If you’ve spent any time searching for a virtual number for WhatsApp in Pakistan lately, you’re far from alone. It’s one of those topics that keeps coming up, and honestly, it makes sense. Maybe you need a separate number for your business. Maybe you’re tired of your personal number floating around on every online marketplace. Or maybe you just can’t get OTP codes to come through on your current SIM, no matter how many times you try.
Whatever the reason, virtual numbers have quietly become a go-to fix for a lot of everyday headaches. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how virtual phone numbers for WhatsApp actually work, what your options look like in Pakistan, and how to pick the right provider without wasting money.
Why Are Virtual Numbers So Popular in Pakistan Right Now?
Pakistan’s WhatsApp user base is growing fast; it’s one of the biggest in South Asia at this point. People use it for everything from family group chats to closing business deals. But a few stubborn problems keep driving people to look for alternatives to their regular SIMs.
The OTP headache is real. Ask anyone who’s tried registering a new WhatsApp account recently. Verification codes show up late, or they don’t show up at all. Network congestion, carrier restrictions, random SIM glitchesany of these can block that simple six-digit code from reaching you. For people fed up trying to bypass OTP issues in Pakistan, a virtual number that receives codes over the internet cuts right through the mess.
Running two accounts shouldn’t be this hard. If you want a personal WhatsApp and a business WhatsApp on the same phone, the traditional route means two physical SIMs and a dual-SIM handset. That’s annoying. A virtual phone number for WhatsApp gives you a second account without buying another SIM or carrying a second device.
Privacy matters more than it used to. We’ve all been there: you list something for sale online, and suddenly your phone won’t stop buzzing with spam calls. Having a separate number for online marketplaces, social media sign-ups, and classified ads puts a real buffer between your personal life and the internet.
So What Is a Virtual Number, Exactly?
Think of it as a fully functional phone number that lives in the cloud instead of on a tiny chip in your phone. You get it through a service provider, pick which country you want it from (US, UK, or dozens of others), and start using it right away, no SIM card, no trip to a telecom shop.
Here’s what you can actually do with one:
- Receive verification codes for WhatsApp, Telegram, and other platforms
- Make and receive calls using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
- Use it as a dedicated second number for work, privacy, or anything else
Everything runs over the internet. Your calls and messages travel through Wi-Fi or mobile data instead of traditional cell towers. That’s why a WhatsApp virtual number works perfectly fine even if you’re sitting in Lahore using a US or UK number.
How Numero Fits Into the Picture
Numero eSIM is a digital telecom platform that’s been around since 2018. It offers virtual phone numbers from over 80 countries, VoIP calling and SMS, and eSIM data plans all packed into one app for iOS and Android.
For people in Pakistan, Numero provides a pretty straightforward way to get a WhatsApp-compatible virtual number. Here’s why it works:
They have dedicated WhatsApp numbers. Numero actually separates its social media numbers into WhatsApp-compatible ones and numbers meant for other platforms. When you pick a WhatsApp number, you know before you pay that it’ll handle activation and OTP verification.
No physical SIM required. The whole thing is digital. Sign up, choose your country and number, pay online, and you’re ready to go through the Numero app. No courier waiting, no popping SIM trays open.
Numbers from 80+ countries. Need a US number for WhatsApp? A UK one? You’ve got options, whether it’s for building credibility with international clients, personal preference, or just platform compatibility.
Calling and SMS come built in. It’s not just for verification. Numero numbers can handle real calls through VoIP, and you can add local calling credit if you want domestic rates within a specific country.
Types of Virtual Numbers You’ll Find on Numero
Not every virtual number does the same thing. Numero breaks its offerings into a few distinct categories depending on what you need.
Social Media Numbers
These come in two flavors:
- WhatsApp numbers are built specifically to work with WhatsApp (and most other platforms too). This is what you want if WhatsApp verification is the main goal.
- Other social media numbers are designed for Telegram, Instagram, and similar apps.
If you’re looking at virtual number options beyond WhatsApp, say for Telegram specifically, we’ve written a separate piece on virtual numbers for Telegram and social media in Pakistan.
Mobile Numbers
These are your general-purpose numbers for calls, messages, and account activations. The most popular picks tend to be from the US, UK, and Ukraine. You can grab just the number, or bundle it with local calling credit if you plan to make outgoing calls within that country.
Toll-Free Numbers
These are aimed at businesses. A toll-free number lets you receive incoming calls from up to five different lines, handy if you’re running customer support or an e-commerce operation from Pakistan.
How to Actually Get a Virtual Number for WhatsApp (Step by Step)
Here’s how the process works through Numero’s website:
- Create an account with your email address.
- Go to Phone Numbers → Social Media Numbers → WhatsApp Number.
- Pick your country and review what’s included, requirements, local calling support, etc.
- Check the number’s features: incoming calls, outgoing calls, and WhatsApp support.
- Choose a plan and pay.
- Download the Numero app and link your account to start using the number.
If you go through the Numero app instead, the flow is almost the same, except you register with your phone number and everything’s already connected after purchase, no extra linking needed.
Once you’ve got your number, just open WhatsApp, enter the virtual number during setup, and grab the OTP through the Numero app. For anyone specifically wanting a US-based number, our guide on registering a US WhatsApp number from Pakistan breaks the whole thing down.
What’s It Actually Like Using WhatsApp with a Virtual Number?
Let me set expectations clearly. A WhatsApp virtual number works pretty much the same as any regular WhatsApp account. You can send messages, join groups, join voice and video calls, and set up a business profile, all the usual stuff.
But there are a few things worth knowing before you jump in:
- OTP codes come through the app, not your carrier. Since verification codes arrive through Numero instead of your network’s SMS, you skip the delays that physical SIMs cause.
- You need decent internet. VoIP calling and SMS run on Wi-Fi or mobile data, so if your connection is spotty, call quality will suffer.
- Not every number supports every feature. Always check whether a specific number handles incoming calls, outgoing calls, and WhatsApp activation before buying. Numero labels this clearly on each listing, so there shouldn’t be surprises.
Virtual Number vs. Physical SIM: How Do They Compare?
This is the comparison most people in Pakistan want to see, so here it is:
| Feature | Virtual Number | Physical SIM |
| Requires a SIM card slot | No | Yes |
| Works internationally | Yes, from any country with internet | Limited to carrier roaming |
| OTP delivery method | Through the app (internet-based) | Via carrier SMS |
| Privacy | Keeps your real number hidden | Your real number is exposed |
| Setup time | Minutes | Requires a store visit or delivery |
| Multiple accounts on one phone | Yes, easily | Needs dual SIM or second device |
| Monthly cost | Varies by plan, often affordable | Varies by carrier |
| Call quality dependency | Internet speed | Network signal strength |
For a deeper dive with pros and cons, including how eSIM stacks up against virtual numbers, check out our comparison of virtual numbers versus physical SIMs for WhatsApp.
Who Gets the Most Value From a Virtual Number in Pakistan?
A few groups tend to benefit more than others:
Freelancers and remote workers. Pakistan’s freelancing scene is huge. A virtual number lets you set up work-specific WhatsApp and Telegram accounts so client conversations stay separate from your personal chats.
Small business owners. A dedicated WhatsApp Business number makes your operation look more professional. Customers reach you on an official-looking number, and you don’t have to give out your personal one.
Students. Signing up for online courses, international platforms, or foreign services? A virtual number keeps your primary number out of databases you don’t fully trust.
Privacy-focused users. If you post on classified sites or sign up for unfamiliar services, a buffer number saves you from spam and unwanted contact.
E-commerce sellers. If you sell on social media marketplaces, you probably need a business-facing number. A virtual phone number for WhatsApp keeps things organized without the hassle of carrying two phones.
Is This Even Legal in Pakistan?
This comes up a lot, and it’s a fair question. Using a virtual number for legitimate purposes, privacy, business, and personal convenience is a common practice around the world. Numero operates as a registered telecom service provider, and its numbers run on legal VoIP infrastructure.
That said, telecom regulations vary by country, and Pakistan’s PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) has its own set of rules. For a thorough look at this topic, read our article on the legality of using a virtual number for WhatsApp in Pakistan.
A Few Practical Tips Before You Get Started
Some things to keep in mind as you go through the process:
- Match the country to your purpose. If you’re working with US clients, a US number builds trust. For basic WhatsApp verification, any supported country will do the job.
- Confirm WhatsApp compatibility before buying. Not all virtual numbers work with WhatsApp. Numero labels this clearly, but always double-check before you pay.
- Don’t let your subscription lapse. Virtual numbers run on subscriptions. If your plan expires, you could lose the number and anything tied to it.
- Make sure your internet is reliable. Everything depends on your connection. Stable Wi-Fi or solid 4G keeps calls clear and OTP codes arriving on time.
- Get the Numero app. You can buy numbers on the website, but the app is where you’ll actually use them, making calls, receiving codes, and managing everything.
Can I use a virtual number for WhatsApp in Pakistan?
Yes. Providers like Numero offer virtual phone numbers from multiple countries that work with WhatsApp activation. You buy the number, get the OTP through the app, and register your account. No physical SIM card is needed.
How do I receive WhatsApp OTP on a virtual number?
After purchasing a WhatsApp-compatible number from Numero, the verification code shows up in the Numero app. You plug that code into WhatsApp, and you’re done. The whole thing happens online.
Can I use a virtual number for Telegram too?
Yes. Numero has numbers that support Telegram and other social media platforms. Some WhatsApp numbers also work with Telegram, while others are specifically designed for non-WhatsApp platforms.
Is a virtual number permanent?
Virtual numbers are subscription-based, so as long as you renew, you keep the number. Let it lapse, and you risk losing both the number and any accounts registered to it.
Do I need a special phone to use a virtual number?
Not at all. Any smartphone running iOS or Android with the Numero app installed and a working internet connection is all you need. The number lives entirely in the app.
Final Thoughts
For people in Pakistan, a virtual number for WhatsApp is practical and extremely popular, and requests have gone from a niche trick to something almost everyone uses. Whether you’re having OTP delivery problems, need a clean separation between personal and business communication, or just want your real number off public platforms, the right virtual number makes daily communication a lot smoother.
Numero brings together virtual numbers from 80+ countries, VoIP calling, and eSIM data plans under one roof. You can browse what’s available at Numero eSIM, or grab the app from the App Store or Google Play and get set up in a few minutes.
