The Exact Error Message and Where It Appears
Google produces two distinct error strings during phone verification. The first:
“This phone number has been used too many times for verification”
This appears during Google account creation or sign-in, when Google asks you to confirm you’re a real person, as documented in Google Account Help: Verify your account.
The second, related message:
“This phone number cannot be used for verification”
This related message means the number has reached Google’s limit on the number of accounts each phone number can create. It has its own page on when a number cannot be used.
Searches often drop the last two words, but only the two full messages above are Google’s wording.
Why Google Shows This Error
Two limits trigger these messages, and two other factors decide whether a replacement number gets through.
The number reached the verification limit
Google limits how many times a single phone number can be used for verification, to protect against abuse. Google publishes no figure for that limit.
Per-number account limit
Google separately limits the number of accounts each phone number can create. Once that limit is reached, Google shows the second message above. These are two different limits, which is why the wording differs.
Carrier restrictions
Google’s help page on access to certain services says Google “limit[s] some carriers that are often used for abuse” and that trying a number from a different carrier may help.
VoIP and virtual numbers
Wikipedia defines a virtual number as a telephone number without a directly associated telephone line, and notes that real mobile numbers issued through mobile network operators can often be used with services that require SMS verification. So for Google, the question is whether carriers file a virtual number under mobile or under VoIP: filed as mobile, it gets through, while online/VoIP lines and the shared numbers from public receive-SMS sites often get turned away by Google. NIST SP 800-63B-4 treats SMS/voice (PSTN) verification as “restricted” and tells verifiers to weigh risk indicators such as number porting and other abnormal behavior.
| Number type | Carrier classification | Accepted by Google? |
|---|---|---|
| Non-VoIP mobile (US or Australia) | Mobile | Works |
| Virtual number classified as mobile | Mobile (non-VoIP) | Passes |
| Online / VoIP number | VoIP | Often refused |
| Shared public receive-SMS number | Varies | Often refused |
This is why two virtual numbers from different providers can produce opposite results: the line classification, not the provider’s label, is what counts.
Common mistake: Using a number from a free public receive-SMS site. Numbers like these are turned down often, and anyone who opens the page can read the code.
How to Fix the Error: Step-by-Step
Use a different number, such as a friend’s or family member’s. This is Google’s own fix: it says a family member’s or friend’s number may work.
Try a number from a different carrier. Google suggests this for the per-number account limit, and for access to certain services it limits some carriers that are often used for abuse.
Use a non-VoIP mobile number. One from the United States or Australia is accepted by every service, and the table above shows where virtual numbers fit. Avoid shared public receive-SMS numbers.
Use the QR code or device-check option if available. On phones and tablets, Google offers a QR code or device check as an alternative to SMS during the flow for access to certain services. If Google says the device has been used too many times, use another device or SMS.
Decline verification in the certain-services flow. If the request comes from the flow for access to certain services, you can choose not to verify; the Google account still works, and only those services stay unavailable.
Pro tip: When you use a friend’s number, the code goes to their phone, so make sure they can pass it on as soon as you request it.
How to Avoid This Error Next Time
Decision framework — which number to use:
- Your number shows this message → use a different number, such as a friend’s or family member’s.
- Need a separate number for privacy → get a dedicated non-VoIP mobile number (see the Gmail virtual number page).
- In the flow for access to certain services on a phone or tablet → try the QR code or device-check option first.
- Those services not needed → you can choose not to verify; the account still works without them.
Prevention checklist:
- Use a number you plan to keep for your Google Account, not one shared with strangers.
- Choose a number from a mainstream mobile carrier rather than an online or VoIP provider.
- Avoid public receive-SMS sites for Google verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “This phone number has been used too many times for verification” mean on Google?
Google limits how many times a phone number can be used for verification, to protect against abuse, and this number has reached that limit. Google publishes no wait time or reset rule, so the practical fix is a different number.
Why does Google say my phone number cannot be used for verification?
“This phone number cannot be used for verification” is a separate error. It appears when a number has reached Google’s limit on the number of accounts each phone number can create. Google’s fix is the same: use a different number from a friend, family member, or a different carrier.
Can I use a friend’s or family member’s phone number to verify my Google account?
Yes. Google says a family member’s or friend’s number may work. The code goes to that person’s phone, so they need to be available to share it with you.
Why are VoIP and online numbers often refused?
It comes down to line type: if carriers register a virtual number as a mobile line it passes, but online/VoIP numbers and public receive-SMS numbers shared by strangers are refused often. For access to certain services, Google also says it limits some carriers that are often used for abuse.
Is there a way to access a Google account without giving Google my personal phone number?
Sometimes. Google says it sometimes requires phone verification before account creation or sign-in, so it is not asked for every time. In the flow for access to certain services, phones and tablets may offer a QR code or device check instead of SMS, and you can choose not to verify and use the account without those services. For a separate private number, a non-VoIP mobile line is the most reliable choice.