Email is essential, both as a primary method of communication at work and in our personal lives. You'll need an email address for banking, shopping, social media, and more.

It's easy to set up an email account, but email account providers often ask for personal details that some may not want to share. That includes a phone number. 

In this guide, we'll explain why email providers need your phone number and which services don't ask for it.

Why do email providers ask for a phone number?

Email providers typically ask for a phone number during account registration. 

Here are a few key reasons why:

Two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is often a quick and easy way to protect your account. It's triggered when you log into your account, at which point you'll need a secondary way to prove your identity. A code is triggered and sent to your phone number to prove you're the real account owner.

This safety measure is a major way that email providers protect your data, preventing unauthorized users from logging into your address and getting ahold of personal details.

Account recovery

Many email providers use a phone number for account recovery — if an account is compromised or you need to make any major changes. Depending on the provider, you may have the option to use another email address as a recovery method.

What are the benefits of setting up an email account without a phone number?

Security is one of the biggest concerns for those creating an email address. Providing a phone number can raise privacy concerns, and it can be unclear what an email provider does with the information we provide. They may even scan our emails to serve us ads. This could potentially lead to targeted advertising, data breaches, or having your information sold to an outside party.

Next, the same systems used to keep your account safe can make it significantly harder to recover it in certain situations. If your cell phone falls into the wrong hands and you lose control of your two-factor authentication or recovery codes, it can significantly disrupt your email access and potentially lead to scams or identity theft.

Lastly, not everyone uses a cell phone. Email accounts that don't require a phone number can make email more widely accessible.

Which email providers don't ask for a phone number?

The most common email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook all require a phone number to sign up. 

However, several providers offer email addresses without a phone number:

ProtonMail

ProtonMail is an email alternative that focuses on security with powerful end-to-end encryption. A phone number not required to sign up. As a Switzerland-based provider, online safety is supported by stringent privacy laws. 

ProtonMail offers a free account with basic access, as well as a paid version that unlocks more features. 

Tuta

Like ProtonMail, Tuta focuses on end-to-end encryption. Tuta is based in Germany, which has stricter privacy regulations compared to providers based in the U.S. 

Tuta offers encryption of all emails and contacts, doesn't require a phone number, and provides transparent privacy policies. Free accounts let you get started quickly, while premium accounts offer custom domains and expanded storage capabilities.

Guerrilla Mail

Guerrilla Mail is a free email service. It allows users to create temporary, disposable email addresses that can provide a buffered layer of security. It also features spam protection without compromising your personal details. 

Guerrilla Mail boasts a non-registration format, which can be a great alternative for creating temporary accounts or registering for non-essential sites when you don't want to use any information tied to you.

How to make an email without a phone number

Setting up an email account without a phone number is simple and quick. Each provider has its own steps for creating an account, but we'll walk through them to show just how easy it is. 

Let's jump in:

ProtonMail

To create an email account without a phone number with ProtonMail:

1. On ProtonMail's official website, select the option to create an account.
2. Provide your desired username.
3. Create a strong password.
4. Select your desired plan; the free option is a great way to try it out and upgrade later if you want more features.
5. Skip the phone verification step.

Tuta

Follow these steps to create an email without a phone number using Tuta:

1. On Tuta's website, select the option to create a free email account.
2. Confirm the free account.
3. Fill in the required fields for username, password, and the other requested information.
4. Skip the request for phone verification to complete the setup.

Guerrilla Mail

With Guerrilla Mail, you can create an email without a phone number by doing the following:

1. On Guerrilla Mail's website, select the option to create an email account.
2. A randomly generated email will be displayed, which you can accept or customize.
3. Create your password and select one of the available domains.

The bottom line

ProtonMail, Tuta, and Guerrilla Mail all provide email services that don't require a phone number.

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