TextNow Number Not Valid for WhatsApp? – Complete Fix

Are you trying to create a WhatsApp account using your TextNow number? You may see the error TextNow number not valid for WhatsApp.

If you do, don’t worry! We got you!

Many users have problems registering their TextNow number on WhatsApp due to the invalid number error.

Either their SIM card isn’t activated, or text verification isn’t supported. It is also possible your current location and number do not match.

We’ve got you covered if you can’t register your TextNow number on WhatsApp!

When you get the invalid number error, force restart your WhatsApp and TextNow apps. You may be dealing with temporary bugs and glitches. If this doesn’t work, restart your phone. Then, check the permissions on your TextNow app. More importantly, use a TextNow number with a valid US area code.

For us to fix TextNow number not valid for WhatsApp, we have to determine the cause of the error first.

Why TextNow Not Working for WhatsApp

There are a few reasons why your TextNow number won’t work with WhatsApp.

You want to choose a valid number on the app, but not all of those are going to be valid.

You’ll need to take your time and find one that will allow you to verify WhatsApp.

Here are some of the other reasons you need to look out for so you’ll know how to get your TextNow number to work for WhatsApp.

1. Permissions Not Allowing TextNow App

You need to allow certain functions for the Textnow app via permissions. Not setting this up can block calls and texts and not let them go through.

2. Not using a Valid TextNow Number

TextNow uses VoIP numbers. Not all of them can be used for WhatsApp, but that doesn’t mean that TextNow doesn’t carry valid ones.

3. Text Verification not Supported

WhatsApp does not support text verification from TextNow numbers. The good thing is that a workaround allows you to verify your number.

4. Location and Number Do Not Match

It’s important that the area code you chose matches your current location.

This information can be detected, making it hard to accept your number if these two don’t correlate.

Now that you have a good idea of what causes WhatsApp not to accept your TextNow number, it will make it easier to find the right solution to your problem.

How to Fix TextNow Number Not Valid for WhatsApp

When you’re having a hard time using your TextNow number for WhatsApp, you want to make sure to refresh both apps.

The first thing you can do is perform a Force Restart on both apps. You can close them using the app drawer on your phone and swipe them out of the screen.

You can also reboot your phone to ensure that any erroneous cache files are flushed out of your device’s memory.

You can move on to these advanced solutions if none of these steps work.

Solution #1: Allow Permissions on Your TextNow App

If you can’t use several TextNow numbers on WhatsApp, one of the first things you need to do is change the app permissions.

TextNow needs the right permissions so it can receive calls and messages. If you don’t set it up properly, WhatsApp’s verification request will not go through.

TextNow needs three primary permissions to work properly. However, you need to activate all the permissions it needs to get the SMS requests from apps like WhatsApp.

There are three more permissions that you need to turn on.

Here are the steps on how to allow all TextNow permissions:

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Go to Privacy.
3. Select Microphone.
4. Choose Toggle Access per App.
5. Toggle the switch to On for the TextNow app.

Tip: You will need to repeat these steps for Contacts, Location Services, Messages, and Storage.

On Android:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Select Apps, then select TextNow.
3. Tap on Permissions.
4. Go to the Phone, Microphone, and Contacts. Choose Allow.
5. You also want to Allow SMS, Storage, and Location.

Solution #2: Choose a TextNow Number with a Valid US Area Code

TextNow allows you to use VoIP numbers. So, with TextNow, you have access to many different numbers that you can use to register for WhatsApp.

The advantage of TextNow is that you can change the area code, and the app will present you with a new list of numbers you can use and try verifying WhatsApp.

Don’t be surprised if your initial numbers are not going to be valid.

All you need to do is change the area code and look for a number that WhatsApp’s verification SMS will go through.

Here’s how to change the area code on TextNow:

1. Sign up to TextNow using your email address.
2. On the Phone number selection screen, tap on Change area code.
3. Enter a valid US area code like 319, 425, 409, 310, 626, or 430.
4. Select a number.
5. Go to WhatsApp and verify the number you have chosen.

Pro Tip: Don’t worry if this method doesn’t work, as there’s an alternative that you can use using TextNow.

Solution #3: If It Doesn’t Work, Release the Number on TextNow

If your chosen number doesn’t work, you can still verify WhatsApp. All you need to do is to get a brand-new number on TextNow.

It’s actually an easy process since you’re not locked into a particular number when you choose it.

You can still change it by releasing your current number on the TextNow app.

After releasing the number, you should be able to change the area code and select a new number.

You can try signing up to WhatsApp again and get the new number verified so you can use the app.

Here’s how to release your current number on the TextNow app:

1. Open the TextNow app on your phone.
2. Tap on the menu on the top left.
3. Go to Settings, then Account.
4. Find your TextNow number, then click on the three-dot menu.
5. Tap on Release Number and Yes to confirm.

Note: You’ll know that you don’t have the correct number since you’re going to get the error that says, “The phone number you entered is not a valid mobile number.”

Solution #4: If Accepted, Skip the Text Verification on WhatsApp

You’ll know that you have the right number if the notification pop-up on WhatsApp says, “We will be verifying the phone number:”

If you get this notification, you should be able to proceed with the verification process.

Now WhatsApp will usually send a verification message to your number. However, for VoIP numbers, they won’t be able to do that.

Don’t worry, you can still proceed, but you’ll need to skip the text verification.

Here’s how to skip SMS verification on WhatsApp:

1. Open WhatsApp on your phone.
2. Enter your TextNow number on the verification screen.
3. Tap OK to start the verification process.
4. If the message is not sent, wait for the timer to reach zero.
5. Once the timer reaches zero, select the Call Me button.

Solution #5: Request a Call Verification on WhatsApp

After skipping the SMS verification, WhatsApp will proceed to call your number.

If you’re using a different number, you should be able to answer this right away and enter the verification code to use WhatsApp.

However, since you’re using a VoIP number and TextNow, there’s a way to get the code.

Your call won’t go directly to the TextNow app but will go to voicemail. You’re not going to receive the call, but you’re still going to have access to the code.

Here’s how to request a call verification and get the code from your TextNow voicemail:

1. Wait for the TextNow verification that WhatsApp is calling.
2. The call will end and go straight to your TextNow voicemail.
3. Select the Menu button on the top left.
4. Tap on Settings, then Calling.
5. Go to Voicemail, and tap on the call from WhatsApp.

Note: You will need to listen to the call immediately, as the WhatsApp verification code will expire in a few minutes.

Solution #6: Use a VPN and Connect to a US Server

One of the most effective ways to ensure that WhatsApp accepts your TextNow number is if the area code matches your phone’s actual location.

With TextNow allowed to use your location via permissions, you can use a VPN to change your location.

This will match your number and location, making it easier for WhatsApp to accept your verification number.

Here’s how to use a VPN to verify WhatsApp using your TextNow number:

1. Force close both WhatsApp and TextNow.
2. Open the VPN app on your phone.
3. Connect to a server that matches your TextNow area code.
4. Launch TextNow, then WhatsApp.
5. Attempt to verify your WhatsApp using your number.

Note: To know the location of your area code, you can quickly search for it. 

You can then connect to a VPN server that corresponds to your area code location.

You also want to ensure that you’re using the latest version of TextNow to avoid any issues when using it for account verification.

If you run into any problems while using the app you can contact TextNow customer support.

Bottom Line

Now that you know the causes and fixes to TextNow number not valid for WhatsApp, you can follow these steps to get it to work.

It takes a few tries to make it work, so be patient and keep trying to find a number that WhatsApp will accept.

Read Next: Can TextNow Be Traced Back to Your Phone?