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Handling Western Sahara phone verification when the route list is short
Yes, OTP Route can receive Western Sahara (+212) verification codes through the OTP Gateway, shown in the dashboard or sent to your systems via REST polling or a signed webhook. Each code is priced from $0.20 per code, and an order that receives nothing during its 20-minute window is refunded to the wallet. Coverage here is narrower than in most countries, so check the live list before you plan a test run.
Our phone validator keeps flagging +212 numbers as the wrong region. Why?
Western Sahara shares the +212 calling code with Morocco. Widely used phone-number libraries treat it as a separate region that uses the same code, so a lookup from a number alone can return either one. Teams with a country dropdown often discover this when a user picks Western Sahara, enters a valid +212 number, and the backend reclassifies it, or rejects it because the region does not match.
That is exactly the kind of edge case worth reproducing with a real Western Sahara verification number before shipping a fix. Logistics firms, NGOs and regional operations teams that already serve North Africa run into it too, and a quick test on the actual route is cheaper than guessing.
Which services can send a code to a Western Sahara number?
The live snapshot for this route lists more than 20 services, a much shorter catalogue than neighbouring markets. Currently featured are TikTok, Amazon, LinkedIn, AliExpress, Flipkart, Mercado Libre, Mercado Pago, Coinbase, Bumble and Swiggy.
Because the list is short and supply rotates during the day, always confirm availability with GET /api/v1/countries or in the dashboard before scheduling a test. If the service you need is missing, nearby routes such as Morocco, Mauritania or Algeria usually carry far more services and may still satisfy a test that just needs a North African number.
How does the Western Sahara OTP API request work?
The country id is eh. The sequence matches every other market:
- Look up the service id with
GET /api/v1/services. - Check the price via
GET /api/v1/prices?country=eh&service=<id>. - Create the order with
POST /api/v1/activationsand a body naming the service andeh. - Read the result with
GET /api/v1/activations/{id}, or receiveactivation.sms_receivedon a webhook. - Cancel with
POST /api/v1/activations/{id}/cancelif the test is dropped.
Verify the X-OTPRoute-Signature header on every webhook (HMAC-SHA256 over the timestamp and raw body with your endpoint secret) and reject stale timestamps. Keys carry the or_live_ prefix; you may hold up to 10 and send up to 300 requests per minute. The developer hub links to the full reference.
Can someone order one without writing code?
Yes. After signing up with an email code or Google, a support or product teammate can open the OTP Gateway, choose Western Sahara and one of the available services, confirm the price, and copy the +212 number into the app under test. The code appears beside the order once the SMS is delivered.
How should +212 numbers from this region be stored?
Numbers follow the same +212 plan as Morocco, with a trunk prefix of 0 used domestically. A mobile number written locally with a leading 06 or 07 becomes +212 6... or +212 7... in international form. Store E.164 without the zero, and if your product needs to know the region, save the user's explicit selection in its own field rather than inferring it from the number.
Arabic is the main language of daily life, and Spanish and French are also heard, but most global apps choose the SMS language from the account or device setting. Test your own templates in Arabic and in a Latin-script locale if they are shown back to the user.
Nothing arrived on the Western Sahara number. What next?
A thin route means occasional misses, so build tests that tolerate them:
- Wait out the 20-minute window; a late SMS still counts.
- You only pay if the code arrives, and an expired or cancelled activation refunds automatically.
- Retry later, or switch to a neighbouring route if the test case permits.
- Check that the target service accepts virtual numbers; some decline them on principle.
- Space out retries rather than ordering in a tight loop.
The guide to country routing for OTP explains how to build a fallback list of markets.
Is a long-term line possible, and how is billing handled?
No self-serve long-term number exists for Western Sahara. Dedicated Numbers are a US and Canada product, from $1.95/month; teams with a real need for a lasting line here can ask [email protected], with no promise that one can be arranged.
OTP Gateway usage is paid from a prepaid USD wallet, with no subscription or plan. Top up by card or USDT/USDC and every top-up is invoiced as a PDF by email. A development account can be switched to sandbox on request for simulated end-to-end tests. See pricing for details.
Frequently asked questions
Can I test a Western Sahara sign-up without a local SIM?
Yes, as long as the service you need is on the live list for this route. Order a +212 number from the OTP Gateway and read the code in the dashboard or via the API.
What country id does OTP Route use for Western Sahara?
It uses eh, which is different from Morocco's ma even though both share +212.
Why are so few services available for this route?
Supply from our carrier partners is limited here and changes through the day, so the API reports what can be ordered at that moment.
What does a Western Sahara verification number cost?
Pricing starts at $0.20 per code; the exact amount depends on the service and is shown before you confirm.
Will a failed activation be charged?
No. Activations with no SMS after 20 minutes, or that you cancel, are refunded to the wallet in full.
What usage rules apply?
Use numbers only for your own legitimate accounts and products, follow every service's terms, and stay within the OTP Route Acceptable Use Policy.
Service names are trademarks of their respective owners. OTP Route is not affiliated with them. Use numbers lawfully, follow each service's terms and our Acceptable Use Policy.