How to Get an Anonymous Phone Number?

An anonymous phone number is a number that allows you to make calls or send texts without revealing your personal contact information. These numbers are often used to protect privacy, as they aren’t tied to a specific person or physical location.

An anonymous phone hides the caller’s identity by preventing the recipient from seeing the real number.

1. Number Masking: When you call or text, the service provider replaces your real number with an anonymous one. The receiver only sees the masked number.
2. Call or Text Routing: The service routes the call or message through its system. Your personal number stays hidden, but you can still communicate normally.
3. Control and Privacy: Most services let you disable the number anytime or block certain callers.

An anonymous phone number is useful when you want to protect your privacy, such as during online transactions, signing up for services, or using dating apps. It also helps you avoid unwanted attention and keeps your real number safe.

1. Online Transactions and Marketplaces 

   When selling items on platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay, using an anonymous number keeps your personal number safe from spam or fraud.

2. Signing Up for Online Services 

   Many apps and websites require a phone number for verification. An anonymous number lets you sign up without sharing your real one.

3. Dating and Socializing Apps 

   For dating platforms like Tinder or Bumble, anonymous phone numbers offer a way to communicate safely with potential matches without revealing personal contact information until trust is established.

4. Avoiding Unwanted Attention

   Anonymous numbers are helpful for people who want to prevent harassment or stalking. They offer a way to interact with others safely without revealing their identity or permanent contact details.

5. Privacy Protection

   Ideal for situations where you want to keep your primary number private, such as surveys, promotions, or short-term projects

You can get a fake number through a virtual number, a secondary SIM card, or a temporary disposable number. Each option offers different levels of security and convenience, making it easy to protect your identity during calls or messages.

A virtual phone number is one of the easiest ways to get an anonymous number. These numbers operate over the internet instead of being tied to a physical SIM card. They function just like regular phone numbers but offer enhanced privacy as they are hosted in the cloud.

Many services like Google Voice and Calilio provide virtual numbers at low cost, making them a reliable option.

For instance, to get an anonymous phone number from Calilio, follow these steps:

1. Enter your personal details, such as your name, email address, and password, to create your account.
   Choose your account type, such as personal or business.
2. Select your use case, such as business, privacy, or temporary use.
3. Choose a subscription plan that best fits your needs and budget.
4. Finalize the payment to activate your new anonymous virtual phone number.

Purchasing a secondary SIM card is a simple way to separate your personal and anonymous communications. You can use your primary SIM for personal contacts and the secondary one for situations where you prefer not to disclose your identity. This long-term approach provides a reliable, physical solution without relying on internet-based services.

Here’s how to get a secondary phone number:

1. Select a traditional phone company that offers mobile plans in your area.
2. Pick a plan that fits your calling, texting, and data needs.
3. Complete any required forms and submit identification if needed.
4. Once approved, the provider will issue your secondary SIM card.
5. Insert the SIM card into your phone and follow the provider’s instructions to activate and use your new number.

Disposable phone numbers are perfect for short-term use and are often used for verification codes or one-time communications. These numbers are available from various services like Burner and TextNow and are usually valid for a limited time, such as a few hours or days. Once the number expires, it can no longer be used, making it ideal for situations where long-term communication is not required.

Here is how to get a temporary phone number:

1. Go to the temporary number provider’s website or download their app.
2. Sign up and log in to access your account dashboard.
3. Select a phone number from your preferred region or country.
4. Complete the payment if required.
5. Start using the number for anonymous calls or short-term communications.

If you don’t want to get a separate anonymous number, you can hide your caller ID through your phone settings. Additionally, you can also use phone number spoofing apps or simply dial 67 before the recipient’s number.

Most smartphones allow you to mask your number, making your number appear as “Private” or “Unknown” to the recipient. This can be enabled in your phone’s settings by turning off the caller ID feature. While it’s a quick way to make an anonymous call, it’s not ideal for frequent use since it may raise suspicion among recipients.

Phone number spoofing allows you to temporarily display a different number when making calls, which can help you remain anonymous. Several apps and services provide this feature, letting you choose the number that will appear on the recipient’s caller ID.

Dialing *67 before the recipient’s phone number allows you to make an anonymous call by hiding your caller ID. This method works on many landlines and mobile phones, but it must be entered before each call and may not be supported for international numbers or all carriers.

The top anonymous phone number providers include Calilio, Google Voice, Hushed, Burner, TextNow, Line2, Phoner, and Cloaked. These platforms help you make untraceable calls, and protect personal numbers for both short-term and long-term needs.

Calilio is a reliable virtual phone number provider that offers a call masking feature, allowing you to adjust your caller ID to make anonymous calls. This functionality is especially valuable for maintaining privacy during temporary engagements or sensitive conversations. Beyond anonymity, Calilio enhances communication with advanced telephony features such as call forwarding, voicemail-to-text, and call routing, making it a versatile solution for both personal and professional use.
Pricing:

• Standard Plan: $15 per user per month
• Premium Plan: $35 per user per month
• Enterprise Plan: Custom

Google Voice is a free service that provides a secondary U.S. phone number, making it a convenient choice for anyone who wants more privacy in business or personal communication. By enabling the “Anonymous caller ID” setting, users can hide their number and make anonymous calls with ease. The service works across multiple devices, integrates smoothly with other Google apps. It also offers call forwarding, custom voicemail greetings, and message filtering to improve privacy and communication control.

Pricing:

• Starter plan: $10 per user per month
• Standard Plan: $20 per user per month
• Premier Plan: $30 per user per month

Hushed is a popular anonymous phone number app that lets users call and text from a temporary second number without exposing their real identity. Caller ID only shows the Hushed number, never your name, making it ideal for online dating, selling items, traveling, or signing up for services without giving away personal details. With access to 300+ area codes in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., users can quickly set up a second line and enjoy features like free voicemail, call forwarding, and auto-reply texts.

Pricing:

• The Prepaid plan starts at $2.99 USD.
• The unlimited plan starts at $4.99 USD/month.
• The pay-as-you-go plan starts at $6.99 USD/month, which includes $1 in credit.

Burner is a trusted anonymous phone number provider that lets you protect your identity by using disposable numbers for calls and texts. Your real number is never exposed, only the Burner number appears on the caller ID, making every interaction private. You can create multiple lines for different situations, such as online dating, selling items, or business, and delete them anytime to cut ties instantly. With features like unlimited calling and texting, spam blocking, and do-not-disturb settings, Burner makes it easy to stay private while keeping full control of your communications. Pricing:

• $4.99/mo (subscribe on the web and download after)
• $9.99/mo (download directly from the app stores).

TextNow is a free phone service that provides users with a secondary number for anonymous calling and texting. By assigning you a new local number, it ensures that only the TextNow number appears on the caller ID, keeping your real phone number hidden. This makes it a practical choice for protecting your privacy in online interactions or personal situations where anonymity is important. The service works seamlessly over Wi-Fi.Pricing:

• Free Plan: This plan provides unlimited talk and text within the U.S. and Canada, but it's ad-supported. It's ideal for those who need essential communication without additional costs.
• Paid Plans:
  1. Hourly Pass: Costs $0.99 for 300MB of high-speed data.
  2. Day Pass: This plan costs $4.99 and includes 2GB of data.
  3. Monthly Pass: This plan costs $39.99 and includes 10GB of high-speed data and unlimited 2G afterward, as well as roaming in Canada and Mexico.

Line2 is a reliable second-line service that helps you maintain anonymity by keeping your personal number private. It provides an additional phone number for calling, texting, and picture messaging. Since only your Line2 number appears on the caller ID, you can communicate confidently while keeping your identity hidden and making anonymous calls. The service includes unlimited calls and texts within the U.S. and Canada, customizable features like call screening and blocking.

Pricing:

• Monthly Plan: $9.99/mo (Billed monthly)
• Annual Plan: $7.99/mo (Billed annually)

Phoner is a versatile anonymous phone number provider that lets you add a secure second line to any device. By giving you a custom number with your choice of country and area code, Phoner hides your personal details so only the Phoner number shows up on caller ID. You can text and call anonymously, both domestically and internationally, without exposing your real identity. It allows you to add or remove numbers as needed. This makes it a convenient option for anyone who wants privacy, security, and complete control over their communications.
Pricing:

• Contact the Phoner sales team for pricing.

Cloaked stands out as a premier provider of anonymous phone numbers that focus on comprehensive privacy and data security. This service allows you to generate unique, secure phone numbers for every online interaction, ensuring your real number stays hidden. Whether you're signing up for new services, shopping online, or managing business communications, Cloaked lets you control when and how your number is shared. Additionally, Cloaked also provides features like identity monitoring, data removal from people-search sites, and $1 million in identity theft insurance.

Pricing:

• Individual Plan: $12.49 per month
• Couple Plan: $19.99 per month
• Family Plan: $29.99 per month

When acquiring an anonymous number, it’s crucial to assess the purpose of use, the type of number, and the level of anonymity required. Additionally, consider factors like cost, platform compatibility, geographic availability, and the reputation of the service provider for security and reliability.

1. Purpose of Use: Define whether you need an anonymous number for one-time OTPs, ongoing communication, business use, or international access.
2. Type of Number: Choose between burner numbers, virtual numbers, or physical SIM cards based on how long you need the number and how you want to use it.
3. Anonymity Level: Ensure the number is untraceable and doesn't link back to your identity. Look for services with no data logging and end-to-end encryption for high-level privacy.
4. Cost: Evaluate the cost, as free services often come with limitations (e.g., ads, fewer features), while paid services offer better reliability, features, and security.
5. Platform Compatibility: Make sure the number works on the platform or app where you need it, as some services might not be accepted by major verification systems.
6. Geographic Restrictions: Check whether the service provides numbers in the country or region you need. Some services are limited to specific areas, which could affect functionality.
7. Reputation of Service Provider: Research the provider’s reputation by reading reviews and checking security measures. Choose trustworthy services that prioritize privacy and security.

Choosing the best anonymous number provider depends on your needs for privacy, security, and ease of use. Whether you're using it for personal safety, short-term projects, or business interactions, anonymous numbers offer a reliable way to communicate without revealing your personal details. From virtual phone numbers and secondary SIM cards to disposable options, there are many ways to obtain an anonymous phone number, each with different levels of anonymity and features.