Tools and Libraries for Mobile Number Validation
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 3:35 am
Validating mobile numbers is essential for ensuring data accuracy, improving communication reliability, and enhancing user experience. Because phone numbers vary widely across countries in format, length, and rules, robust validation requires specialized tools and libraries that understand international phone standards and regional variations.
Key Features of Mobile Number Validation Tools
Good validation tools typically provide:
Format validation based on country-specific numbering plans.
Parsing and normalization (e.g., converting to E.164 format).
Carrier and region detection to verify if the number is valid for a specific country or network.
Handling extensions, special codes, and short numbers.
Real-time validation for form inputs.
Integration support for various programming languages and platforms.
Popular Libraries and Tools for Mobile Number Validation
1. Google libphonenumber
Overview:
Developed by Google, libphonenumber is the most widely used open-source library for parsing, formatting, and validating international phone numbers. It supports over 200 countries and territories.
Key Features:
Validates numbers against country-specific rules.
Parses numbers from free-form text inputs.
Formats numbers in national, international, and E.164 formats.
Detects carrier and region information.
Supports validation of extensions and short codes.
Languages Supported:
Java (original), C++, JavaScript, Python (third-party ports), and others.
Use Cases:
Perfect for backend validation, phone number formatting in apps, and user input verification.
2. PhoneNumberKit (iOS)
Overview:
PhoneNumberKit is a Swift library inspired by Google’s libphonenumber, designed specifically for iOS development.
Key Features:
Parses and validates international phone numbers.
Provides formatted outputs.
Supports region-specific formatting and validation.
Use Cases:
Ideal for iOS apps that require robust phone number handling.
3. PhoneLib (Android)
Overview:
A lightweight Android library for phone number validation recent mobile phone number data and formatting, sometimes wrapping libphonenumber functionalities.
Key Features:
Supports parsing and validating phone numbers on Android.
Formats numbers according to locale.
Use Cases:
Android apps needing phone number input validation.
4. Twilio Lookup API
Overview:
Twilio’s Lookup API offers cloud-based phone number validation and carrier lookup services.
Key Features:
Real-time validation of number format and existence.
Carrier and line type detection (mobile, landline, VoIP).
Caller name lookup.
Supports SMS and voice-enabled number checks.
Use Cases:
SaaS or telephony apps needing real-time validation and enrichment.
Considerations:
This is a paid API service with per-lookup costs.
Key Features of Mobile Number Validation Tools
Good validation tools typically provide:
Format validation based on country-specific numbering plans.
Parsing and normalization (e.g., converting to E.164 format).
Carrier and region detection to verify if the number is valid for a specific country or network.
Handling extensions, special codes, and short numbers.
Real-time validation for form inputs.
Integration support for various programming languages and platforms.
Popular Libraries and Tools for Mobile Number Validation
1. Google libphonenumber
Overview:
Developed by Google, libphonenumber is the most widely used open-source library for parsing, formatting, and validating international phone numbers. It supports over 200 countries and territories.
Key Features:
Validates numbers against country-specific rules.
Parses numbers from free-form text inputs.
Formats numbers in national, international, and E.164 formats.
Detects carrier and region information.
Supports validation of extensions and short codes.
Languages Supported:
Java (original), C++, JavaScript, Python (third-party ports), and others.
Use Cases:
Perfect for backend validation, phone number formatting in apps, and user input verification.
2. PhoneNumberKit (iOS)
Overview:
PhoneNumberKit is a Swift library inspired by Google’s libphonenumber, designed specifically for iOS development.
Key Features:
Parses and validates international phone numbers.
Provides formatted outputs.
Supports region-specific formatting and validation.
Use Cases:
Ideal for iOS apps that require robust phone number handling.
3. PhoneLib (Android)
Overview:
A lightweight Android library for phone number validation recent mobile phone number data and formatting, sometimes wrapping libphonenumber functionalities.
Key Features:
Supports parsing and validating phone numbers on Android.
Formats numbers according to locale.
Use Cases:
Android apps needing phone number input validation.
4. Twilio Lookup API
Overview:
Twilio’s Lookup API offers cloud-based phone number validation and carrier lookup services.
Key Features:
Real-time validation of number format and existence.
Carrier and line type detection (mobile, landline, VoIP).
Caller name lookup.
Supports SMS and voice-enabled number checks.
Use Cases:
SaaS or telephony apps needing real-time validation and enrichment.
Considerations:
This is a paid API service with per-lookup costs.