Can several of us share one number?
Yes, up to five email addresses, and any of them can answer. Roommates selling a couch, a couple renting out a suite, two partners running a service. Whoever replies, it goes out from the same number, so the buyer never learns there is more than one of you.
Can I use it for verification codes?
No. These are internet numbers, and banks, marketplaces, and app signups usually refuse them. If that is what you need, this is the wrong product. We would rather say so now.
Can I find an old conversation later?
It is in your email, so you search for it the way you search for anything else. No app to reopen, no separate history to remember.
Can I text someone first?
No. A conversation starts when someone texts your number. After that, you can reply as long as the exchange lasts. This is what keeps the service clean.
Will they see my email address?
Never. Your replies come from the listing number, and the first one identifies a public reply label—for example, “Sofa seller via TheLocalRing. Reply STOP to end.” You can choose the label; until then it says “Listing contact.” They never see your account name, email, or personal phone number.
Which email providers work?
Gmail, Outlook and Hotmail, Yahoo, and Proton, all verified end to end. Plus-tagged aliases work on Gmail, Outlook, and Proton (Yahoo doesn't deliver to plus-tagged addresses).
What about calls, pictures, or voicemail?
On a 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day pass, texts only: a caller hears a short spoken message asking them to text instead. On Monthly with a Canadian number you can point it at your own phone, and calls ring it — 300 minutes a month are included, and an email tells you who called even when you miss it. Picture messages and voicemail are not supported on any plan.
How long can my replies be?
Text messages have length limits, so long replies are trimmed to about 1,500 characters. Short and direct works best anyway.
Where do you have numbers?
The United States and Canada. Enter your postal code or city when you sign up and you get a number local to it. A U.S. number can text people in both countries; a Canadian number texts within Canada.
Do the short passes renew?
No. The 1-Day, 3-Day, and 7-Day passes are one-time purchases. Only the Monthly Pass renews, and it keeps the same number until you cancel.
What happens when my pass ends?
Forwarding pauses at the exact expiry time. We reserve the number for you for seven more days. After that, it leaves your account and may return to our shared pool or be released. We cannot promise it back, and future texts may eventually reach its next holder.