How to get a second phone number

You can get a second phone number by downloading and using an app. Or, if you have a dual SIM phone, you can have two phone numbers on the same phone — either through your existing carrier or by adding a different phone plan.   

Here’s why you might want a second number and how to get one.  

Why get a second phone number? 

The most common reasons for getting a second phone number are:  

• Business: Having a separate number lets you keep work or your side hustle out of your personal space. It's a good way to make sure business communications don't get lost in the shuffle. (Check out the best business phone plans for a couple great options.)  
• Privacy and safety: You can avoid oversharing your personal number by using a second number for online dating, financial transactions, online marketplaces, service providers, subscriptions, retailers etc. This is a great way to sign up for marketing alerts or sales alerts without cluttering your primary number. You might also want to use a second number when signing up for a texting or messaging app, to avoid sharing your primary number if you have privacy concerns.  
• Travel and international calling: You might use a second number to get cheaper international calling from home than your main phone plan offers. Also, if you're concerned about the costs of data roaming when traveling, it’s often cheaper to get an international SIM card suited to your destination than to add an international package to your existing plan.  
• Better coverage and a backup: You can use two different network providers to get better cell service coverage. And a second number gives you a backup if your main number is lost or compromised. 

>> Read more: Need a 2-line phone plan instead? Check out unlimited data plans for 2 lines.

How much does it cost to get a second phone number? Can I get one for free? 

You can get a second number for free by using a calling app. For example, TextNow offers service starting at $0 for a phone number with nationwide coverage.  

If you opt to go through a phone carrier, costs start as low as $10-$15 a month for a second number service or an inexpensive talk & text plan. For the cheapest choices look to MVNO phone plans. 

Can you have two numbers on one phone? 

Yes, there are two ways to have two numbers active on one phone: 

Free second phone number apps: You can use a free calling app or a free texting app to get a second number. These virtual phone number apps don’t require a SIM card or phone plan, because they use an internet connection for Voice over Internet (VoIP) calling, like TextNow or TextFree. However, some offer the flexibility to add a SIM card to allow cellular data access.  

Dual SIM phones: These phones have two SIMs, and you can have a different number on each SIM. That lets you add a second number through your existing carrier or choose a different phone plan for the second line.  

How to get a free second phone number app 

Several free calling apps offer no- or low-cost plans for calls, texts and sometimes data — including TextNow’s $0 Free Flex plan, TextFree, Google Voice, Helium Mobile, 2ndLine, and more.  

Here’s how to use them:  

1. Figure out your service needs 

Not every app provides a full range of talk, text and data options. Consider how you'll use the second phone number:  

• Do you want to make only domestic calls, or do you need international calling? Some apps charge for international calling.  
• Do you plan to use your phone only, or would you like the option to use a tablet or even desktop computer?  
• Do you need features like voicemail transcription, call forwarding, or a business tool like text marketing capability?  
• Do you need some data, even if it’s just a small amount for basic functions like email, maps, rideshare, or banking? 

Be sure to compare the details of the apps to make sure it'll cover your needs. (If your main concern is messaging, rather than needing a second number, you could consider a free texting app.) 

2. Choose an app 

After you’ve narrowed down options by the services you want, look at deciding factors like user reviews. Read the terms and conditions so you understand details like whether you need to use the number regularly or otherwise act to keep it in service. For example, TextNow has a Lock In Number service for a small monthly fee so your number doesn’t get recycled for lack of use, or you can subscribe to the Ad-Free+ level. 

Some popular apps include:  

• TextNow: Choose an area code and phone number. The $0 Free Flex plan gives you unlimited calls and texts in the U.S. and Canada, and free calls to select international calls. You also get up to 1GB data for key apps like email, maps, finance, and rideshare, with option to add more in day, week- and month-long increments. 
• Google Voice: Choose an area code and phone number. Free calls and texts in the U.S. and Canada, and international calls for a fee. Paid level for business use. 
• 2ndLine: Choose an area code and phone number. Unlimited calls, texts in U.S. and Canada, with a paid level for international calls.  

More specialized apps include:  

• Hushed: Lets you choose a second phone number, or a series of disposable phone numbers, using U.S., Canada and UK numbers. Plans start at $3.99 a month.  
• Burner: Lets you create up to three phone numbers, and lets you delete numbers. Monthly plan is $9.99.  
• OpenPhone, Dialpad, Nextiva, RingCentral: These are some of the VoIP apps designed for business use, which offer things like automated answering, call routing messages, and analytics.  

3. Download the app and set up service 

Once you’ve downloaded an app, it will walk you through the steps needed to set up an account. You typically get to choose a number from a list of options, and you may be able to choose an area code as well. 

Once you’ve chosen a number and set up your account, you can configure things such as a voice mail box, forwarding of calls and texts, and any other options the app provides.  

To use the app, you’ll need to connect to the internet, since these apps don’t use a cellular network. Once connected, you make calls and texts as usual.   

How to get a second number on a dual SIM phone 

Most phones made in recent years have dual SIM capability, whether that’s two physical cards, two eSIMs or one of each. Because the SIM is what identifies your phone plan and allows your phone to connect to a cellular network, having two in one phone makes it easy to have two numbers on one device.  

1. Make sure your phone has dual SIM 

You can just search online for your phone’s model or simply look at its settings.  

• On an iPhone: Go to Settings -> General -> About, then scroll down to the SIM information. (All iPhones sold in the U.S. have dual eSIM starting with iPhone 14.) 
• On an Android: Go to Settings and look for either Network & Internet or Connections, then find SIM info under Mobile Network or SIM Card Manager.  

2. Choose a plan for the second SIM 

The carrier you use might offer a second number for a small monthly charge. For example, Verizon postpaid plans let you add a number on your second SIM card for $15 a month. It includes unlimited talk and text in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, but any data used comes from your main plan. T-Mobile's DIGITS plan lets you add a second number to a postpaid plan for $10 a month. (And you can have up to five lines accessible on a single phone.)

Or you might choose a phone plan from another carrier. You might want to add a cheap phone plan to keep costs down or choose something that offers better costs for calls to international numbers than your main plan. Keep in mind that MVNO phone plans tend to be cheaper. 

3.  Activate and manage the second number 

Follow the instructions from the carrier to activate the SIM that will hold your second number. It’s especially easy with eSIMs, because you simply scan a QR code or follow an activation code that’s provided. You get started right away without waiting for a physical SIM to arrive.  

With two SIMs active, you can go into Settings to label each line, maybe “personal” and “business” or whatever you want. The process varies depending on your phone model but generally will be accessed in Settings.  

Frequently asked questions about second phone numbers