How to Text From a Different Number (2026 Guide)

Most people who search for this have an ordinary reason. They are selling a couch, texting a landlord, replying to a first date, or signing up for something, and they would rather not hand out the number their family, bank and employer already have.

That is a normal privacy habit, much like using a burner number, and it is what this guide covers. It does not cover making a message look like it came from a number you do not own. We say more about that near the end.

Ways to text from a different number

There are four common routes. The details below were checked on October 25, 2026, and they can change.

Method	Cost	What you need	Best for
Second-number app (such as HashPhone)	Paid subscription	A phone with Wi-Fi or data	Keeping a separate number for ongoing personal use
Google Voice	Check Google's current terms	US availability, ID verification, a phone that can get a text code	People in the US who want a free option and can accept the setup
Second line (dual SIM or eSIM)	Whatever the carrier charges	A supported phone and a carrier that offers eSIM or a second SIM	People who want a second carrier line
Free ad-supported apps	Free, with ads	An account and regular use	Short-term or casual texting

No option wins everywhere. The right one depends on how long you need the number and how much setup you will put up with.

How to text from a different number with a second-number app

The steps are about the same on iPhone and Android. Our guides for a second number on iPhone and a second number app on Android go deeper on each platform.

1. Download HashPhone or another second-number app, and create an account.
2. Choose a number. With HashPhone you can pick a US area code.
3. Start the plan or trial shown in the app.
4. Start a new message, type the person's number, and write your message.
5. Send it. They see your second number, not your main one.
6. Check replies inside the app. Replies come back to the second number, not to your regular messages app.

Because the app runs over Wi-Fi or mobile data, you do not need a second SIM card or a second phone. The tradeoff is that you have to open the app to see replies, so turn on its notifications.

HashPhone is built for this: a personal US or Canadian number for one-to-one calls and texts on iPhone, iPad and Android, with unlimited talk and text and no ads. It is also affordable. US prices are $2.99 a week, $6.99 a month, or $24.99 a year, which is about $2 a month on the yearly plan, checked October 25, 2026. Current trial status:

If you later want a new number, Settings > Change Number replaces it. That is a one-time $2.99 purchase in the US each time, and the old number is deleted, so finish any conversations on it first.

Google Voice

Google Voice gives you a number for calls, texts and voicemail. It is the best-known option for personal use, but it comes with real conditions.

• New users must complete identity verification during sign-up. Google asks for a legal name, a valid government-issued ID and an address. Until that is done, you cannot send or receive messages or calls. Review can take up to 3 business days.
• Setup also texts a code to a phone, so your phone must be on and able to receive texts.
• Some services reject Google Voice numbers for sign-ups.

If you only want a free number for personal use and do not mind the ID step, it can work well. Our comparison of Google Voice alternatives for personal use covers where it falls short.

A second line with dual SIM or eSIM

Some phones can hold two lines at once. On iPhone, Apple says you can use a physical SIM and an eSIM together on models with a SIM tray, or two eSIMs on supported models. You need an iPhone XS or later, and your carrier has to support eSIM.

This route gives you a real mobile line from a carrier, which some services trust more than an app number. It also costs a carrier plan, and it takes more setup. Before you send a text, check which line the phone has selected, because the wrong choice means the wrong number goes out. For a side-by-side look, see second number app vs eSIM.

Free apps and their catches

Apps like TextNow give you a number for free with ads. The catch is that the number is not guaranteed to stay yours. TextNow says a new number that is not used to text or call within the first 24 hours of activation can expire. For older numbers it says there is no fixed limit on inactivity, but a number can be revoked, and it sends a warning first. Calling or texting from the number at least once a day keeps it active, and a paid plan locks it to your account.

That works for a quick task. If a landlord, a buyer or a date may need to reach you again next month, plan to keep the number active. Our guide to free second phone number apps lists the tradeoffs, and our TextNow vs Google Voice comparison goes deeper on those two.

Does *67 hide your number in a text?

No. The *67 code is a calling feature. Verizon describes it as a way to block your number from being displayed for a specific call, and its caller ID blocking page does not say it applies to texts. Other carriers may differ, so check your own carrier's help page before relying on it.

If you want a text to come from a different number, you need a different number. A star code will not do it.

What the other person sees, and can they reply

They see the number you sent from. If you text from a second-number app, that is the app number, and your main number does not appear in the message.

Yes, they can reply. The reply goes to the second number and shows up in the same app. If you delete that number or let it lapse, replies to it stop reaching you. For a sale, a rental inquiry or a date, keep the number until the conversation is truly over. Our guides to online dating privacy and Facebook Marketplace show how that plays out.

If the other person saved your second number as a contact, they can text it again later. That is the point of having a stable number you control.

Can you text someone anonymously?

Not really. A second number keeps your main number private, which is different from being anonymous. The app or carrier you use keeps account and billing records under its privacy policy. Subscriptions are also billed through your Apple or Google account.

So treat it as a privacy tool for ordinary life, not a disguise. The broader case for keeping your main number to yourself is in why you should never share your real phone number.

What this is not for

A second number is for texting from a number you actually own. It is not for any of these:

• Making a message look like it came from someone else's number or a business's number. That is spoofing, and we do not explain how to do it.
• Contacting someone who has blocked you. If a person has blocked your number, they have told you they do not want the contact. A new number does not change that.
• Harassing, threatening or pressuring anyone, or sending unwanted messages in bulk.

In the US, the Truth in Caller ID Act makes it unlawful, in connection with a voice or text messaging service, to knowingly cause caller ID to show misleading or inaccurate information with the intent to defraud, cause harm or wrongfully obtain anything of value. Texting from your own second number is a different thing and is not spoofing.

FAQ

How do I text someone from a different number on my iPhone?

Install a second-number app, choose a number, and send the message from inside the app. Or use a second line through eSIM or dual SIM if your carrier and iPhone support it. Your regular Messages app will keep using your main number unless you change the selected line.

Can I send an SMS from a different number?

Yes, from a number you own or control, such as an app number, a Google Voice number or a second line. You cannot lawfully make a text appear to come from a number that is not yours when the aim is to deceive or cause harm.

How can I send a text anonymously?

You cannot fully. A second number hides your main number from the recipient, but providers keep records, and the person you text may still work out who you are from what you write. Do not rely on any number for anonymity.

How do I send a message from a different number for free?

Ad-supported apps like TextNow can be free to start, and Google Voice may be an option too, with the ID check described above. Free numbers can come with ads or activity rules. For ongoing use, a paid number like HashPhone starts at $2.99 a week.

Will the person I text know it is me?

Not from the number alone, since they see your second number instead of your main one. They may still recognize you from what you write. If they do not know the number yet, a short introduction in your first message avoids confusion.

Which option to choose

For a one-off task, a free app or Google Voice may be enough. For a number people will text back for weeks, a paid second number like HashPhone keeps those conversations in one ad-free app, from $2.99 a week.