# How to Sign Up for NYT Games (Connections, Wordle) Without Your Real Phone Number
NYT Connections is one of the hottest daily games in the country right now — showing up in millions of Google searches every single day. If you want to track your Connections streak, save your Wordle progress, or subscribe to the New York Times Games bundle, you'll need an NYT account. The problem? The New York Times asks for your phone number during signup and verification.
This guide shows you exactly how to create an NYT Games account using a **virtual secondary phone number** from OTPStream — so you can play Connections, Wordle, Strands, and Mini Crossword without handing over your personal number.
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## Why NYT Games Requires a Phone Number
When creating a New York Times account, the platform uses SMS-based OTP (One-Time Password) verification to:
- Confirm you're a real person (not a bot) - Secure your account with two-factor authentication - Enable account recovery via phone
Once verified, the NYT may send you promotional SMS messages about subscriptions, offers, and news alerts — unless you opt out. Using a virtual number from OTPStream means none of that reaches your real phone.
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## Games Affected by NYT Phone Verification
- **Connections** — the color-coded group puzzle trending daily - **Wordle** — the original daily word game - **Strands** — the newer word search puzzle - **Mini Crossword** — the quick 5x5 daily crossword - **Spelling Bee** — the hexagonal word-finding game - **Full NYT Games subscription** — all games plus archives
All of these require the same NYT account, meaning one virtual number covers all of them.
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## Step-by-Step: Create an NYT Games Account with OTPStream
### Step 1: Get Your Virtual Number
1. Go to [OTPStream](https://otpstream.com) and sign in or create an account 2. Select a **US virtual phone number** from the dashboard 3. Copy the number
### Step 2: Start NYT Account Creation
1. Visit [nytimes.com/games](https://www.nytimes.com/games) or [nytimes.com](https://www.nytimes.com) 2. Click **Log in** → **Create Account** 3. Enter your email address and choose a password 4. When prompted for phone verification, enter your OTPStream virtual number
### Step 3: Get the OTP in Your OTPStream Dashboard
1. NYT sends a 6-digit verification code to your virtual number 2. Open your OTPStream dashboard — the code appears in seconds 3. Copy the code
### Step 4: Complete Verification
1. Enter the code in the NYT verification field 2. Click **Verify** 3. Your NYT account is created — you can now play Connections and all NYT Games
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## Tracking Your Connections Streak Privately
One of the biggest reasons people create NYT accounts is to track their daily Connections streak. With OTPStream:
- Your streak is saved to your NYT account - Your real number isn't stored with the New York Times - You don't get marketing texts about NYT subscriptions - If you ever want to change your number, update it in NYT Account Settings using a new OTPStream number
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## NYT Games Subscription and Virtual Numbers
If you want to subscribe to NYT Games (currently around $5/month), the subscription process only requires your email and payment method — not your phone number again. Once you've verified with OTPStream during signup, the subscription flow doesn't ask for additional phone verification.
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## Does This Work for the NYT News Subscription Too?
Yes. OTPStream virtual numbers work for both NYT Games and a full New York Times subscription. One virtual number, one OTPStream account, full access to everything the NYT offers.
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## Frequently Asked Questions
**Why does the NYT need my phone number just to play a free game?** The NYT uses phone verification to reduce bot accounts and spam. Even for free games like Connections and Wordle, they require account creation with phone verification for streak tracking.
**Will the NYT reject my virtual number?** OTPStream numbers are real US carrier numbers. They pass the NYT's standard phone validation and receive SMS codes without issue.
**Can I change my NYT phone number later?** Yes. Go to **Account → Settings → Login & security** and update your phone number. You can replace it with a new OTPStream number anytime.
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## Bottom Line
NYT Connections is trending every single day — and if you want to save your streak without giving the New York Times your real number, OTPStream is your solution. Get a virtual number, verify once, and play every day without the marketing texts.
👉 **[Get a free virtual number for NYT Games signup at OTPStream →](https://otpstream.com)**