How to get a second phone number on iPhone: 5 ways compared
“Second number” means different things. A number your friends call for months needs a real line or a second-line app. A number you need once, for a verification code, does not. Here are the five options and what each one is actually for.
| Option | Calls and texts | Verification codes | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM from a carrier | Yes | Yes, widely accepted | Monthly plan | A real long-term second line |
| Second-line app (Burner, Hushed, Sideline) | Yes | Some services | Usually a subscription | A business or dating line |
| Free calling app (TextNow) | Yes | Some services | Free with ads, paid options | Calling and texting on a budget |
| Google Voice | Yes | Some services | Free | People in the US with an existing US number |
| Temporary number (CodeInbox) | No, receive only | Yes, one code per number | Credits per code | One-time sign-ups |
1. A second eSIM
Recent iPhones can hold more than one eSIM, so a second line from your carrier or a travel eSIM provider gives you a real mobile number. It is the most widely accepted option for verification, and the most expensive.
2. A second-line app
Apps such as Burner, Hushed and Sideline give you a number for calls and texts inside the app. Most are subscriptions: Burner’s listing shows $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year, and Hushed offers one- and three-line plans with a three-day trial. Hushed’s own listing notes that only some services accept its numbers for verification codes.
3. A free calling app
TextNow offers calling and texting with a free tier supported by ads, plus paid options. Like second-line apps, its numbers are not accepted everywhere for verification.
4. Google Voice
Personal Google Voice is available in the US and needs an existing US number to set up, so it rarely helps people outside the US.
5. A temporary number for codes
If all you need is to get past a verification screen, a temporary number is the cheapest and quickest route. In CodeInbox you pick the service and a country, receive the SMS in the app, and pay only when a code arrives. It cannot make calls or send texts, and the number is not yours to keep.
Get a number for one code
App StoreWhich one to choose
- People will call or text you for months: an eSIM or a second-line app.
- You want to call and text cheaply: a free calling app.
- You need a code once and never again: a temporary number.