How to create an email without a phone number?
Your phone number is a personal piece of info that’s tied to your identity, location, and even your online habits. That’s why it’s understandable that you may not feel like sharing it. Yet, more and more online services now ask for it by default, and email providers like Gmail are among them.
The good news is you can still create a fully functional email account without ever entering your digits. Whether you’re doing it for privacy, anonymity, or simplicity, there are still several reliable email providers that allow you to create an account without a phone number.
In this guide, we’ll first discuss why phone number verification is now mandatory for most email and other online services. Then, I’ll walk you through the top 5 providers that don’t require it and show you how to create an email without a phone number for each service.
Best email services that doesn’t require a phone number – shortlist
- Proton Mail – best no-phone email service with zero-access architecture
- Tuta – best privacy-first inbox with post-quantum encryption
- Mailo – best customizable email built for EU data protection
- Disroot – best open-source option for anonymous communication
- Atomic Mail – best lightweight encrypted email with multi-layer privacy
Why do email providers ask for your phone number?
While different email providers have different policies, in most cases, they ask for a phone number for these three reasons:
- User verification and spam prevention. Asking for a phone number confirms you’re a real person and helps weed out spammers who use bots for mass account creation.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA). Linking your phone number to your email account adds an extra layer of security that goes beyond passwords.
- Account recovery. Adding a phone number lets you regain account access even if you forget your password or get locked out.
5 email services that don’t require a phone number – detailed list
Even if most providers now require phone number verification, there are still several reliable services that don’t make this step mandatory. Let’s see who they are, what makes them unique, and how you’d go about creating an email account without a phone number.
1. Proton Mail – best for encryption-first email
| 📵 Phone number required: | No |
| 🌍 Jurisdiction: | 🇨🇭 Switzerland |
| 🔐 Encryption type: | End‑to‑end with RSA/AES‑256 + zero‑access |
Proton Mail is a Swiss email provider built with utmost user privacy and secure communication in mind. It offers open-source transparency, end-to-end encryption for users within the network, and an easy way to skip verification and create an email account without a phone number.
Key features
- End-to-end encryption
- Open-source
- Based in Switzerland and backed by Swiss privacy laws
- Robust free plan with advanced security features
- Email aliases
How to sign up
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Head to proton.me/mail and tap the Create a free account button
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Choose the Free plan, enter a new username and password, and hit Start using Proton Mail now. You can choose between @proton.me and @protonmail.com domains for your new email address
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Tap No, thanks once the special offer pops up, solve the CAPTCHA to verify you’re human, and hit Next
- Set your display name, tap Continue, and click on Maybe later when prompted to enter your phone number
2. Tuta (formerly Tutanota) – best for privacy purists
| 📵 Phone number required: | No |
| 🌍 Jurisdiction: | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| 🔐 Encryption type: | End‑to‑end AES‑256 + post‑quantum (Kyber‑1024/X25519) |
The Swiss gave us Proton Mail, and the Germans introduced Tuta. Previously known as Tutanota, Tuta is a simple, sustainable, and fully encrypted email client straight out of Hanover, Germany. It features a clean, no-nonsense interface, utilizes open-source coding, and boasts a fully anonymous registration process that never even mentions your number, let alone requires it.
Key features
- Custom-made end-to-end encryption
- Open-source and ad-free
- No mention of phone number verification whatsoever
- Dedicated Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web apps
How to sign up
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Visit tuta.com and tap Create free account
- Select the Free option at the bottom of the Plan screen, hit Continue, and agree to Tuta’s terms and conditions
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Come up with an email address, pick one of the six domains, add a password, and tick the boxes to proceed
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Jot down the recovery code and keep it safe, as it’s the only way to get back into your Tuta account if you lose your password
3. Mailo – best for customizable control
| 📵 Phone number required: | No |
| 🌍 Jurisdiction: | 🇫🇷 France |
| 🔐 Encryption type: | TLS in transit, server-side encryption; no E2E |
Europeans continue to prioritize privacy, and Mailo is a prime example of this. This security- and privacy-focused European email provider offers a clean and user-friendly interface with a dashboard that connects your inbox with a calendar and other Mailo services. However, it’s worth noting that Mailo’s account creation process is more complex than Proton Mail or Tuta.
Key features
- Uses Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption
- Supports seven different email domains
- Includes calendar, contacts, and cloud storage
How to sign up
- Go to mailo.com and hit the Sign up button
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Choose Create a Mailo account and pick Mailo Free
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Agree to Mailo’s terms, which essentially state that you won’t be able to use your account for third-party services until Mailo’s security team has validated you
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Add an email address, pick one of the seven domains, and choose a password. While a security question and a rescue email address are optional, your name and date of birth are mandatory. However, these are only ever mentioned in case you forget your password
- Solve the CAPTCHA, agree to the terms, and tap Create the account
4. Disroot – best for open-sorce enthusiasts
| 📵 Phone number required: | No |
| 🌍 Jurisdiction: | 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
| 🔐 Encryption type: | TLS + optional GPG for end‑to‑end |
If you’re looking for an alternative to mainstream email providers, Disroot might just be the solution for you. This non-commercial platform prides itself on its privacy-focused approach and offers a secure email service that doesn’t require a phone number during sign-up. However, approval can take up to 48 hours.
Key features
- Open-source
- No ads, tracking, profiling, or data mining
- Community-funded and volunteer-run service
How to sign up
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Type in disroot.org in your web browser and hit Sign Up
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Specify your email and display name, and answer a security question. Keep in mind that the answer must be at least 150 characters long
- Add a verification email that’ll be removed later on. You can also choose to keep it if you ever need to reset your password
- Choose a password and click Continue
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Add the security code that was sent to the email address you used for verification, hit Check Code, and complete the process
5. Atomic Mail – best for straightforward inboxes
| 📵 Phone number required: | No |
| 🌍 Jurisdiction: | 🇪🇪 Estonia |
| 🔐 Encryption type: | TLS + optional end-to-end via password, file, or proprietary Atomic Encryption |
Despite being one of the newer kids on the block, Atomic Mail has already made a name for itself in the email space. The privacy-focused provider offers a secure number-free email experience, strong PGP encryption, support for aliases, and a lightweight, no-frills inbox.
Key features
- Utilizes PGP encryption
- Includes server-side spam filtering
- Offers aliases for protecting your identity
How to sign up
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Head to atomicmail.io, enter a username, and hit Create inbox
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Add your first name, and optionally, your last name, and tap Submit
- Confirm the email you’ve chosen and create a strong password on the following screen
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Hit Download & Proceed to save the seed phrase, which is the only way to recover your account if you forget your password. You can also use your own seed phrase
- Tap Sign in Now and log in to your new email account
Benefits of creating an email without a phone number
While a phone number serves its purpose in terms of security and account recovery, creating an email account without a phone number is also a good idea, and for more than one reason:
- Enhanced privacy. Your identity can’t be tied to your inbox or tracked across online services if you never add a phone number.
- Better security. Not linking your number can also improve security as it reduces the risk of SIM swapping.
- Spam protection. Not sharing your number prevents providers from selling your data and removes marketing texts and robocalls from the equation.
- Improved accessibility. Skipping the phone number step makes creating, verifying, and accessing your email account quicker and easier.
- Temporary use. One-time registration or short-term email use is more convenient if you don’t have to deal with phone number verifications.
Final thoughts
Creating an email account without a phone number isn’t only possible, but it’s often the better choice. Whether you need one for the sake of privacy or simplicity, a phoneless email account protects your identity, boosts your security, and helps you avoid spam.
These accounts are ideal for users who want quick email setup and access, be it for short-term use or temporary throwaway accounts. Yet, none of this would be possible without privacy-focused providers like Tuta, Mailo, Disroot, Atomic Mail, and the king of encrypted numberless emails – Proton Mail.
FAQ
Can I really create an email without a phone number?
Yes, you can. There are a few privacy-focused providers that let you create an email account without a phone number. Even better, signing up for these is usually faster than signing up with regular providers.
What email does not require a mobile number?
Several excellent services allow you to create a new email without a phone number. These include Proton Mail, Tuta, Mailo, Disroot, and Atomic Mail, most of which also offer additional features such as end-to-end encryption, spam prevention, and aliases.
What’s the best email without a phone number?
While all providers mentioned above are excellent picks for anyone who wants to create a new email account without a phone number, the number one spot has to go to Proton Mail. After all, it combines end-to-end encryption, Swiss jurisdiction, and a user-friendly interface.
Is it safe to use an email address without a phone number?
Yes, it’s completely safe to create an email address without a phone number. In fact, it can be even safer than signing up with a phone number, as it helps you avoid risks such as SIM swap attacks or phone-based phishing attempts.
How to make a Gmail without a phone number in 2025?
Unfortunately, creating an email account without a phone number via Gmail is no longer possible. While the well-known provider previously allowed users to skip the phone number verification step, it has now become a mandatory part of the registration process.