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How to Complete LinkedIn SMS Verification

The LinkedIn SMS verification screen that pops up when you sign up for a new account, or when a suspicious login attempt is detected, asks you to enter your real phone number. If you'd rather get through that step without handing your number to a professional networking platform, you can complete LinkedIn SMS verification with a virtual number in just a few minutes. In this post we walk through how the process works step by step and what you need to watch out for.

Why does LinkedIn ask for a phone number?

LinkedIn asks for phone verification at signup, or when it detects an out-of-the-ordinary login, to cut down on fake profiles and bot accounts. You're especially likely to hit this screen after logging in from a new device, from a different country, or after several failed login attempts in a row. It can also kick in as an extra security layer for job applications or employer accounts. In some cases, simply opening your account from a new browser or a different city triggers the same prompt; the platform uses it as a safeguard against account takeover attempts.

If you don't want to use your personal line for every new account or every suspicious login alert, a virtual number gets the job done here. People opening multiple platform accounts during a job search, or managing a separate profile for an employer brand, in particular want to keep their real numbers out of platform databases.

LinkedIn SMS verification steps with a virtual number

The process is a simple flow you complete in the dashboard with a few clicks:

  1. Pick a country and select LinkedIn as the service.
  2. The fee for the assigned number is deducted from your coin balance, and the order opens with a countdown timer.
  3. Enter the number in LinkedIn's phone verification field.
  4. Copy the incoming code from the dashboard, paste it into LinkedIn, and finish the verification.

This flow is almost identical to the steps we cover in how to get a virtual number for Discord; the only difference is that the service you select is LinkedIn. The whole thing usually takes a few minutes and can be completed without leaving the dashboard or closing your browser tab.

What to watch out for when using a virtual number for LinkedIn

What if the code doesn't arrive?

On some carriers the code can lag by a few seconds, so don't panic; just refresh the page before the order timer runs out. We explain how SMS codes work behind the scenes in more detail in our how SMS verification codes work article. If the LinkedIn verification doesn't go through, creating a new order with a different country or carrier is usually the fastest fix. Another common situation is LinkedIn refusing to accept the same number for a second verification within a short period; waiting a few minutes and trying a different country option speeds up the solution.

Using virtual numbers for multiple LinkedIn accounts

Recruiters, agency accounts, and anyone wanting a second LinkedIn account for a separate personal brand can run into the account limit tied to a single number. By picking a separate virtual number for each new account, you can verify as many profiles as you want without ever touching your real line. You can track your coin balance in the dashboard and spend the coins you earn through the referral program or any promo codes on your next order. You can also review the dashboard's current prices in the pricing section beforehand and plan your budget accordingly. This approach also makes it easier to run multiple LinkedIn identities in parallel, like an employer brand, a personal profile, and agency accounts, without being limited to a single real number.

Bottom line: with a virtual number, LinkedIn SMS verification becomes a fast, repeatable way to protect your real number, whether you're opening a new account or responding to a security alert. Since the entire process can be tracked in the dashboard, you can also look back and see which account you verified and when.

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