You’ve probably been there. Maybe you're trying to sell an old couch on Craigslist and don't want some stranger having your primary digits. Or perhaps you’re orchestrating a surprise party and need to coordinate without the guest of honor seeing a familiar name pop up on a shared screen. Sometimes, you just want to text a number from a fake number because privacy feels like a luxury these days.
It’s surprisingly easy. But it’s also a minefield of glitchy apps, subscription traps, and weird legal gray areas.
Most people think "fake number" and immediately picture shady characters in spy movies. In reality, it's a standard tool for freelancers, journalists, and anyone tired of their personal phone number ending up on a marketing list sold by a data broker. You aren't necessarily "faking" your identity; you're just creating a digital buffer.
Why People are Using Secondary Lines in 2026
Privacy isn't a hobby anymore. It's a necessity. Every time you give your real number to a grocery store loyalty program or a random "win a free iPad" site, you’re basically handing over a key to your digital life. Your phone number is often tied to your bank account, your Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and your social media profiles.
Using a temporary or "fake" number stops that trail dead in its tracks.
Honestly, the term "fake" is a bit of a misnomer. These are real, functional VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) numbers. They send and receive data over the internet rather than through a traditional cellular tower connection. When you text a number from a fake number, the recipient sees a standard 10-digit code. They have no idea it’s coming from an app on your iPad or a browser window on your laptop.
The Best Ways to Get a Burner Number
You’ve got options. Some are free, most are "freemium," and the best ones cost a few bucks.
Google Voice is the old reliable here. It’s free, it’s tied to your Google account, and it gives you a permanent secondary number. The catch? It’s not exactly "anonymous." If Google knows who you are, the "fake" number is still linked to your real identity. It’s great for business, but maybe not for total ghosting.
Then there are the dedicated burner apps.
Burner (the app actually named Burner) is probably the most famous. It lets you create multiple numbers and "burn" them whenever you’re done. You get a number, use it to text that person from the Facebook Marketplace, and then hit a button to delete the number forever. Any future texts sent to that number just disappear into the digital void.
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Hushed is another heavy hitter. They often have "lifetime" deals on sites like StackSocial. It works similarly to Burner but tends to have better international support. If you need to text someone in the UK while you're sitting in a coffee shop in Chicago, Hushed handles that better than most.
Don't forget about TextNow. This one is a favorite for people on a budget because it’s ad-supported. You can get a number for free, but you have to use it regularly or they’ll reclaim the number and give it to someone else. It's a bit annoying, but for a quick one-off text, it works.
How to Text a Number From a Fake Number Without Looking Like a Bot
The biggest hurdle isn't getting the number. It's getting the other person to actually reply.
We are all traumatized by "Scam Likely" calls and random "Hey, is this John?" texts from bots. If you text a number from a fake number, you have about three seconds to prove you're a human.
Start with context. If you just say "Hi," you’re getting blocked. Instead, try something like: "Hey, this is Sarah from the hiking group, using my work line. Just wanted to check about Saturday."
Specifics matter.
Also, keep in mind that many of these VoIP numbers are flagged by major services. If you’re trying to use a fake number to sign up for a new WhatsApp account or verify a Tinder profile, it might not work. Companies have massive databases of "non-fixed VoIP" numbers. They know these aren't "real" cell phones and will often block the verification SMS.
The Legal Reality Check
Let’s be real for a second.
Spoofing—which is making your caller ID show a specific number that you don't actually own—is a whole different ball game. In many places, including the US under the Truth in Caller ID Act, spoofing with the intent to defraud or cause harm is illegal.
However, using a secondary number app is perfectly legal. You own that number (at least temporarily). You are the legitimate sender.
Just don't use it for harassment. Don't use it for "swatting" or any other nonsense. The anonymity of these apps is also thinner than you think. While the person you’re texting can’t see who you are, the app provider has your IP address, your payment info, and your device ID. If a subpoena shows up, they will hand that info over.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes the text just won't go through. It’s frustrating.
Often, this happens because the recipient's carrier is aggressively filtering VoIP traffic. Since spam is 90% of phone traffic these days, carriers like Verizon and AT&T have tightened the screws. If your text a number from a fake number fails, try sending it without links or images first. Many filters automatically flag VoIP texts containing URLs as high-risk.
Another issue is "number recycling." Since these numbers are "burned" and reused, you might inherit a number that was previously used by a telemarketer. If you start getting weird texts meant for someone else, just burn the number and get a new one. That's the whole point.
Putting it into Practice: Your Next Steps
If you’re ready to reclaim some privacy, don’t just download the first app you see. Start small.
First, decide on your "threat model." Is this for long-term business use? Go with Google Voice or Skype Number. Is this for a one-time Craigslist transaction? Use Burner or Hushed.
Once you have the app:
- Pick a local area code. People are way more likely to answer a number that looks like it’s from their neighborhood.
- Send a test text. Message your own real number first to see how the ID appears and ensure the service is active.
- Check the notification settings. These apps often get "put to sleep" by your phone’s battery saver, meaning you’ll miss the reply. Whitelist the app in your settings.
- Watch the credits. Most of these services use a credit system. Don’t get halfway through an important conversation only to realize you’re out of "minutes" or "text credits."
Privacy is a fading concept, but using a secondary line is a solid way to build a fence around your personal life. It’s simple, it’s relatively cheap, and it keeps the telemarketers at arm's length. Just remember to be human on the other end of the line. No one likes a mystery text that sounds like a script.