When attempting to log in/ signup to an OpenAI account, you may come across the error message “This phone number is already linked to the maximum number of accounts”.
This error occurs when a phone number has been used for verification on more than 2 unique OpenAI accounts.
This can be frustrating, as it prevents you from accessing or creating your account on OpenAI.
In this blog, we will explain why OpenAI is displaying this error message and provide steps on how to fix it.
Whether you have multiple accounts with the same phone number or you believe the phone number has been used by a scammer, we will guide you through the process of resolving the issue and getting back into your account.
Why Is OpenAI Saying “this Phone Number Is Already Linked To The Maximum Number Of Accounts”?
The error message “This phone number is already linked to the maximum number of accounts” appears when a phone number has been used for verification on more than 2 unique OpenAI accounts.
OpenAI places this limitation as a security measure to prevent fraud and ensure that each phone number is only associated with a small number of accounts.
When a user attempts to log in to an account that is verified with a phone number that has already been used for verification on 2 other accounts, the system recognizes that the phone number has been used too many times and generates the error message.
Additionally, OpenAI is using phone number as a way to identify and verify users, so a phone number can be used as a way to identify the user, this is why OpenAI is limiting the number of accounts that can be verified with a single phone number.
Another reason is that only the first API account verified with a given phone number is granted free trial tokens, in order to avoid any abuse of the system, OpenAI is limiting the number of accounts that can be verified with a single phone number, thus preventing any single user from creating multiple accounts to gain access to multiple free trials.
Note: When creating an API account with OpenAI, a phone number verification step is required. Only the first account associated with a given phone number will be granted free trial tokens. Additionally, a phone number can be used for verification up to two times, but the free trial tokens will only be provided for the first account created with that phone number. Any subsequent accounts created with the same phone number will not receive the free trial tokens.
How To Fix “this Phone Number Is Already Linked To The Maximum Number Of Accounts” On OpenAI?
There are a few ways to fix the error message “This phone number is already linked to the maximum number of accounts” on OpenAI:
1. Use A Different Phone Number For Verification
If you are unable to log in to your account because the phone number you used for verification has already been used on 2 other accounts, you can try using a different phone number for verification. This will allow you to create a new account or log in to your existing account with the new phone number.
2. Check For Multiple Accounts
If you suspect that you have multiple accounts that are verified with the same phone number, you can try logging in to those accounts and verifying them with a different phone number. This will free up the previous phone number to be used again.
3. Reach Out To OpenAI Support
If you are unsure of how to resolve the issue or if you believe that your phone number has been used by a scammer, you can reach out to OpenAI support for assistance. They will be able to help you identify the problem and provide guidance on how to fix it.
4. Review The Terms And Conditions
Before creating a new account, make sure you understand OpenAI terms and conditions, and the limitations on phone number usage.
It’s important to note that resolving the issue may take some time, and it’s best to contact OpenAI support as soon as possible to have a better chance of resolving the issue quickly.