How to use Google Voice as a secondary number to keep your real number private while still being reachable.
Google Voice is a free service from Google that provides you with a separate phone number that can ring your existing phone. It functions as a complete second phone line — calls, texts, and voicemail — without a second SIM card or phone. The number works over the internet and rings on your phone, computer, or any device with the Google Voice app.
Google Voice numbers are US-based, available in most area codes, and completely free for personal use. The service includes voicemail transcription, spam filtering, and call screening. It's the simplest and most cost-effective way to maintain phone number privacy.
Visit voice.google.com or download the Google Voice app. Sign in with your Google account and select a number in your preferred area code. You'll need to link it to an existing phone number for verification, but calls to your Google Voice number will ring on any device where you're signed in.
Configure forwarding: Google Voice can ring your cell phone, home phone, or work phone. Enable Do Not Disturb during off-hours. Turn on voicemail transcription and spam filtering in Settings. The entire setup takes under 5 minutes.
Use your Google Voice number for: online forms and registrations, dating apps and new social contacts, Craigslist and marketplace listings, business contacts you don't fully trust, restaurant reservations and delivery orders, and any situation where your number might end up in a marketing database.
Keep your real number for: family and close friends, your bank and financial institutions, medical providers, employer, and government agencies. This separation ensures that if your Google Voice number gets compromised by spam, your real number remains clean.
Google Voice (free): best overall value, includes spam filtering, works internationally, integrates with Google ecosystem. Burner ($4.99/month): provides truly disposable numbers you can create and destroy; better for one-time use. Hushed ($3.99/month): similar to Burner with international number options.
For permanent privacy, Google Voice is the clear choice — it's free and full-featured. For temporary situations (selling items online, short-term projects), Burner or Hushed offer disposable numbers that can't be traced back to you.
Google Voice has some limitations: it can't receive short codes (some 2FA verification texts won't work), some services don't accept VoIP numbers for verification (banks and government agencies may reject it), and 911 service is limited (use your real number for emergency situations).
Additionally, Google Voice numbers can be identified as VoIP by some caller ID services, which may cause recipients to screen your calls. For situations requiring a "real" mobile number, your actual carrier number is still necessary.
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