Is SMS the only way to register with Google App Engine?

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+1 Q:

Is SMS the only way to register with Google App Engine?

I don't have a cell phone, but Google App Engine needs an SMS message to verify the account. Is there another way to complete the registration?

I'm surprised they don't use a Gmail account to do this.

Edit : Google created one for me, problem solved.

+1 A:

They probably don't use Gmail because there are too many Gmail accounts in the wild. Gmail now requires verification by SMS or a voice call, but it didn't always. App Engine is limited to SMS only (no automated voice call option).

You probably have a friend whose cell phone you can use.

Matthew Flaschen 2010-04-21 16:32:42

I thought of that too, but :<1> Does it cost to receive SMS on my friend's phone ?<2> Will Google send SMS to someone else to verify my Google App ?<3> I still don't understand why Google needs SMS, why not my email account like Yahoo Email to verify, if I can use a friend's phone, what's Google's point ? I guess they want to collect cell phone numbers for their other uses.

Frank 2010-04-21 16:38:18

1. For most plans it should only cost a few cents (obviously check first). 2. Google has no way of knowing you're using a friend's phone. They won't use the number except for verification (http://code.google.com/appengine/kb/sms.html#number) .

Matthew Flaschen 2010-04-21 16:42:24

@Frank: (3), because they don't want to give away one GAE account per Yahoo email address in the world, but they're happy to give away one (or a limited number, I don't know) per cellphone number. Don't pick a friend who's likely ever to want their own GAE account, because they might not be able to get one to the same number. You'd have to ask them for the exact thinking, but basically it's easier to get hold of 1000 email addresses than to get hold of 1000 cellphones. Google is giving you quite a lot of free stuff with a GAE account.

Steve Jessop 2010-04-21 16:44:52

@Steve : Thanks for the info, I can understand that now, but I'm stuck without a cell phone, I wish Google can make some exceptions for someone without a cell phone.

Frank 2010-04-21 17:18:17

Actually Google have instigated quite strong protection on new gmail accounts, at least here in the UK @googlemail.co.uk addresses require SMS confirmation as well.

hjhndr 2010-04-21 16:32:54

Here in Brazil is required as well. [email protected]

Jorge 2010-04-21 16:43:26

+2 A:

You could sign up with any web based sms service that enables you to receive sms via virtual phone numbers.

The first one i found that offers a free trial was esendex.co.uk.

But quick search will get you many more.

Or you could just ask somebody to lend you his phone for 5min in ... receiving sms is free after all.

ntziolis 2010-04-21 16:41:23

Good idea, but it failed when I tried to register. I couldn't find any other sites that would provide a free number (needed for Google).

Frank 2010-04-21 17:15:02

+4 A:

No. If you don't have a way to receive SMS, you can fill out the SMS issues form to have an account created for you.

Wooble 2010-04-21 19:47:23

This is the official answer - see the FAQ: http://code.google.com/appengine/kb/sms.html

ire_and_curses 2010-04-21 22:33:23

ansaurus

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Is SMS the only way to register with Google App Engine?

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