number is from TextNow.
Contacting TextNow’s customer support is not of any help either, as they won’t divulge the identity of their subscribers.
However, there’s an effective way to spot VoIP and TextNow numbers with the help of tools.
Bottom Line
How to spot a TextNow number? Knowing that you need to use a few tools, you can start searching who owns certain numbers.
You will need to look deeper into the results to get more information.
Yes, it will take a bit of time, but if your privacy and security are at stake, it helps to know more about the owners of numbers that might be harassing you.
Read Next: TextNow Number Not Valid for WhatsApp? – Fixed!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.