- Many apps can get you a free second number for your phone, whether for business or personal communication.
- Google Voice is free with zero ads and has its own web interface.
- Other apps offer a number of freebies with ads, but may require a subscription fee for the best experience.
You don’t have to have a second phone to have a second phone number. Whether you have an iPhone or Android, you can have a second phone number that you can use for other business or side hustle, to shop on Craigslist or to arrange first dates on Tinder without giving out your main number. for. secret? There are a number of apps that can give you a free second phone number, essentially giving you two lines on your mobile phone.
Google Voice
Google has offered its Google Voice service since 2009, but hasn’t kept it up to date like some of Google’s other apps and websites. It’s a fair trade-off, though, for an app that can add a permanent second line to your iPhone or Android phone for free, with no wires attached—no time limit, unlike every other option here. There is in-app advertising, or subscription fees. And in addition to using Google Voice on your phone, you can also access calls and voicemail in a web browser.
Google Voice is the best all-around app for getting a free second number. Dave Johnson / Insider
textfree
TextFree adds a second line to your Android or iPhone for free. After installing the app, you can get a second number that offers unlimited texting and 60 minutes of voice calls per month for free. And while the ads can be very intrusive, you can extend TextFree to be ad-free for the cheap. You can also buy additional time, such as 100 minutes for $1.99. Remember that if you go with an ad-based service, you need to use your number regularly or you will lose access to it and need to sign up again with a new number.
dingtone
You can get a free phone number from Dingtone that includes unlimited voice calls and text messages, as long as you’re willing to tolerate in-app ads interrupting your experience. Also, if you do not use the app regularly, you may lose your number. If you want to make international calls, you can buy Dingtone credits or earn credits for free by watching ads or referring other users within the app.
text me
Formerly known as Freetone, TextMe is another second-line app with a free tier of service. Like Textfree and Google Voice, TextMe gives you access to a free number that lets you make text and voice calls in the US and Canada, although free services like Textfree (and unlike Google Voice) are ad-supported. . This is a great option if you’re looking for a permanent number that never requires you to earn credits or pay membership fees, although the ads within the app can be annoying.
Text Me gives you free access to another line, but the in-app ads can be intrusive. Dave Johnson / Insider
flypee
Flyp doesn’t offer a completely free service, but you can try it out for free for up to seven days. If you have a very limited need for the second number, this may be good enough. And unlike most other number apps, Flyp lets you set up any number of extras — up to five — for $7.99 a month each. Each line gives you unlimited texting and calling, along with customizable voicemail and other features. And each number may have a different area code.
hushed
Available for both iPhone and Android devices, Hushed offers some features you won’t find in other apps, such as the ability to set up a toll-free number. Unfortunately, Hushed doesn’t offer an ongoing free, ad-supported second line, but you can get a three-day free trial when you use the app for the first time. Hushed doesn’t capture any payment information, so after three days there’s nothing to cancel—your number just expires. For regular service, you can get Hushed for as little as $1.99 for a week of voice and text service. If you need to keep the number active for more than that, you can subscribe to a $3.99 per month plan or even get a full year for $29.99.
Hushed is available for free for three days. Dave Johnson / Insider
secondary business
While most second number apps rely on WiFi to give you voice and text service using the Internet, Sideline uses your existing cellular service to give you a second number. This means you can’t use it on a phone that doesn’t have a working cellular plan, but it does ensure reliable service using your existing carrier. Also, Sideline doesn’t give you the option of a free service; You can choose between the Standard ($9.99 per month) or Pro ($14.99 per month) plans, but first-time customers can get a seven-day free trial of either tier. Standard gives you little more than just another number, while the Pro membership includes a suite of features like a contact list that’s different from the default in your phone and text marketing tools.
dave johnson
freelance writer
