Today’s digital world has provided us with some smart AI tools like ChatGPT. Many people use ChatGPT to search, learn, and even work. Making it easy for the people, they have made an update recently, in April 2025. Now, you can sign up without a phone number.

So, why does ChatGPT used to ask for your phone number? And now you don’t need one?

The answer is yes; now, you can use ChatGPT without providing your number. In this blog, you’ll learn when ChatGPT needs your number, why it used to require one, and what to expect next.

🚀Let’s start.

🔑Key Highlights
  • You can now sign up by email. No phone number is required except for special tools and account recovery.
  • This updated version makes ChatGPT safer and faster. The safety features are managed with much smarter tools.
  • The update has made it easy to sign up and use. People from worldwide can now easily access and join in.
  • ChatGPT has made it better for families, students, and professionals. The update has made ChatGPT fairer, safer, and enhanced.
  • No more time consumption in waiting for text messages and verification codes. Even people can try ChatGPT without phone, too.

You Can Use ChatGPT Without a Phone Number

you can use chatgpt without a phone number.

Now, you can use ChatGPT without providing your phone number. That’s right, open your account with just an email with no effort. This new update has brought a new change in ChatGPT by the grace of OpenAI.

Before this update, when you wanted to use ChatGPT, you used to ask for your phone number. Now, for many users, it’s not needed. You can now sign up with your email and start using ChatGPT, which makes the process faster and allows you to work on time.

This update creates an excellent environment for users who demand more privacy. It’s especially helpful to students and people without phone numbers.

Why Did ChatGPT Used to Require a Phone Number?

Before this update came, ChatGPT required your phone number to sign up. But why?

Let’s check out the main reasons:

To Check If You Are a Valid User

Some people are always there to create a mess for others, creating fake accounts to spam or break the rules. By using phone numbers, ChatGPT controlled bots and bad users from getting in.

To Stop Abuse

Some people became nuisances and tried to use ChatGPT in inappropriate ways. Using phone numbers made things safer.

To Follow Rules

Some countries have laws that require phone checks to create online accounts. OpenAI must follow those rules for smooth operation and validity.

To Keep Accounts Safe

If you lose your account or forget your password, a phone number authorization can help you get it back.

Even though the reasons were valid, some users found it too much. Not everyone has a phone number, and not everyone wants to share. That’s the reason OpenAI worked on new updates.

It’s Easier for Everyone: Sign Up With Just Email

Today, anyone can sign in using only their email address. This builds a faster workforce and connectivity. Making everything easier and more welcoming.
Here’s how to use it with ease:

  1. Go to Chat. Openai.com.
  2. Click on “Sign Up.”
  3. Type your name and email.
  4. Choose a password.
  5. Confirm your email through the message they sent.
  6. Start using ChatGPT; no phone is needed.

This is great for students who don’t have a mobile number or a phone device. It also relieves those who don’t want to share their numbers online.

Now, you don’t need to worry about getting messages or data leaks from your phone number. Your email is what you need now to get signed up.

Why is This Good News?

The update is not a big win just for OpenAI but for everyone; here’s why:

More Privacy

People care about their personal information. A phone number can feel too private to share. Now, you can use ChatGPT without providing your phone number. That provides more safety and privacy.

Faster Sign Up

No more time consumption on waiting for text messages and verification codes. You can now provide your email, create a password, and sign in. This makes it easier for everyone and saves time as well.

Better Access For All

Before, some people weren’t able to sign up because they didn’t have a phone or didn’t want to share their number. But now, anyone with an email can sign up. This means more people worldwide can try ChatGPT.

More Learning, More Fun

Many students can’t afford a phone or don’t have one. Some families and personnel don’t want to share their numbers. Now, those kids will be able to use ChatGPT for studying purposes, researching, and to learn new skills. Teachers, parents, and professionals will definitely like this, too.

Less Frustration

There are no more “enter your number” errors or blocked accounts because users didn’t register a valid phone number. This also shows OpenAI being consciously engaged with users’ demands and needs.

When Might You Still Need a Number?

Most people don’t need a phone number to sign up now, but you might still need a phone number in some cases.

If you forget your password and can’t get into your email, a phone number can help you reset it. It’s a verification process to prove. Is it you trying to log in?

Also, some special tools, such as API, business, or team accounts, might still ask for a phone number. That’s a process to keep things and operations safe and organized.

It’s good news that many people don’t need phone numbers to sign up or use ChatGPT. But having one keeps you out of trouble when you need it.

How OpenAI Keeps ChatGPT Safe Without a Phone Number?

In the past, ChatGPT used to ask for phone numbers for verification and safety concerns, but now it doesn’t. They have upgraded themselves to stronger and smarter tools.
Here’s how it works:

Smarter Systems

OpenAI uses smart tools and devices to find out and stop bad users. These tools detect strange actions, like too many wrong attempts or sign-ups. They check out the location if it’s from the same place to stop that from happening.

Email Checks

Even though phone numbers aren’t needed anymore, a real email is a compulsion now to verify. Whether or not the person or user is real. The OpenAI software checks out the emails from several platforms to make sure that the user is not a fake.

Limits And Rules

Though you can use ChatGPT without an account for new users, and has been made easy to chat with an AI chatbot. You will get seasoned out or time outs by ChatGPT. That’s done for new users so that information can’t be extracted all at once. That prevents bad users from misusing ChatGPT.

Safety Teams

If something goes wrong or anything faulty has been detected in the system. OpenAI has hired professional people to handle that efficiently. The teams take action quickly in order to prevent the possible consequences.

The great thing is that OpenAI manages to do so without using phone numbers. They are efficiently taking care of their users and safety.

Also Read: Grok vs. ChatGPT: Conversational AI Compared

Why Does the API Still Need a Phone Number?

Benefits of network provider voicemail.

Now, when you don’t need a phone number to sign up, only an email works fine. Why does the API still need a phone number? API still needs your phone number to use for several reasons.
Here’s why:

Extra Safety

API has more to handle than let go; it lets people build apps and tools. Security concerns are at their peak, and safety must be maintained. OpenAI makes sure only real people use their features and tools so that other users don’t face issues. A phone number helps a lot to keep it safe for everyone.

To Stop Spam and Fake Use

Some people can misuse the API by creating as many fake accounts as they can for bad purposes. A phone number makes that harder, which helps to stop spam and fake users from getting in.

For Business And Billing

People who use special tools like API often pay the price for a subscription. API usage is pay-as-you-go. A registered phone number helps to know who is using the account and who is a real person. It also helps when someone needs customer support or help with the payments.

It’s a Different System

API has a stronger system, and it helps people to build things. Because it is more enhanced and advancements have been made. That’s the reason API needs more strict rules to be implemented. A phone number verification is a part of that process.

Could Phone Numbers Come Back Later?

In the current scenario, you don’t need a phone number to use ChatGPT, but in the upcoming days, nobody knows. They might bring back the system for some people or tools.

Some Cases to observe:

Safety And Concerns

If many people start to misuse the privilege provided by OpenAI. Many fake accounts start to show up again. To keep ChatGPT safe for its users and stop those people, OpenAI might bring back phone numbers.

Special Paid Tools

Some special tools, like API or pro plans, might still need a phone number. These tools have more functions and features, which come at a price to be paid. So, OpenAI is bound to check who are the users of the tools.

Laws and Regions

Some countries have strict laws governing the use of certain tools and apps. If you live in one of those countries and the law requires a phone number for identification. OpenAI may ask for your number and authentication to follow the rules.

Most people don’t need a phone number to use ChatGPT now, but in some special cases, it might be implemented again.

You may also like:Deepseek vs ChatGPT: Which AI Tool Is Better in 2025?

What’s Next for ChatGPT?

Now that phone numbers aren’t needed anymore to sign up, they are planning to add more updates. To build an easier interface and model for users.

They might add more language models, more voices, or fun tools to help you write, learn, or create. Making it a better platform for new skills learners and enhancing creativity.

OpenAI is also working on making the ChatGPT account safer. That means better ways to stop spam and scam calls, even without a phone number. Building smarter tools might help with that.

In the upcoming days, ChatGPT could work better on smart devices and phones. ChatGPT can revolutionize the education sector by bringing tools to support teachers and students with different needs.

They are about to change learning styles and teaching methods worldwide. For people around the world, it’s a start for more positive and progressive changes.

Conclusion

ChatGPT has been available with an email to sign up after the update of April 2025. You don’t need a phone number now, just to use ChatGPT or to chat with AI. That means more people are able to use ChatGPT now, feel safe, and get help with school work or professional work.

Before, the phone number was a compulsion to sign up, but now you don’t need one. It was to keep you safe and stop spam, but better tools do that job now, which makes it simpler, safer, and more private.

Some people who use special tools might still need a phone number. Special tools, like the Application Programming Interface (API), still need a phone number. It’s a different system from normal use. It’s for business and billing, so it needs extra safety to stop spam and fake use.

OpenAI has opened doors for more users of ChatGPT around the world. ChatGPT has got its much fairer, friendly, and open version for now. Soon, updates will arrive to surprise us with something new.

FAQs


Can I sign up for ChatGPT without a phone number now?

Yes, you can just use your email. No phone number is needed.

Is it safe to use ChatGPT without a phone number?

Yes, it is safe to use ChatGPT without your phone number. Some other tools have been working on it.

Why did ChatGPT ask for a phone number before?

The system helped to protect and stop fake accounts. But now there are better ways to do that.

Will a user ever need to use a phone number with ChatGPT?

It depends on you. If you forget your password or use special tools, it might be necessary, but most people won’t need it.

Does this change work in every country?

Yes, this update has helped worldwide users to work more with ease and efficiency.

Prasanta Raut

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.