Can I create an apple ID without a phone number
How to create an apple ID without phone number?
Can I create an AppleID without giving them my phone number?
Can you create a US Apple ID without a phone number? - General Computing - Techlore Forum
How do I create an Apple ID without an Apple phone?
Can I create two Apple IDs with the same phone number?
Can I make a new Apple ID without losing everything on my phone?
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Was given an iPad (Mini, cellular model) recently as a gift. Would like to create an Apple ID for it but don't want to give them my mobile phone number. I understand it's required for authentication and 2FA (why SMS instead of OTP app based in 2021, I have no idea), but since cellular iPad's don't have phone functionality, I can't use the number from the sim card I insert in it.
I was thinking of virtual numbers, but have no experience with them don't know if they're safe. My limited search-fu on DDG and Startpage yielded results that ranged from rather suspect to extremely expensive. Maybe I'm searching wrong?
All I need is a number that can receive text messages from Apple. Preferably cheap, private (meaning not shared with a gazillion people like the free options) and privacy respecting. Ideally, something where I can just log into a web interface on a browser to check messages. I don't mind paying (preferably cheap), and I don't mind if it's a US number (I don't live there) since I can just create the Apple ID while tunneling to a US server and buy US App Store gift cards for payments.
What are my options?
Thanks.