API keys, limits and errors
Everything a developer needs on the first day with the API, in one page.
How do I get an SMS Nitro API key?
Top up once, open the API section of the dashboard and create a key. Keys can be rotated at any time; the old one stops working immediately. Use it as a bearer token on the REST API or as the api_key parameter on the SMS-Activate-compatible endpoint.
Limits
- Buying: up to 500 purchases per minute per account, across REST and handler_api; REST also caps purchases at 500 per minute per IP.
- Resending an SMS: up to 30 requests per minute per IP. Polling an order every few seconds is fine.
- Each account has one active key; generating a new one in the dashboard revokes the old one.
Common responses
- NO_NUMBERS: no number was returned for that service and country on this call; retry or try another country.
- NO_BALANCE: top up; the frozen amount for active numbers counts against the balance.
- BAD_KEY: the key was rotated or is malformed.
- STATUS_WAIT_CODE / STATUS_OK: waiting for the SMS / SMS delivered (compatible endpoint).
SMS Nitro at a glance
| Billing | Pay only if the code arrives. If no SMS arrives before the number expires, the frozen amount returns to your balance automatically, in full. |
|---|---|
| Number reserved for | Up to 20 minutes per activation. Rentals from 24 hours to 30 days with unlimited incoming SMS. |
| Payment | Card via Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay) or crypto (USDC or SOL on Solana). Minimum top-up $5. Card top-ups carry a 10% processing fee; crypto has none. |
| Subscription | None. Pay per verification; your balance never expires. |
| Countries | 180+ countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Germany, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. |
| Apps | 700+ apps and websites: WhatsApp, Telegram, Google, Instagram, TikTok, Discord, OpenAI, PayPal, Tinder, Amazon and more. |
| Developers | REST API plus an SMS-Activate-compatible endpoint. API key available after your first top-up. No API surcharge. |
| Support | Tickets from the dashboard and email, answered by people. |
| Price | From $0.02 per verification code, depending on the app and the country. |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a webhook?
Not for SMS. Poll the order status (every few seconds is fine within the rate limit) and read the SMS text as soon as it arrives.