Saily is the travel eSIM app from Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. Since June 2026 it has offered a US +1 phone number as an add-on to its data eSIMs. The number can make and receive calls, send and receive SMS, and receive 2FA codes. Incoming SMS is free and unlimited, so you do not need a calling plan just to receive codes. As of September 2026, the number costs $11.99 a year on annual billing. Enter promo code CHINA at checkout for $5 off, and the first year costs just $6.99.
If you live outside the US and want a cheap US number for verification codes, this is one of the easiest options. Everything happens inside the app: no US address and no one in the US to activate a SIM for you. The trade-off is that it is not a line from an established carrier like Ultra or Tello, so you need to test it with any bank app before relying on it.
At a glance
Prices and rules are as of September 2026. Check the Saily app for the current details.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number fee | $11.99/year, or $6.99 for the first year with promo code CHINA. Monthly billing is also available at about $0.99/month |
| Incoming SMS | Free and unlimited, no calling plan needed |
| Outgoing SMS / calls | Needs a call and SMS pack, from about $0.99, priced by the country you are in |
| Incoming calls | Can be received anywhere. Users report answered calls may use plan minutes |
| Line type | US +1 virtual number. Some lookup tools show it as Mobile, but Saily warns some services may flag it as VoIP |
| ID check | After purchase, upload a passport or government ID and complete a face check in the app. Approval usually takes minutes |
| Keep-alive | You keep the number as long as the subscription stays active. If it lapses, expect to lose the number |
Who it is for
- Good fit: signing up for overseas apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp or ChatGPT. A privacy number for deliveries, hotels and shopping. A second number next to a carrier line like Ultra PayGo.
- Poor fit: your only number for banks and brokers. Banks check line type and number history, and also look at your address and device. A virtual number like Saily's is not guaranteed to pass. Test first and keep a carrier number as backup. See How to choose a US number.
Step 1: Install the app and sign up
- Search for Saily in the App Store or Google Play. If your store region does not list it, use an Apple ID from another region. On Android you can also download it from saily.com.
- Sign up with email, Apple or Google.
Step 2: Buy the number (annual + promo code CHINA)
- In the app, open Phone number and choose a US number.
- Don't pick a destination yet. The purchase screen asks you to pick a destination, which is a call and SMS plan. Skip it and buy just the number. Incoming SMS is free, and you can buy a plan for wherever you are later if you need to call or text out.
- Choose annual billing ($11.99/year).
- Enter promo code
CHINAin the promo code field at checkout. Check that $5 has been taken off and the total is $6.99 before you pay. - Saily accepts Visa / Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay. If a foreign card is declined, try another card or payment method.
Step 3: Verify your ID
- After paying, upload a passport or government-issued ID and complete the face check. Use your own real documents.
- Wait for approval, usually a few minutes.
Step 4: Install the eSIM and set it up
- Once approved, install the number's eSIM with the one-tap option in the app.
- On iPhone: Settings → Cellular. Rename the line to "Saily US" so it is easy to tell apart.
- Turn off cellular data for this line. If you will not use it for data, turn off its data roaming too, to avoid unexpected charges.
- Keep the line switched on so SMS can arrive. Your main SIM keeps handling calls and data.
Step 5: Test before you rely on it
- Text and call the number from another phone and confirm both arrive.
- Try a verification code from a low-stakes app first, such as Telegram or an email service. Users report that Telegram, WhatsApp, ChatGPT and PayPal US generally accept it.
- Then link more important accounts. Add an authenticator app or passkey as a second 2FA method wherever you can.
Whether SMS arrives reliably in mainland China depends on whether the eSIM can register on a local network, and on your local network conditions. Test it yourself once it is set up, and follow local telecom and network rules.
Keep-alive checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| At sign-up | Turn on auto-renew with a card that won't expire soon |
| Monthly | Receive one SMS to confirm the line works |
| Before each yearly renewal | Check that your card is still valid. From the second year, renewal is at the regular yearly price shown in the app |
| Quarterly | Trigger a real verification code to confirm linked services still reach you |
| Before changing phones | Check how to move the eSIM in the app. Don't just delete it |
Compared with other US numbers
| Option | Cost | Line type | Setup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily US number | $6.99 first year (annual + promo code) | Virtual (some services may flag it as VoIP) | In-app ID check, easiest | App sign-ups, privacy number, backup |
| Ultra Mobile PayGo | $3 / 30 days | T-Mobile carrier line | Needs a SIM or an active line | Banks, long-term keep-alive |
| Tello / US Mobile | From $5–10 | Carrier line | Activation abroad is restricted | Banks, more features |
| Google Voice | Free | VoIP | Needs an existing US number | Low-risk services |
A practical combination: Ultra PayGo for banks + Saily for everyday sign-ups. With two separate numbers, if one has a problem, you still have the other.
FAQ
Do I need a calling plan just to receive codes? No. Incoming SMS is free and unlimited, so you only pay the number fee. Buy a call and SMS pack only when you want to text or call out.
Will it work with US banks? Not guaranteed. It is a virtual number, so some banks reject it or their texts may not arrive, and bank risk checks look at more than line type. Use a carrier number as your main number for important accounts and keep Saily as a backup.
Does it work outside the US? Yes. It is designed for people abroad, and Saily says you can receive calls and SMS anywhere. The eSIM line still has to connect to a local network, so test it when you arrive somewhere new.
Can existing Saily users use the promo code CHINA? No. It only works for a new user's first purchase.
Sources
- https://saily.com/
- https://support.saily.com/hc/en-us/sections/27948609490332-Saily-Phone-Number
- https://support.saily.com/hc/en-us/articles/27948598334620-What-is-a-Saily-phone-number
- https://saily.com/refer-a-friend/
- https://saily.com/legal/referral-program-terms-and-conditions/
- https://support.saily.com/hc/en-us/articles/14262137198236-Does-Saily-have-a-referral-program
