LinkedIn Registration Verification: 'You Can't Use This Phone Number' – What to Do?

During the LinkedIn registration/verification process, some users see the prompt "You can't use this phone number. Please try a different one." or even get stuck in a loop of phone number verification. Why does this happen, and how can we solve it?

Ⅰ. Possible causes

1. Link the number to other accounts

If the phone number you are verifying is already associated with another LinkedIn account, the system will naturally prevent you from using this number to register or verify again. It may be that you forgot that you used this number to register before, or it may have been registered by someone else by mistake.

2. The number is restricted

In order to maintain the order of the platform, if the system detects that a mobile phone number is related to some malicious behaviors (including but not limited to sending large amounts of spam, spreading false information, and fraud), then this mobile phone number will be marked and blacklisted, and the platform will restrict its use in other functions.

3. Verification code expired

Sometimes the verification code may not be sent successfully for a long time. The verification code often has a certain validity period. If it times out, it will expire, resulting in failure to complete the verification.

4. Not a real number

If you are detected using a virtual/temporary number with poor authenticity, your registration/verification may be denied.

5. Regional or operator restrictions

Users in different regions or mobile phone numbers provided by different operators may encounter different restrictions, which may not meet the platform requirements or may be incompatible with the platform system. However, this restriction often changes over time.

Ⅱ. Solution

1. Change your phone number

First, think back to whether you have registered a LinkedIn account before, or try using a reliable virtual mobile phone number, or try a real operator mobile phone number.

2. Wait for a while

Some users have reported that they were able to successfully register after waiting for a while, which could be a few minutes or a few days. After all, many restrictions do change over time.

3. Browser and Device

Change to other mainstream browsers such as Firefox, Safari, use incognito mode, switch the language to English, or clear the cache.

4. Use email

Use the web version of LinkedIn, switch the language to English, and click Join now in the upper right corner to enter the registration process. At this time, use the email address to register, and you don’t need a mobile phone number. Then fill in other required information truthfully, such as email verification code, personal information, etc., and you can basically register successfully.

5. Use a reliable network

When registering, the platform will monitor information in various dimensions, including the IP used. To avoid IPs that have been marked or blacklisted and reduce the risk of being suspected and controlled by the system, you can use IPFoxy's exclusive IP, which can quickly and accurately locate non-restricted areas, register with a more authentic and trustworthy network user identity, and reduce the chance of verification failure.

Ⅲ. Final Thoughts

Actively troubleshooting the reasons for verification failure, trying different methods and using reliable network tools can often effectively solve registration verification problems.