How to Get a Second Phone Number (Without a Second Phone)

Short answer: You can get a second phone number without buying a second phone. The quickest way is a second-number service like TINE, which gives you a real number you call and text from your web browser, from about $5 a month. If you want a second carrier line instead, most phones from the last few years can hold two numbers at once with dual SIM or eSIM. If you live in the US and already have a US mobile number, Google Voice is a free option.

The 4 Ways at a Glance

Prices were checked on providers' own pages in October 2026. Want to replace your current number instead of adding one? See how to get a new phone number online.

1. Use a Second-Number App or Service

A second-number service gives you a real phone number that lives online instead of on a SIM card. People call and text it like any other number. You answer in an app or a web browser on the phone or laptop you already have.

How it works:

1. Sign up with the service.
2. Choose a country and area code, then pick a number.
3. Choose a plan.
4. Make and take calls and texts from the new number. People only see that number, not your personal one.

Why most people choose this:

• It's quick. You can be using the number within minutes.
• No second SIM or phone. It works on any device with an internet connection.
• You choose the area code. That helps if you want to look local to customers in another city.
• You can drop it when you're done. No contract.

The catches: it needs an internet connection, and a few services, often banks, won't send verification codes to any virtual number.

TINE gives you a real US, UK or Canadian number that you use in your web browser. US and Canadian numbers start at $5 a month, and you don't need ID or a US address. If you're comparing services, see our roundup of the best second phone number apps, or the best burner phone apps if you only need a number for a short time.

2. Put Two Numbers on One Phone With Dual SIM or eSIM

Most phones from the last few years can hold two lines at once. One can be a physical SIM and the other an eSIM, or both can be eSIMs. Each line has its own number, and you choose which one to call, text or use for data from.

Phones that support two numbers:

• iPhone: iPhone XS, XR and later support dual SIM. iPhone 13 and later can run two eSIMs at once. In the US, iPhone 14 and later have no SIM tray, so both lines are eSIMs.
• Google Pixel: Pixel 3a and later take a SIM plus an eSIM. Pixel 7 and later can run two eSIMs if your carrier allows it.
• Samsung Galaxy: many recent models support dual SIM, but it varies by model and country. Check your phone's settings.

How to add a second number on iPhone

1. Get an eSIM from the carrier you want for the second line.
2. Go to Settings > Cellular (called Mobile Data in some countries) and tap Add eSIM.
3. Follow the carrier's steps, or scan the QR code it gave you.
4. Under Settings > Cellular, set your Default Voice Line and choose which line uses cellular data.
5. In Messages, tap the number at the top of a new message to choose which line it goes from. You can also set a default line for each contact.

Apple's guide to using dual SIM has more detail.

How to add a second number on Android

• Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM, then set up the eSIM. Choose your default line for calls, texts and data on the same screen.
• Samsung Galaxy: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM. Under Preferred SIMs, choose the line for calls, messages and data.

What a second line costs

You still need a plan for the second line. Low-cost carriers keep this cheap. In October 2026, Tello had a $5-a-month plan with 300 minutes and unlimited texts but no data, and Spectrum Mobile customers could add a Second Line to the same phone for $10 a month.

The catches: you pay for a second plan every month, the number only works on that one phone, and you can't use it from your laptop.

3. Get a Free Number With Google Voice

Google Voice gives you a free US number for calls and texts in an app or browser. It's a good option if you live in the US and already have a US mobile number.

The catches:

• You need an existing US mobile number to set it up, so it doesn't work for most people outside the US.
• New numbers need ID. Google says people who request a new number can't call or text until they verify their identity with a government-issued ID.
• Unused numbers can be taken back. Google can reclaim a number after three months without calls or texts.

Want to compare all the no-cost options, including TextNow, TextFree and Talkatone? Read our guide to getting a free second phone number. Already on Google Voice and thinking of switching? See the best Google Voice alternatives.

4. Ask Your Carrier for a Second Line

Carriers used to sell second numbers that shared your existing phone. Most of those have gone:

• Verizon stopped its My Numbers feature on 28 February 2023.
• T-Mobile ended its free Proxy by DIGITS second number in 2025. DIGITS itself, which runs your same number on several devices, still exists.
• AT&T NumberSync shares your existing number across devices. It doesn't give you a second number.
• UScellular's wireless business became part of T-Mobile in August 2025.

So with most carriers, a second number now means paying for an extra line. If your phone supports eSIM, the carrier can usually add it to the phone you already have, as in method 2. Spectrum Mobile is the exception, with its $10 Second Line.

Need a Second Number for Your Business?

A separate business number keeps client calls out of your personal phone and lets you hand the number to a colleague later. You have the same choices as above, but a second-number service usually makes more sense than a second carrier line:

• You can share the number with a team.
• You can pick an area code where your customers are.
• It works on your laptop at your desk as well as on your phone.

TINE supports teams with shared numbers and roles. For setup steps, see how to set up a virtual number for business calls and our guide to virtual numbers for small businesses.

How to Set Up a Second Number With TINE

1. Go to tinetech.org and create an account with your email and the phone number you already have.
2. Choose a country and area code: the US, Canada or the UK.
3. Pick a number and a plan. US and Canadian numbers cost $5 a month, $13.49 for 3 months, $25.99 for 6 months or $49.99 a year (about $4.17 a month). Each plan includes some calling and texting credit.
4. Start calling and texting from your browser on your laptop or phone, with HD voice calls. To take calls, keep TINE open in a browser tab.

Tips for Managing Two Numbers

• Give each number one job. For example, personal on one, and work, selling or sign-ups on the other.
• Name your lines. On a dual-SIM iPhone, give each line a label under Settings > Cellular so you always know which one is ringing.
• Record a separate voicemail greeting for a business number.
• Check both regularly so nothing gets missed.
• Keep account logins on a number you'll keep. If you lose a number, you can lose access to any account that sends codes to it.

Why a Second Number Protects Your Privacy

Your phone number can lead someone to your name, address and social profiles through a reverse phone lookup. A second number for strangers, sign-up forms and marketplace buyers keeps your personal number out of those places. See our guide to selling on Facebook Marketplace without your real number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have two phone numbers on one phone?

Yes. Most phones from the last few years support dual SIM or eSIM, so you can run two carrier lines on one phone. You can also add a second number with an app or a browser-based service like TINE, without a second SIM.

Can I get a second phone number for free?

Yes, with Google Voice if you're in the US, or with ad-supported apps like TextNow and Talkatone. Each has catches, such as numbers that get taken back if you don't use them. See our free second phone number guide.

Can I get a second number without a SIM card?

Yes. Second-number services and apps give you a number that works over the internet, so you don't need a SIM or eSIM.

How much does a second phone number cost?

A second-number service costs from about $5 a month. A second carrier line on eSIM costs from about $5 to $15 a month on a low-cost carrier, or more on a major carrier.

Can I add a second number with my carrier?

Usually only by paying for an extra line. Verizon and T-Mobile have both ended their second-number add-ons. Spectrum Mobile offers a $10-a-month Second Line on the same phone.

Will people see my real number if I call from a second number?

No. When you call or text from TINE, people only see your TINE number.

The Bottom Line

You don't need a second phone to have a second number. For most people, a second-number service is the quickest and cheapest way, and it keeps your personal number private. If you want a full carrier line instead, use your phone's eSIM, and if you're in the US and happy to share ID with Google, Google Voice is free.