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How to Get an Anonymous Phone Number?

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Protecting privacy in communication is more important now than ever before. Whether you need to protect your personal information during calls, safeguard your identity for online transactions, or avoid unwanted contacts, using an anonymous phone number can provide the solution.

Anonymous phone numbers help keep your actual number hidden, offering a layer of protection in various situations.


What is the Anonymous Phone Number?

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

Anonymous phone numbers can be obtained through apps or services and are ideal for situations where you want to keep your identity hidden, such as online transactions, short-term projects, or when using social platforms.

When Do People Use an Anonymous Phone Number?

People use an anonymous phone number for online transactions and marketplaces, signing up for online services, dating and socializing apps, temporary projects or short-term communications, including customer support and business.
 

  1. Online Transactions and Marketplaces
     

    People often use anonymous phone numbers to avoid sharing their contact details when selling or buying items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. This helps protect against spam, scams, and unwanted follow-ups.
     

  2. Signing Up for Online Services
     

    Many users opt for anonymous phone numbers to register on websites, social media, or apps that require a phone number for verification. So, it helps to provide protection against potential data breaches and unwanted marketing calls.
     

  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. Temporary Projects or Short-Term Communication
     

    When working on temporary projects, freelance work, or one-time events, anonymous phone numbers are useful ways to separate personal and professional communication and keep your primary number private.
     

  5. 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.

How to Get an Anonymous Phone Number?

There are several methods for obtaining an anonymous phone number, which can help you protect your identity during calls and messages. Whether you get a virtual number, secondary SIM, or disposable option, each method offers varying levels of privacy and usability.

1. Using a Virtual Phone Number

A virtual phone number is a phone number that operates over the internet instead of being tied to a physical SIM card. These numbers work 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 convenient option.

2. Using a Secondary SIM Card

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.

3. Using a Temporary or Disposable 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 online services 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.

4. Phone Number Spoofing

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.

Alternative Ways to Call Anonymously

There are several alternative ways to make anonymous calls, such as masking your number, using third-party apps, dialing *67 before the number, or using a prepaid burner phone.

1. Mask your Number

Most smartphones allow you to hide your caller ID when making calls. It helps to mask your number so that the recipient will see something like "Private Number" or "Unknown Caller." You can enable this option in your phone’s settings by toggling the caller ID feature off. While this method works for individual calls, it may not be ideal for long-term use or multiple calls as it can raise suspicion among recipients.

2. Dial *67 Before the Number

By dialing *67 before the recipient’s phone number, you can simply hide your number during a call. It works on both landlines and mobile phones in certain regions, and it blocks your number from showing up on the recipient’s caller ID. However, this method must be repeated for each call, and it may not work for international calls or on all carriers.

3. Third-party Apps

You can make anonymous calls or send messages by using apps like Burner and TextNow without revealing your personal phone number. These apps offer temporary or virtual numbers that you can use for short-term communication. They provide easy access to anonymous phone numbers with minimal setup and often come with additional features like call forwarding, voicemail, or text messaging.

Top 5 Anonymous Phone Number Providers in 2024

Many reliable services offer anonymous phone numbers to help users maintain privacy and manage their communications without revealing personal details. These providers are ideal for various situations, such as online transactions, temporary interactions, or business needs.

Here are the top 5 anonymous phone number providers to consider.

1. Calilio

receive sms online with virtual numbers with calilio


Calilio provides a secure and flexible platform for obtaining anonymous virtual phone numbers. It offers numbers from over 100 countries, allowing users to maintain their privacy while making and receiving calls or messages. Calilio supports multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, making it convenient to manage your communications wherever you are.  It offers features like voicemail-to-text and call forwarding, ensuring a seamless experience for users who want to protect their identity without sacrificing functionality.

It offers several pricing plans:
 

  • Basic Plan: $12 per user per month
  • Business Plan: $28 per user per month
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom

 

Start Making Your Anonymous Call Using Calilio

2. Google Voice

receive sms online with virtual numbers with google voice


Google Voice is a free service that provides users with a virtual phone number. It allows them to make calls, send texts, and receive voicemail without revealing their number. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an anonymous number for business or personal use. Google Voice works across multiple devices and integrates with other Google services, making it a versatile option. It also offers call forwarding, custom voicemail greetings, and message filtering to improve privacy and communication control. Given below are Google Voice’s pricing plans.
 

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

3. Hushed

interface of hushed


Hushed offers temporary and long-term anonymous numbers that can be easily customized. Whether you need a number for a short-term project, online transactions, or ongoing communication, Hushed offers flexibility with easily customizable numbers. It supports features like WiFi calling, custom voicemail greetings, and call forwarding, making it a comprehensive solution for anonymous communication. Hushed allows users to choose between several pricing plans:
 

  • 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.

4. Burner

interface of burner


Burner is a popular app that offers a second phone number for making and receiving calls and messages. It is helpful for short-term scenarios like dating apps and online transactions. The app allows users to manage multiple phone numbers simultaneously, so they can easily discard them whenever and wherever they want. Burner phones are ideal for anyone who needs to make anonymous calls without leaving any digital trail, as they don't require personal information during activation.

Here are its pricing plans.
 

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

5. TextNow

receive sms online with virtual numbers with textnow

 

TextNow is a mobile app that provides users with affordable phone numbers for making calls and sending text messages. The app offers both free and paid plans, with the free plan supported by ads. TextNow is particularly useful for those seeking an anonymous phone number to verify accounts or manage multiple communication channels. With WiFi calling and texting features, it’s a cost-effective solution for maintaining anonymity.
 

  • 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:

    Hourly Pass: Costs $0.99 for 300MB of high-speed data.

    Day Pass: This plan costs $4.99 and includes 2GB of data.

    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.

Factors to Choose the Best Anonymous Number Provider

When selecting an anonymous number provider, consider factors like international availability, affordability, and ease of use to ensure you get the most reliable and secure service.

1. Privacy and Security Features

The primary reason for using an anonymous number is to protect your identity. Look for providers that prioritize encryption and data protection. Ensure they offer privacy-focused features like number masking and secure SMS services to safeguard your personal information.

2. Ease of Use

Choose a provider with a user-friendly platform or app. The process of getting an anonymous number should be quick and simple, without complicated setup steps. Also, check if the provider offers easy management of your anonymous numbers, including the ability to switch or delete numbers when needed.

3. Availability in Multiple Countries

If you need anonymous numbers for international purposes, ensure the provider offers numbers in multiple countries. Some services limit their offering to specific regions, so check if your desired country is supported.

4. Cost and Flexibility

Compare the pricing of different anonymous number providers. Some offer subscription models, pay-as-you-go options, or temporary numbers that are cheaper for short-term use. Make sure the cost aligns with your needs and budget.

5. Call and SMS Functionality

Depending on how you use the anonymous number, ensure that the provider offers both call and SMS capabilities. Some providers may specialize in only one type of communication, so verify if they support texting and calling.

Get an Anonymous Phone Number With Calilio

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.

You can make anonymous calls with Calilio’s virtual phone numbers, which hide your caller ID for full privacy. Calilio also provides call masking features that protect your identity by ensuring your original number is never displayed. Sign up today!!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a free anonymous phone number?

You can get a free anonymous number using apps like Google Voice, TextNow, or Burner. These services let you get a virtual number to make calls or send texts without revealing your identity.

How do you make a phone number anonymous?

You can make your phone number anonymous by dialing *67 before the number or using apps like Burner or Hushed, which provide temporary phone numbers that hide your real identity.

How do I get a ghost phone number?

You can get a ghost phone number from services like Calilio, Hushed, or Burner. These disposable numbers protect your privacy and can be used temporarily for specific purposes.


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