X (formerly Twitter) still offers, when signing up via the web flow, the choice between an email address and a phone number. Creating an account without providing a phone number is therefore technically feasible. The real question concerns the conditions under which the platform accepts or refuses this option, as an invisible scoring system can force SMS verification at any time.
X Risk Score: the invisible filter that decides for you
Most guides simply explain how to choose “email” instead of “phone” in the signup form. This information is accurate but incomplete.
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X calculates a risk score with each signup attempt. This score aggregates several signals: IP address, browser fingerprint, geographical consistency, number of accounts already created from the same environment. When the score exceeds a certain threshold, the platform enforces SMS verification, even if the user has chosen email.
Specifically, a person signing up from a standard browser, on a residential connection, with a valid email address and consistent browsing history, has a good chance of never seeing the phone number request. In contrast, using a VPN, a fresh browser, or a disposable email address increases the likelihood of being blocked. The signup process on Twitter without a number therefore depends as much on the technical context as on the form itself.
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Creating an X account with an email address: the method that works
The signup flow remains accessible at x.com/signup from a desktop browser. Here are the conditions that maximize the chances of success without a phone number.
- Use a personal email address (not temporary) linked to a recognized provider like Gmail, Outlook, or ProtonMail. Disposable email services are often detected and trigger the SMS request.
- Connect from a stable residential IP, without VPN or proxy. The platform associates shared networks or datacenter IPs with high risk.
- Allow the browser to retain its cookies and standard fingerprint. An overly “clean” browser profile (private mode, no history, no cookies) resembles automated behavior.
- Provide a consistent name and date of birth. X uses this data to assess the plausibility of the profile.
The verification code is sent to the provided email address. Once this code is entered, the account is created. The platform then offers to select interests and follow a few accounts to personalize the feed.
Login via Google or Apple
X also accepts authentication via an existing Google or Apple account. This method completely bypasses the standard form since the identity is validated by the third-party provider. No phone number is requested during this process, as long as the Google or Apple account itself is verified.
The downside: the X account will be linked to this third-party account. For users looking to compartmentalize their online identities, this option poses a traceability issue.
Forced SMS verification after signup: when X changes the rules
Successfully signing up without a number does not guarantee that you will escape it permanently. X may require post-signup phone verification in several situations.
A sudden change in behavior on the account (spike in tweets, mass subscriptions, logging in from a different country) frequently triggers an SMS request. The system interprets these signals as a risk of spam or compromise.
Temporary account suspension for “suspicious activity” is another common case. Reactivation then requires an SMS, with no email alternative offered. Users managing multiple accounts from the same device are particularly exposed to this scenario.
Functional restrictions without a number
Some platform features remain limited as long as a phone number has not been added to the profile:
- Password recovery in case of loss relies solely on email, which reduces options if that address is itself compromised.
- Two-factor authentication via SMS is not available (only TOTP authentication apps or physical security keys remain accessible).
- Some users report temporary limitations on sending private messages or posting tweets containing external links.
Virtual numbers and temporary emails: why this avenue is closing
Virtual number services (online SMS reception) are regularly cited as a workaround. In practice, X blocks the majority of known VoIP number ranges. Numbers from these services are rejected at the time of entry or never receive the verification code.
The situation is the same for temporary email addresses. Disposable email domains are listed in blacklists that X updates regularly. A temporary email may work one day and be blocked the next.
These methods also pose a sustainability problem. An account created with a virtual number or disposable email becomes irretrievable as soon as the third-party service expires or changes its terms. Losing access to the verification method means losing the account.
Personal data protection on X: what the number implies
The collection of the phone number by X feeds the platform’s user database. This number can be used for advertising targeting, connecting contacts (the “find friends” feature uses address books), and cross-account identification.
A past security incident exposed the data of several hundred million users, including phone numbers. For users concerned about their privacy, limiting the data provided to the platform remains a legitimate precaution.
The most balanced option is to create the account with a dedicated email address (neither temporary nor the main personal one), to enable two-factor authentication via a TOTP app, and to never associate a phone number with the profile as long as the platform does not formally require it. This compromise preserves access to the social network while limiting the exposure of sensitive data.