You can sign up for KakaoTalk with a non-Korean phone number: choose your country, enter the number and type the code KakaoTalk sends by SMS, or ask for a voice call if the screen offers it. Most failures come from the country code, a message filter, or too many requests in a short time, which shows up as verification stuck "in progress" or a message that failed to send. This guide covers the sign-up, the common errors, and how to keep the account when you change phones.
Why foreigners need KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk is the messenger almost everyone in South Korea uses. Universities, employers, landlords, restaurants and many shops use it to contact you, and Korean friends and business partners will usually ask for your KakaoTalk ID rather than your number. If you study, work or travel in Korea, or simply do business with Korean companies, you'll need an account sooner or later.
Signing up with a foreign number
- Install KakaoTalk and accept the terms.
- Choose your country and enter your mobile number without its leading 0.
- Enter the SMS code. If it doesn't arrive, look for a voice call option on the verification screen.
- Create or sign in to a Kakao Account when prompted, usually with an email address.
- Set your name and profile photo.
Screens vary slightly between versions and regions; follow what the app shows.
Common KakaoTalk verification errors
| Message or symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Verification is still in progress | The code hasn't been delivered or you've retried too often | Wait several minutes; don't keep tapping resend |
| Verification message failed to send | Delivery problem with the number or carrier | Check the number and country; try the voice option |
| No SMS at all | Wrong country code, filter or no signal | Recheck the format, filters and coverage |
| Number not accepted | Landline or VoIP number | Use a regular mobile number |
The VoIP point catches many people out; our explainer on non-VoIP vs VoIP numbers shows why apps reject them.
Fixes in order
- Confirm the country and number format.
- Turn off airplane mode and check you have mobile signal.
- Check spam, unknown-senders and blocked lists for the SMS.
- Request once and wait a few minutes before doing anything else.
- Use the voice call option if it's offered.
- If you've tried many times, stop for a few hours; repeated requests prolong the block.
- Still stuck? Contact Kakao through its customer service in the app.
Travelling to Korea
If you arrive in Korea on a data-only eSIM, your home SIM must stay active to receive the KakaoTalk code. Leave it on for SMS on a dual-SIM phone; our guide on receiving codes abroad explains how. Note that some Korean services also need a Korean phone number for identity checks, which is a separate requirement from simply using KakaoTalk.
Using a one-time number
If your number can't receive KakaoTalk's code, a one-time mobile number can. On smsvar.com you choose KakaoTalk and a country, see the price on our prices page, and the code appears on your order screen; no code within 20 minutes means an automatic refund to your balance.
Because KakaoTalk ties the account to the phone number, a temporary phone number is risky for an account you'll keep. Link a Kakao Account email you control, and change to your own number when you can. Don't use extra numbers to create multiple accounts for promotions or messaging campaigns; Kakao restricts them.
Keep your chats when you change phones
- Make sure your Kakao Account email and password work before switching devices.
- Back up your chats in KakaoTalk's settings and set a backup password.
- Verify the number on the new phone, then restore the backup.
Using several Asian messengers? Our guide to WeChat registration for foreigners covers China's equivalent.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use KakaoTalk without a Korean phone number?
Yes. KakaoTalk accepts mobile numbers from many countries; choose your country on the sign-up screen. Some Korean services beyond KakaoTalk may still require a Korean number for identity verification.
What does "verification is still in progress" mean?
Usually the code hasn't arrived yet, or you've requested codes several times. Wait a few minutes, check your filters, and use the voice call option if available. Avoid repeated requests, which can extend the wait.
Can one number have two KakaoTalk accounts?
Generally no. A phone number is linked to one KakaoTalk account at a time, and verifying the same number on another device affects the existing login.
Will I lose my chats if I change my number?
Not if you back up first and keep access to your Kakao Account. Back up your chats before switching, then restore them after verifying on the new phone or number.
Need a number for KakaoTalk's code? Open our virtual number page, choose KakaoTalk and a country, and pay only when the code arrives.