How to Get a Temporary Phone Number? A Step-by-Step Guide

Having a reliable phone number is essential for your personal and professional communication 📞. But sometimes, you also need a temporary phone number to maintain your privacy or protect your actual phone number. 

Temporary phone numbers are convenient solutions if you are a frequent traveler, business professional, and someone who simply worries about privacy. These numbers are useful for those who don’t want to share their personal phone number or who need a separate number for work-related calls, texts, or voicemails. 

In this guide, we will equip you with knowledge about how temporary phone numbers work, how to get one for yourself, and suggest you five best temporary phone number apps. We also cover the cost of a temporary phone number and when you should get one. 

What Is a Temporary Phone Number?

A temporary phone number refers to a virtual phone number used for a short period of time. This number is also known as a disposable phone number, which serves as your temporary communication partner. You can use these phone numbers to sign up for websites, games, or apps, online shopping, and socializing with strangers. 

This number will automatically hide your genuine digits from potential misuse and spam. In addition, this phone number allows you to call someone without showing them your real phone number. These numbers come as your actual entire phone number range.

For example: you’re browsing online and stumble upon an incredible deal for concert tickets. But to snag these tickets, you need to verify your account with a phone number. You don’t want to hand out your personal number for fear of spam calls. This is where a temporary cell phone number comes in.

How Does a Temporary Number Work?

The temporary phone numbers are virtual ones and not tied to a physical device. It generates a specific phone number for a certain period of time or for a particular use. Then, the number will be displayed on other people’s mobile phones when you call someone instead of showing your actual number. But when someone calls or texts you, it automatically routes to your actual device. Once the pre-defined time or purpose is passed, the number becomes inactive.

These numbers are ideal for several purposes, including online dating, anonymous communication, online transactions, and others who want to protect their personal information from potential unauthorized access. These certain time numbers allow you to defend against potential privacy invasions.

How to Get a Temporary Phone Number?

Privacy and security matter a lot in this digital era, especially in protecting your information from hackers. And your primary number contains your personal information that could get access by someone easily. Therefore, to protect your privacy, throwaway phone numbers emerge. 

There are several methods to get a temporary phone number. Here are a few methods that you can look out for:

Using a Virtual Phone Number

• Free Services for Incoming SMS Confirmation: There are certain websites and apps that offer you free inbound SMS services. It allows you to send and receive text messages without any dedicated phone number. It is useful for you when you just need a temporary phone number to receive a confirmation code while registering for an account. 

• Temporary Number Apps: Multiple temporary number apps have been developed over time to address the need for temporary phone numbers to make calls and send text messages. These apps offer you a new virtual phone number that can be used for a certain period of time. It helps you call someone without showing your actual phone number. 

• Taking Out a Friend’s Phone: As the temporary phone number is used for a short time only, you can also ask your friends and family for assistance. Then, you can call or text them on their second phone number without giving them your primary phone number. But always remember to proceed with caution and confirm that this strategy respects the privacy choices of both the friend or family and the unknown caller. 

• TextPlus for SMS-Only Service: TextPlus assigns you a free virtual phone number mainly for sending and receiving SMS messages. Even though it doesn’t support calls, this could be a great option if you just want to send or receive text messages. 

Buying a Temporary Use Phone or Card 

• Acquire a Prepaid Mobile Phone: For temporary use, you can also purchase prepaid cell phones from mobile carriers. It includes a new phone number with a certain credit for calls and texts. A prepaid cell phone is not bound by any contracts and is exponentially cheap. 

• Get a SIM card for temporary use: Temporary use SIM cards can be used in unlocked phones and are available in selected regions only. You can find these SIM cards in mobile shops or convenience stores. It has a limited credit that you can use to call or send text messages. 

• Using your mobile provider, change your phone number: Whether you don’t like the same phone number for too long or don’t prefer third-party services, requesting the mobile provider to change their number temporarily could be a feasible option. In the process, a certain amount of fees can be required, or some carriers offer as part of the package. 

When Should You Get a Disposable Phone Number?

Freely sharing your actual phone number for every online interaction can feel intrusive and expose your information to potential span or privacy concerns. 

This is where disposable phone numbers enter. It offers you a convenient solution for specific situations. But when exactly does using a disposable phone number make sense? So, let’s explore some scenarios in which you have to get a disposable phone number:

• Signing up for an account on websites: You might need to sign up for several apps and websites for a short time. So, providing an actual number can lead to potential leaks of your personal information. In this case, you need a temporary phone number. 

• Online dating: Nowadays, most people sign up for online dating to find a match. But entering your actual number can be possibly a security threat. Therefore, temporary phone numbers should be used, which act as an additional layer of security to reduce these risks.

• Making a phone out of an old device: No wonder people switch to a new model, leaving the old one unused. So, instead of abandoning older smartphones, you can use these phones by obtaining temporary phone numbers. 

• Maintaining a side business: For aspiring entrepreneurs, keeping personal and work life can be challenging. But getting a temporary phone number is a simple yet effective solution. This allows for the segregation of work and personal life. 

• Selling goods online: To sell products, individuals need to place an ad to reach more people. Keeping your personal number in the ad can be dangerous. For this, a temporary phone number is the ideal solution, as it keeps you anonymous during transactions.  

How Much Does a Burner Phone Number Cost?

There are no specific prices, as the cost of a burner phone number depends on the provider and the specific features offered. On average, a burner phone number ranges from $1.99 for a temporary prepaid number with 50 minutes of talk and 100 texts lasting 30 days.

For unlimited calls, texts, and pictures, you have to pay, on average, $9.99 per month. Further, some services provide alternative pricing structures, such as starting at $4.99 per month for a single-line subscription with unlimited calls, texts, and pictures.

Therefore, it’s important to consider the different plans and pricing options available to choose the most suitable and cost-effective burner phone number for your needs. 

Conclusion

It’s essential to have a temporary phone number in case you have to constantly sign up for new websites and games. 

This temporary phone number generates a specific phone number, allowing you to call and send text messages for a short period of time. Then, it automatically becomes inactive. You can easily get a temporary number just by using a virtual phone number or buying a temporary phone or card. 

In addition, you can get disposable numbers from Google Voice, Burner, Hushed, and many more. The cost of these numbers depends on the provider and the features they offer. 

Using temporary numbers can be great, but it comes with many limitations, such as limited functions, reliability, quality, security concerns, and lack of personalization.

So, we recommend getting a virtual phone number from a reliable service provider like KrispCall. With KrispCall, you can get a range of features, including custom caller ID. You can securely contact other people without revealing your actual number. 

💡Get a virtual phone number online today from KrispCall and get benefits from using advanced features. 

FAQ

Can I have a temporary number?

Yes, you can have a temporary phone number. These virtual numbers are usable for a limited time and specific purpose, most commonly known as burner numbers. It is used for online verification, SMS receiving, and maintaining privacy. 

Are temporary phone numbers legal?

Temporary phone numbers are generally legal to use. But you can’t use these numbers for illegal activities. For example, in the United States, the legality of temporary phone numbers is upheld as long as used for lawful purposes. 

Are temporary phone numbers safe to use?

Yes, temporary phone numbers are generally safe to use, especially when you get them from reputable sources. These numbers serve as a protective barrier that prevents direct access to personal information. It reduces the risk of identity theft, unauthorized access, span, and unsolicited calls. 

Why do I need a temporary number?

There are several scenarios where you need a temporary phone number. This includes online dating, business, travel, and selling items online. These numbers safeguard your privacy, enhance control, and ensure security. 

How can I get a temporary mobile number?

You can easily get one for yourself from various online services that provide temporary phone numbers for SMS verification and online privacy.  These services offer free or paid options to generate temporary numbers that can be used for receiving SMS messages, registering on websites, and bypassing OTP.

Arun Chaudhary

Arun is SEO Analyst at KrispCall. He has written in extensively in the field of cloud telephony and call center solutions.