Considering what others have described here to skip verification, you have used a dark pattern to force users to resort to SMS verification, endangering all those thousands of users you/your company claimed have downloaded the app in Hong Kong. This dark pattern would also inhibit or reduce usage during natural disasters unless you place a “Skip Verification” button that’s as prominent as the one for SMS verification. You could explain to the user the benefits or disadvantages of both on the same screen.

Having seen FireChat, another closed source mesh network app that allows people to sign up without giving a phone number, there’s no reason for me to recommend your app or even for me to try it.