Receive LINE verification SMS online

Main markets

Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia

Registration

Phone number with an SMS code

Transfer to new phone

QR code from the old phone, or number and password

Chat history

Follows only through a backup (Google Drive or iCloud)

One number

One LINE account

Japan age check

ID search needs age verification through a Japanese carrier

How moving LINE to a new phone works

LINE runs on one phone at a time. To move it, current versions show a QR code on the old phone that the new phone scans; that is the easiest route and does not need an SMS. Without the old phone, LINE uses the phone number and your LINE password, with an SMS code to the number.

That is where temporary numbers cause trouble. If the old phone is gone and the number is gone, neither route works. Plan the move while at least one of them is still in your hands.

People most often use one of our numbers for LINE to:

• Registering LINE to talk with contacts in Japan, Thailand or Taiwan without sharing a personal number
• Trying LINE before moving it to your own number

Many apps expect the number you keep. We help with the cases above; we do not help anyone reach an account that is not theirs — see our acceptable use policy.

Chats follow only through a backup

LINE does not store your full chat history on its servers for you to download later. On Android, backups go to Google Drive; on iPhone, to iCloud. Newer versions protect them with a PIN. Moving between Android and iPhone has its own limits on how much history comes across.

Turn on backup in settings early, not the day you change phones.

Email and password: what keeps the account yours

Registering an email address and setting a password in LINE's account settings gives the account a second anchor. It is used for transfers, for signing in to LINE on PC, and for recovery.

If you registered LINE with a rented number, add the email and password on the first day. Then change the phone number in settings to one you will keep, while the rental is still active.

Japan: the age check for ID search

In Japan, letting people find you by LINE ID, or searching for others by ID, requires age verification, and that verification runs through a Japanese mobile carrier contract in your name. Users with foreign or temporary numbers can still add friends by QR code, by invitation link or by phone number in contacts — just not by ID search.

That rule protects younger users and is not something a different number can get around.

One number, one LINE

A phone number belongs to one LINE account. Registering a number that already has LINE starts the transfer of that account to your phone, which is why a used or public number is a risk: you could land in someone else's account, or someone could later take yours. A fresh number avoids both.

The "send me the code" scam

LINE accounts are taken over by messages from a friend's hijacked account asking you to share the verification code LINE just sent you, or to "help with a vote". The code is for your account; sharing it hands the account over. LINE staff and friends never need it.

Installing LINE and verifying the number

When the code does not arrive

In order of how often each one is the real cause:

1. No SMS arrived
   Check the country code, wait, and request once more. If LINE offers a call, choose SMS.
2. LINE says an account already uses this number
   Continuing would move that account to you. Use a fresh number instead.
3. You cannot move LINE to a new phone
   Use the QR code on the old phone, or your number and password. Without either, contact LINE support.
4. ID search is unavailable
   In Japan, it needs carrier age verification. Add friends by QR code or link instead.
5. A friend asked for your LINE code
   Their account is probably hijacked. Do not share it.

Working out which case you are in

1. Will you keep this LINE account? Yes Set email, password and backup, then move to your own number. No A rented number covers short use.
2. Is the old phone still available when you switch? Yes Use the QR transfer. No You need the number and password.
3. Is backup turned on? Yes History will follow. No Turn it on now.
4. Did someone ask for your code? Yes Refuse. No Carry on.

Before you request another code

• Use a fresh number
• Register an email and a LINE password
• Turn on chat backup
• Change to your own number before the rental ends
• Keep the old phone until the transfer is done
• Never share a code

Which kind of number to use

Checked 2026-09-28 by the FreeSmsOtp team. Prices, stock and delivery figures on this page are live and come from our own orders — how we measure.

Countries with LINE numbers now

Refreshed every hour. How we measure delivery.

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