How to Get a Temporary Phone Number? Top 7 Providers

In the digitalized world preserving your valuable personal information and contact information is crucial to save yourself from unnecessary spam calls, texts, or notifications. If these are delivered to your personal or primary number then you may feel disturbed over time.

To maintain privacy and become free from strangers calling or texting you can use the temporary phone number that can be disposed of without leaving any trace. Since it is used for a limited time and purpose.

In this blog, we will discuss what is a temporary number and how to get a temporary phone number, methods to get a temporary number, and reasons for using such disposable numbers.

Brief Overview of a Temporary Phone Number

The phone number that you can use for temporary purposes and disposable in the future such types of number are called a Temporary phone number. These numbers are also called virtual phone numbers or disposable phone numbers. It has temporary usage and can help keep your personal or primary number private during online activities. 

During online purchases, or signing up for new online app platforms, and games you can use this number to erase the misuse and get spam text or notifications to your real number. You don’t want to give strangers your primary contact details. In such a situation you can give them your temporary contact number. And be safe and sound after completing your desired objective without any detectable trace.

In this digital world if you want to disguise yourself from strangers and don’t want to be disturbed by unwanted text, notifications, and spam. Also to protect your primary contact identity then this dynamic feature allows you to be safe and share your temporary contact information during online activities.

How to Get a Temporary Phone Number?

In this digital communication age, you may need a temporary phone number for various purposes such as securing personal identity, temporary communication, online verification, and making emergency calls when someone’s phone or SIM card is lost, stolen, broken, or dead. 

These numbers will expire after a certain time period once you perform your intended purpose or objectives. It is useful in preserving, protecting, and maintaining the anonymity of your identity from being exposed to strangers.

You can get your temporary or disposable phone number from different methods. Users can select their suitable offers inside these methods according to their desired purpose. 

Using a Virtual Phone Number

• Using a friend’s phone
  We all have used another person’s phone just to make a phone call when we lost our phone, broken or dead. And if it is a friend’s we may have to use it for a longer period of time (days, weeks, or months). Whereas with a disposable number or temporary number, it is not possible to use for a longer period or multiple times. These numbers have limited use or can be used a single time for the intended purpose.
  
  So, You can ask for your friend’s second phone number for verification, SMS, Text, and receive calls where your primary number will not be exposed to strangers. But users need to be extra careful to align their privacy preferences with unwanted callers and friends.

• Free SMS-only service, TextPlus
  TextPlus is free only for receiving SMS. Customers can get free virtual phone number access for this single purpose. You can use it for SMS or text message verification purposes. It allows users to use disposable numbers without purchasing for SMS verification needs.

• Smartphone apps for temporary numbers:
  Various Smartphone apps provide temporary disposable virtual numbers for calls and texts. They are providing the user with an additional layer of privacy to personal contact identity. It will ”burn” once you are done using it. If someone calls this number after you are done they will receive an “out of service” response.
  
  Better read the guidelines before signing up to use the temporary numbers app as it is limited or you may need to pay an additional charge if you cross the limited time condition.

• Free inbound SMS confirmation service:
  For signing up or registering an account you may need SMS verification many apps and websites provide a free inbound SMS confirmation service. This eliminates the required dedicated phone numbers hence providing privacy to your primary number.

Purchasing Temporary Use Phones or Cards

• Buying a prepaid cell phone
  Purchasing a prepaid cell phone is comparatively cheaper than in mainstream mobile phone stores. These prepaid Phones are also called “burner phones” Once the credit is finished you can throw them away. It is not necessary to contract to get a prepaid cell phone.
  But if you want to add the additional airtime you can buy airtime with the same provider and activate it.

• Buying a temporary use SIM Card
  If your phone supports the additional SIM Card or can be unlocked then you don’t need to buy the burner cell phone with the new phone number and a limited amount of credit. It is suitable for limited short-term needs just like a prepaid cell phone. You can use it until the credit is exhausted.

• Change mobile number via mobile provider
  You can contact your mobile service provider if you don’t want to use the third-party service for the disposable number. The price may vary according to the different carriers or as the provided package.

You can follow your preferred method to use the temporary or disposable number as you desire. However, it is better to ensure how it implies the user’s privacy and secure personal contact details.

You may read: How to use Google Voice without a phone number?

Reasons to Get a Temporary Phone Number

At some point in time, people will change the number or add a number to use as a temporary number. This may be the result of various reasons. Whatever the reasons are, using a temporary phone number is helpful for the short-term communication solution.

We know tourists or foreigners need temporary communication solutions for a limited time period only. Let’s know the common reasons why individual prefers to get a temporary phone number:

1. Reusing the old phone: When people have old phones, most of them won’t throw them away but prefer to use them by adding a temporary phone number. This allows the old phone to be in use instead of spending money on buying a new phone for communication.

2. Doing side business: People get annoyed to get business-related calls on their personal phone numbers. So, getting a temporary phone number helps to separate the personal calls and the business calls and manage your communication according to desired needs or priorities.

3. Signing up for online activity: In a digital age, it is impossible to sign up for anything for free without sharing personal information. So, to avoid spam, unwanted text, notifications, unsolicited calls, and promotional messages in the personal number and disposable number protect your privacy from exposure during online registration or sign-ups.

4. Balancing Work and Personal life: Temporary numbers separate your professional and personal life to some degree by removing unwanted calls during work hours or enjoying your holidays with family. Setting your one number for a work-related purpose helps you to prioritize the professional call during working hours without struggling with the interaction and feeling awkward.

5. Selling in online: During online transactions, individuals want to keep their personal identity and details private. Temporary helps to keep the seller or business owner’s identity anonymous when selling anything on online platforms.

6. Online Relationship or Dating: Online dating is fun until your identity is exposed to an unwanted or unknown person. Having the temporary number acts as an additional layer of security to your privacy and be anonymous until you feel comfortable sharing your primary contact with your match or trusting the person.

7. Preserve anonymous identity during communication: Sometimes you want to do certain communication without revealing your true identity. In those situations with the help of these secondary numbers, you can communicate confidently without having concern or fear of leaking your personal contact or identity. Also, it helps to maintain privacy during such communication.

An individual can practice their anonymous identity. And have multiple benefits and advantages from secure communication to privacy maintenance during online dating or any online activity

Criteria for Choosing Temporary Phone Number Providers

Here are some of the criteria that you should consider when choosing a temporary phone number provider:

1. Reputation of Temporary Number Providers: Check the review of the temporary number providers before making a purchase to make sure they have a good reputation for giving excellent customer support and reliable temporary service phone number service.
   
2. International Coverage: Not all temporary number providers provide international coverage to ensure that your target country is on their list and provide international coverage.
   
3. Number verification availability: Ensure your provided temporary number can be verified internationally.
   
4. Support Verification method: Also make sure that your disposable number can support the specific verification method such as text, SMS, voice call, and others.
   
5. Cost and Pricing Structure: Compare the pricing structure among the different temporary phone number providers and consider the cost and pricing structure, including any international charges.
   
6. Number Type: Various types of numbers may affect the verification process so before getting a temporary number check such as local, International or toll-free number.
   
7. Privacy and Security: Make sure that service providers prioritize customer data security and privacy.  is important to share a temporary number for verification and to provide privacy for your personal information.

Top 7 Best Temporary Phone Number Apps

All Service providers may have the same services and motivation but they have some differences according to their features, pricing plans, User Interface, and Customer support.

So, Let’s dig into some of the best Temporary and virtual Phone number apps that you  can use:

1. Dialaxy

Dialaxy is a cloud-based contact center solution that provides a virtual number suitable for businesses of all sizes, especially for call centers.

It helps businesses with a better communication system with a user-friendly dashboard and multiple features for effective call solutions.

Key features:

• Unified callbox
• Call forwarding and monitoring
• Call center and contact center software
• CRM Integration
• Call Filters
• Voice mail

Price Plan:

• Essential: $16.99 user/month
• Standard: $14.99 user/month
• Enterprise: Custom request.

2. Burner

Burner is also a virtual number provider company. It provides a free US mobile number for OTP verification. But it gives a free trial period for a limited time. To use its service for a longer period you have to purchase a subscription plan.

Key features:

• Call management
• Custom Voicemail
• Contact blocking 

3. CallHippo

It is another communication system with a virtual number service provider. It offers a range of virtual numbers in the US with mobile, landlines, and toll-free.

Key features:

• Call management
• Call recording
• Automatic call distribution
• IVR (Interactive Voice Response)

4. DialerHQ 

DialerHQ is a modern business cloud phone solution. It also provides the number from different countries. With the free trial, you can give a try to feel their service just like other service providers.

Key features:

• Call recording
• Good Call Quality
• International call and text

5. Hushed 

Hushed is another free virtual number provider in the US. By signing up for their account using their app you can get a free trial of 3 days and use a virtual number. It is suitable for OTP verification messages. Similar to other providers it also provides a long-term plan with a paid subscription.

Key features:

• Multiple Numbers
• Call Routing
• Call Forwarding
• Auto-Reply Messages

6. Numero eSIM

Numero eSIM also provides a free virtual number. To get a free number you need to download their app from the Google Play Store or App Store, create an account, and log in. You can make and receive calls, texts, and OTP verification from various platforms.

Key features:

• Call forwarding
• Call and SMS credit
• International call and text
• Voice mail

7. Ringover

Ringover is a cloud telephony system with suitable features for businesses of various sizes; it assists businesses in leveraging their communication system between employees and customers.

Key features:

• One-click call 
• Data synchronization
• Call monitoring
• Unlimited calling

Conclusion

It is crucial to get trusted, reliable service, and customer support from the temporary phone number provider to maintain your privacy and security whether for online dating, online form registration, or a certain intended purpose.  

It is important to follow good practice when using a temporary phone number by borrowing a relative’s or friend’s number to prevent trouble and misunderstanding.

FAQS

How do I temporarily get a new phone number?

You can get your temporary new number from the virtual number service provider or You can use apps like Google Voice, Burner, and OpenPhone that allow users to get temporary numbers for a variety of communication purposes with privacy.

How to get a phone number for free?

You can get a free phone number from a free trial provided by a virtual phone number service provider like Dialaxy. But getting a phone number for free is difficult.

Is there such a thing as a temporary phone number?

Yes, you can use these phone numbers for disposal or temporary purposes to hide your genuine identity from an unknown or unwanted person.

How do I get a spare phone number?

You can get the spare phone number by contacting your phone or mobile service provider or visiting them physically and letting them know you want a spare phone number. But if you are looking to get a spare virtual phone number then from the Dialaxy you can get it.