A secondary phone number for your Android device is an excellent way to keep your primary number a bit more private and secure. It adds a layer of anonymity, allowing you to use the number for a service or call anyone without divulging your identity.
There are quite a few services out there that will provide an extra phone number for use with your Android device. Most of them also tend to be free. If you’re looking for a way to prevent using your personal number, a secondary phone number app will definitely do the trick.
“Any other ways to add a second line without the use of an app?”
Below, I’ve provided a few different apps that can help you achieve your goal of adding a secondary phone number. However, if you’d prefer to skip the apps, the only other way to add a second line is to have a dual-SIM smartphone. This particular option works best for those who frequently travel internationally and wish to avoid long-distance or roaming charges.
I’ll talk about that at the end of the article, but for now, let’s start with a few apps.
Apps To Add A Second Line To Your Android Phone
Using one of these apps is likely the best way to add a second phone number to your Android device. They’re simple to set up and use and most only require a quick download and install to get started.
Sideline, is an amazing option for a secondary phone number app. This is especially true for those who own a business or are looking to have a second number for work calls. Simplify your work life using Sideline’s awesome features: number porting, unlimited text, voicemail, and calling linked to your carrier minutes.
Unlike VoIP services, Sideline will use your carrier network for call reliability to ensure you keep the quality of your calls. It also features group messaging, a separate caller ID, voicemail to text, optional VoIP service, and business texting.
Setup is simple and the app itself is easy to use. Create a number without any prior technical knowledge and keep your privacy.
Line2 is another well known secondary phone app and one of the best from which to choose. Make a separate number for job searches, your personal business, and more with an easy-to-use app available in multiple countries.
You get 1500 minutes free after downloading the app and there are no hidden charges to worry about. You’re able to acquire a local number for your needs or even an 800 number if you so wish. If you’d rather transfer an existing number over to the app, that works just as good.
Line2 has great features locked behind a few service plans. They offer monthly or annual plans beginning at the Standard plan of $9.95 per month. This particular plan provides you with unlimited text messaging, a US or Canada-based phone number, group calling, low international rates, and a nifty little widget for your website.
Yet another amazing app, CoverMe is a feature-rich service equipped with secure texting and private phone calls. When it comes to protecting your privacy, using CoverMe’s secure lines for phone calls and texts has no real competition. Both text and calls are treated with end-to-end military-grade encryption. You even have a password attached to your calls so that they can’t be picked up by strangers when you leave your phone out in the open.
The app also offers a private vault for storing your photos, videos, passwords, and sensitive documents. The private messages come with a self-destruct feature allowing you to set personalized notifications and decide if and when a text is wiped from your phone.
You’ll never once see any record of a phone call or text on your phone bill when using CoverMe. Even your contacts will remain secret! If you’re looking for ultimate protection for your phone from prying eyes, you can’t go wrong with CoverMe.
Using Google Voice is another great option as a second phone number with your Android device. The setup is rather simple, the service itself is completely free, and once everything is operational, you can use Google Voice as a second number for as long as you’d like.
You’ll need to tweak your Android device to use a Google Voice number to act as a second line as if it were a SIM card. When set as the primary number, every outgoing call will be made through the Google Voice number. This serves as your first option of concealing your primary number from call recipients. Google Voice comes with plenty of features and allows you to easily switch back and forth between its number and that of your SIM card.
I’m going to go ahead and fill you in on how to set up and use this service if you find the other apps, not to your liking.
Acquiring A Google Voice Number
Before you can get everything set up on your Android phone, you’ll first have to acquire a Google Voice number. Keep in mind that the phone number provided can only one of those found in either US or Canada. This also means that all calls outside of these two countries will result in applicable international charges.
To set up a Google Voice account:
First, you have to log in to Google Voice with a Gmail account email and the accompanying password.
Locate get a Voice number from the left side menu and click the link.
From here, you can choose to use an already existing phone number or have Google provide a new one for you.
Which one you decide will lead you to either entering an area code, zip code, or city name to create a new number or to port your existing number over.
Once you’ve entered the information necessary for a new number, you’ll get a list of available ones from which to choose. Make sure you select the right number for you as you will not be able to change the number for free later on.
Next, you’ll have to choose a forwarding number to use. This can be either a home or mobile number already activated.
You will then need to verify the forwarding number with a verification code. Click the call me now button to receive the code. Once you’ve received the code, enter it into the provided area.
The final thing to do is add a PIN for your voicemail.
Once finished, go back to your Google Voice dashboard and check for your number that should now be on the left side menu. It will have taken the place of the get a Voice number link.
Install The Google Voice App On Your Android Phone
Now that you’ve gotten a Google Voice number, you’ll need to install the Google Voice app onto your Android phone in order to use it. Download and install the Google Voice app from the Google PlayStore at no cost to you.
Once the app has been installed on your Android phone, launch it and log in to your Google Account in order to configure the Google Voice App. Use the same account that you used previously when acquiring your Google Voice number. After Google Voice has been set up on your Android phone, it’s time to configure the outgoing number.
Set The Outgoing Number As Google Voice On Your Android Phone
By default, all calls made from your Android device will originate from the SIM and use the phone number attached. This is assuming that you already have a working SIM card inside your Android phone. What you’ll want to set up now is how to swap between your SIM phone number and that of your Google Voice number.
To do so:
Launch the Google Voice app on your Android device and tap on the Settings icon.
Scroll down the screen until you come to the “Calls” section.
Tap on Calls started from this device’s phone app in order to choose which number will be used for all of the outgoing calls.
Select the number provided by Google Voice in order to set it.
To make it for all calls, choose Yes, all calls when given the option to do so.
If you’d rather be able to swap between your Google Voice number and SIM number, do not choose this option.
When making calls, it will prompt you which number you wish to use for the outgoing call, so long as Yes, all calls has not been selected.
This will make it so that the Google Voice number is the one that is shown on the receiving phone and not your private number.
International Calls Number
As previously stated, all calls using Google Voice are free so long as they are placed within the US or Canada. Hence the reason for choosing either a US or Canadian phone number when acquiring one.
For making calls outside of either the US or Canada, you can pay to add credit to your Google Voice account. This is likely a far cheaper option than the standard charges you’d otherwise receive going through your mobile service provider. The Google Voice service remains crisp, clear, and reliable throughout the call as interrupted service is very rare.
Located in the Google Voice app settings, you can set the Google Voice number as the default number for all international calls. When set, your Android phone will detect that it’s an international call being dialed and automatically select the Google Voice number to be used.
Direct All Incoming Calls To Your Android Phone
Using both your Android number and the Google Voice number on the same phone is super convenient. Another convenience is that all calls received to registered devices attached to your Google Voice account can be directed to your Android phone. You’ve already set up a call forwarding number when you created your Google Voice account. The following steps will teach you how to link additional phone numbers to the Google Voice account to have all calls forwarded to all of your Android devices.
To set this up:
First, you’ll need to ensure your mobile phone number is linked to your Google Voice account.
Login to Google Voice using your Gmail credentials.
Located to the top-right of the screen, click on Settings.
In the “Phones” tab, click the link to Add another phone.
The next pop-up will allow you to name the number, add the number, select the phone type, and choose if you’d like to receive texts to that number.
You can only receive texts to mobile numbers.
Click Save once finished.
You’ll then receive a new two-digit code similarly to when you set it up the first time. When Google calls, enter the two digits into the box provided to verify.
You can then place a checkmark into the box to enable call forwarding for that number.
Now, you can choose which of your Android devices will answer all incoming calls by:
Heading back into Google Voice Settings.
Select Calls > Incoming Calls > My Devices.
Choose which device you want to receive all incoming calls from the list of devices.
Now all calls will go directly to that device.
Confusion Between Google Voice and Carrier Calls
Making it so that a single Android device receives all calls to both the SIM and Google Voice number can be both confusing and overwhelming. It can get really difficult to identify which call is to which number. The solution to this issue is to turn on Incoming Call Options in your Google Voice app.
This will make it so that all calls to your Google Voice number will require you to press ‘1’ on the dial pad in order to accept it. All calls that are made to your private number will come through as usual without any interference. You can find this option in the Google Voice app Settings.
With this option enabled, your Android phone is now set up to work as if it were a dual-SIM phone. You can make international calls, hide your private number, and forward all calls to a specific device.
Speaking of dual-SIM smartphones…
Working With A Dual-SIM Android Phone
Dual-SIM phones are not extremely popular but they are definitely gaining a bit of traction. This is especially true for those who need to make international calls or who travel internationally on a regular basis. You can receive messages to your primary SIM number while using a local SIM for data while on vacation or business trip abroad.
Dual-SIM phones are a much better way to save money for the purposes mentioned as most mobile carriers have placed pretty ludicrous prices on their international plans. If your carrier happens to support WiFi calling, then you may be able to still use your primary number for calls in different countries. However, being someone who has worked abroad, WiFi in a lot of countries can be unreliable so it may be better to just purchase a dual-SIM phone.
Currently, the best dual-SIM Android phones available would have to be the OnePlus 6T and Huawei Mate 20 Pro. There are other solid models but are really more for those on a budget which usually leads to less quality.
Dual-SIM phones are very promising when it comes to the future of private calling. Once more carriers open up about providing services for them, you’re likely to see a real boost in their use. But for now, it may just be in your best interest to stick to one of the other provided recommendations above for a second phone number.
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