How does this shit verify your phone number? By making the phone

Yes.

You can sideboard it to work without Google play services. If you're looking for something that works without a phone number, you're better off doing something else like chatsecure

>>57567361
So basically it has to use YOUR money in order to function?

It makes an API call to a backend server, that calls up an authentication service that sends you a text message.
Your phone does not send any text messages during verification.

>>57567442
Interesting. I denied all permissions on it and I didn't receive any signal texts during the verification phase.

If you miss the text it will call you and recite a verification number.