How to Register Presto Card Account without a Phone Number

Posted on 27/12/24 12:35 pm

How to Register Presto Card Account without a Phone Number

Presto Card is a necessary tool for using public transit for those who live in the GTHA or the province of Ottawa, Canada. However, registering in the Presto app requires verifying an account with a mobile number.

For many people, this may not seem like a big deal, but for those who don’t want to share their real contact details with the app due to privacy reasons, it can be quite frustrating. However, there are methods to bypass this requirement, including using a temporary virtual number instead of your actual number.

Let’s explore how this technology works, but first, let’s look at the benefits of Presto services.

What is Presto Card?

Presto Card is a travel card for public transport and metro transportation rides in the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area) and the province of Ottawa, Canada. This travel pass replaced the familiar Metropass and talon tickets that were still available in Canada until recently.

The Presto fare payment system is compatible with over 10 public transit agencies operating in the GTHA. You can check the list of transit agencies on the Presto website.

Presto card allows customers to pay for a ride on any public transport, including buses, trams, and subways. The process is simple: when boarding, you need to tap the pass to the reader and tap it again when making a transfer. If you manage to stay within 2 hours of your first payment, you won’t be charged an extra fare.

You can access the Presto services with a physical card or its virtual counterpart, which is sold on the official website or in the app (keep reading for more information). For added convenience, starting in late 2023, riders can purchase a Presto card in Google Wallet or Apple Wallet.

Where Can I Buy a Physical Presto Card?

To purchase a physical Presto card, you can choose from three options:

  1. Automates installed at certain TTC railway stations.
  2. Stores in the Shoppers Drug Mart network — not all stores, but most of them.
  3. Customer Service outlets in TTC.

The only catch is that since the automates cannot confirm a rider’s age, it’s not possible to purchase a concessionary fare for all concessionary categories of citizens, only a standard adult fare. The other two options will work if you submit a driver’s license or other proof of identity documentation.

What is Presto Ticket?

Presto Ticket is a paper analogue to a Presto card for a few rides, which is meant to be discarded after use and cannot be reloaded.

This paper ticket has an embedded RFID chip that prevents it from being recycled. Customers can buy a 1-ride, 2-ride, or day pass ticket.

Unfortunately, discounted fares don’t apply to Presto tickets, but you can still make free transfers within 2 hours on the TTC using a ticket.

What are Presto Card’s Loading Options?

For travel cards, you can load a certain amount of funds onto a Presto card or a transit pass for unlimited travel. However, the second option only works for some transit agencies (GO Transit, UP Express, and Burlington Transit are excluded).

To load money onto your Presto card, there are several ways to do this:

  1. Through the Presto app, Google Wallet, or Apple Wallet. Simply use your debit or credit card to replenish the Presto balance.
  2. You can also set up 'Autoload' in your Presto account.
  3. On the website. The loaded money will be ready to use in 4 to 7 hours. However, please note that using the app is more reliable for better protection.
  4. In person. You can load funds via a TTC Customer Service outlet, fare automates, or a self-service reload machine. To load a ticket, look for ticket automates installed at railway stations.

If you need to load a weekly or monthly transit pass, you can choose from the following options:

  1. In the Presto app — this enables instant loading.
  2. Through Google Wallet — Apple Wallet doesn’t allow you to add transit passes directly, but you can still do this via the app.
  3. In person. Most Shoppers Drug Mart stores and Customer Service outlets support this feature. You can also use automates at metro stations to load a transit pass onto your physical card.

Presto App: The Perks of The Digital Version

Using the app is even more convenient, especially for younger generations and those who are inclined to use technology. The Presto app allows riders to easily transfer a physical card into its virtual version, allowing them to use their mobile device as a card. After creating a virtual card, the physical one becomes inactive. Within a single Presto account, customers can manage up to 10 Presto cards.

Here is what you can do in the Presto app, in addition to registering your Presto card:

  • Check the balance of your Presto card.
  • Use NFC for instant replenishments and loading transit passes.
  • Replenish the balance via Google Pay, a bank card, or the payment option you have saved.
  • Set up ‘Autoload’ and ‘Autorenew’ so you don’t have to check the balance manually on a regular basis.
  • Set up reminders for the expiration date of your card or low balance.
  • Check the expiration date of your active transfers.
  • And more.

How to Register in the Presto App

It’s a three-step process that requires you to:

  1. Enter your email address and agree to the service’s Terms of Service — on the first screen.
  2. Go through account verification by entering a mobile phone number. To complete verification, enter an OTP.
  3. On the third registration screen, provide other user information, including your address details, postal code, and more.

As you can see, there’s no option to avoid using a mobile number when registering for the Presto card. However, you can protect your primary phone number from being leaked or used for spam calls and messages by utilizing a temporary virtual number instead.

How to Complete Presto Sign-In Without a Phone Number?

Virtual numbers can receive SMS similar to conventional mobile numbers. However, unlike cellular numbers that require a SIM card installed in a mobile device, virtual numbers are auto-generated by special software, which is typically accessible through a website or a desktop client. Messages are then received via the software that issues the numbers.

Thus, the working principle of virtual numbers provides several advantages, including:

  • No connection to a specific physical device. To receive SMS on a virtual number via an online platform, you can use any device with a stable internet connection, whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or another device.
  • No geolocation restrictions. Since virtual numbers are generated, you can choose any country you need based on the offerings of the issuing provider. With smsotpverify's services, you can access 2000+ online services and apps in 190+ countries.
  • Enhanced privacy of your data. Using a virtual number protects your actual phone number from being used maliciously or stolen, which is essential in today’s digital world.
  • Mass-following and multi-accounting functionality. Virtual phone numbers enable you to create unique phone numbers for as many accounts as needed.

To get access to Presto services with the help of smsotpverify, follow these steps:

  1. Register on smsotpverify.com using social media.
  2. Add funds to your balance — click the ‘Top Up’ button in the top right corner.
  3. To get a disposable number, go to ‘Receive SMS’, select a country and then a service (Presto). Click ‘Purchase’.
  4. Scroll down the homepage to ‘History’, copy the purchased number, and apply it to Presto sign-in.
  5. To request a verification code, go back to smsotpverify and click ‘Buy’ next to the number.
  6. Apply the code as instructed.

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