Ever wish you could separate work and personal calls without carrying two phones?
You might want one to keep your personal number private when using your phone for business calls. Or maybe you need a dedicated business number entirely.
Whether it’s for work, privacy, or convenience, this guide walks you through how to get a second phone number without needing a SIM card or a second phone. If you’re looking for a second phone number app for Androids or iPhones, you’ll also find a list of must-have features to look for.
How to get a second phone number on Quo in 3 steps
You can create a second phone number with Quo to use on your computer and smartphone in three simple steps:
- Sign up for an account with Quo. When you sign up, you can try Quo for free for seven days. Watch below to get a sneak peek:
- Pick a phone number. During signup, select your city or area code in the US or Canada to pick your phone number or select a North American toll-free number.
- Download the app. Pick your preferred plan and complete the signup process. Then, you can download the iOS or Android app to start calling and customizing your phone settings. You can also use Quo on your desktop without downloading an app. If you need help during the signup process, submit a request to reach our support team.
Here’s what our customers have to say about Quo:
- “We love seeing all the conversation history in one chat, and it makes it very easy to remember the details on all the previous calls. Definitely recommended.” — Arif Gozel, Esq., Gozel Law Firm PC
- “Quo has become a real partner in helping us grow our entire team and business.” — Owen Wible, Cornerstone
- “We’re so confident in saying, ‘Hey everybody, just get on Quo. Save yourself the time, save yourself the hassle.’” — Carter Smith, Pink’s Windows
4 Ways to get a second phone number
Here are a few popular options for getting a second phone number and how they stack up:
| Method | Best for | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps | Personal use or temporary needs | $0–$10+ per month | No upfront cost, quick setup | Ads, limited features, unreliable for business |
| Dual-SIM phones | Heavy phone users or those with dual-SIM preference | $30–$50+ per month | Works with data, easy to use | Requires compatible phone, managing two plans, limited business phone features |
| Second number with existing cell carrier | Individuals who want a business number with their carrier | $15–50+ per month | Unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada | Limited business features, can lock you into expensive contract |
| Business virtual phone apps | Small and growing businesses | $15–$50+ per month | Business features, team collaboration, scalable | Internet-dependent, some expensive providers |
Here are a few more details on each of these options to help you decide:
1. Free apps: Best for personal use
If you’re looking to try a second phone number, chances are you want to try one for free to see if it’s right for you.
Free apps like TextNow or 2nd Line work fine if you don’t mind ads and don’t need to keep the number long-term. They’re great for keeping your real phone number private when using Facebook Marketplace or dating apps. They help you block spam calls and telemarketing notifications, too.
The problem with free apps is they aren’t built to scale. If you want to use a free phone service for your business, you’ll quickly find they fall short. You can’t share your second number, split responsibility for incoming calls and texts, or integrate with third-party apps.
2. Dual SIM phones: Best for a second personal number
If you want two phone numbers but don’t want to deal with ads, a dual SIM phone is for you. They mimic the experience of having a second personal number. Simply ask your carrier for another phone line. Then you can add a second physical SIM to your dual SIM device. Many smartphones now let you add multiple SIMs to your phone with eSIMs.
The drawback with dual SIM or multi-SIM phones is similar to free apps: they aren’t built for business communications. You can’t share dual SIM or eSIM numbers with your team. You also can’t view your team communications in a shared inbox or log calls and texts with your CRM. It also lacks automated texting and any advanced AI features.
3. Second number with existing carrier: Best for legacy office bundles
If you run a business in a traditional office and want to bundle your phone and internet plan, this is the option for you. Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon offer deals on their phone and internet plans. You can get multiple phone lines at a discount with your internet plan.
The drawback of this approach? Cell carriers offer limited features in their business phone types. They don’t prioritize collaboration features like shared numbers or CRM integrations. They also don’t have call summaries and transcripts or AI voice agents to help you handle incoming calls 24/7.
4. Business virtual number apps: Best for businesses
Business virtual phone apps are ideal if you need to share phone numbers with your team. They’re also a great option for managing customer relationships and scaling communications as you grow.
Your team can use their existing devices to access business virtual phone apps. They just need to log in to your workspace to start making voice calls.
Free apps and carrier add-ons don’t have call routing, shared inboxes, CRM integrations, or other tools businesses depend on. That’s where business phone apps step in. The best part is they’re available at a low cost. For example, Quo, formerly OpenPhone, starts at $15 per user per month.
Already have a second number that isn’t working? Port your existing number to Quo to keep the number your customers know while upgrading to business features.
Why you might need to get a second phone number
Not yet convinced you need a second phone number?
Here are seven reasons why a second phone number can upgrade your business and your personal privacy:
1. Keep your personal phone number private
Getting an alternate phone number means you don’t have to give your personal number to customers. You also don’t have to publish it directly on your website, which means bad actors and spammers can’t scrape your personal details.
Plus, with separate contact books, you’ll know which phone calls are personal and which are for work. This way, you’ll know exactly how to respond to every incoming call.
2. Balance work and personal time
3 AM on a Wednesday, Thanksgiving night, a slow Sunday afternoon. When you use a personal phone for work, calls can come through at any time.
The right second phone number app lets you set working hours so customers know when they can reach you. When you’re unavailable, you can set up a voicemail or call forwarding workflow to keep customers informed.
With Quo, you can also set up an AI voice agent for after-hours and overflow calls. Sona can take calls 24/7, answer FAQs, and qualify leads so you don’t miss out on potential customers.
3. Share your business number with your team
When you rely on your personal phone, only you can answer calls — which makes it hard for others to help when you’re busy. Getting a separate business number with providers like Quo means you can split the responsibility with your people.
Shared numbers let you:
- Call and text as a team so there’s always someone to talk to a customer.
- Give everyone on the same number visibility into conversations so nothing gets missed or repeated.
- Use one phone number on two phones so you can stay flexible with who handles calls and when.
4. Keep detailed records without a second device
Unlike second line services or dual-SIM setups with carriers, business phone number apps record calls and generate call transcripts for future use. This helps you track what you’ve promised your customers and maintain a paper trail in case of disputes.
5. Connect your number to your business tools
With the right second phone number provider, you can share your call and message data with your CRM and Slack accounts. This means you don’t have to spend time keeping track of your customer relationships — you can focus on building them instead.
6. Minimize spam and robocalls
Second phone number apps like Quo let you set up IVR to screen calls and filter spam and robocalls. That’s because these automated callers can’t navigate phone menus.
On Quo, you can also add spam callers to your blocklist. Quo blocks numbers across your entire workspace so you can stomp out robocalls for your whole team.
7. Replace your landline
Landlines may be reliable, but they come with major limitations. You’re stuck in one location, you may pay expensive long-distance fees, and you can’t text customers. A virtual second phone number solves all three problems while letting you and your team work from anywhere.
Why professionals choose Quo for their second number
Quo gives you a flexible, secure way to manage calls and messages without carrying two phones. Here’s why 90,000+ businesses choose Quo to talk to their customers:
- Work from anywhere without missing calls — switch easily between your phone, computer, or tablet.
- Build a professional image with a toll-free, local US, or Canadian number instantly. Or easily port in your existing one.
- Stop worrying about usage limits — get unlimited calling, SMS, and MMS across the US and Canada.
- Get up and running in minutes — set up without extra hardware, SIM cards, or eSIMs.
- Protect your data with encryption and secure cloud storage. Conversations stay safe even if a device breaks.
Plus, Quo includes all the features growing businesses need to stay connected and professional.
Must-have features to look for in a second phone number
The right features make the difference between a helpful tool and a business headache. Here’s what to look for in the best second phone number app:
Essential collaboration features:
- Shared team inbox. Collaborate on text messages and calls with full oversight.
- Multiple user access. Let your entire team use the same business number.
- Internal threads. Discuss customers behind the scenes and assign tasks without switching apps.
Professional communication tools:
- Auto-reply texts. Respond instantly, even when you can’t answer.
- Custom voicemail greetings. Make great first impressions with personalized messages.
- Call recording. Keep records for training, compliance, and follow-up.
- Call summaries and transcripts. Review what was said and follow up on next steps.
- IVR. Improve call routing and reduce spam and robocalls.
Integration and workflow features:
- CRM connections. Sync call and message data with tools you already use so you don’t waste time keeping track of customer relationships. Quo natively integrates with CRMs like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Jobber, with more to come.
- Workflow automation. Connect with Zapier, Make, and other productivity tools to speed up repetitive tasks.
Reliable support when you need it:
- Responsive customer service. Get quick, helpful support from real people when you run into an issue or need help setting something up.
- Proven uptime. Count on consistent performance with reliable uptime and a public status page so you always know your system’s running smoothly.
- Number porting. Bring your existing business number if you switch providers. This feature became available after the FCC expanded Local Number Portability to VoIP.
- Security and privacy protections. Choose providers that have data privacy safeguards that keep your customer data secure. Here are a few privacy and security standards to look out for:
- General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR
- California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA
- SOC 2 Type II
- HIPAA compliance
Start using your second phone number with Quo
As a growing business owner, getting a second phone number is a simple way to keep your business communication organized. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools you can use to get a second number and call without a SIM card.
Quo is the best small business phone system and the easiest way to add a work number to your existing phone number on iOS, Android, or desktop. But it doesn’t end with an extra number. Quo also gives you advanced features to help you close more sales, support customers, and grow your business.
Ready to see how Quo can transform business communications? Get started today with our seven-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions about second phone numbers
Services like Google Voice offer virtual personal phone numbers for free. Here’s how you can get one:
1. Sign in: Go to voice.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Select numbers: Select available phone numbers by area code. Google also suggests a local phone number for you based on your location.
3. Verify existing number: You have to link an existing phone number to your Voice account for identity verification. Share your phone number, receive a verification code, and enter the code to continue.
4. Finish setup: Click Finish to start using your free Voice number.
Google Voice’s free version has several limitations to keep in mind. These include zero customer support, no toll-free numbers, not being available in Canada, and not being able to set business hours. Google Voice is meant more for personal use.
Fortunately, Google Voice alternatives offer the features your business needs.
You can use a virtual number app like Quo to have two numbers on one mobile phone. Your existing number will continue to work for personal calls. Your new number — dedicated to business — will function through the app.
Since calls and texts travel over your internet connection rather than a cellular network, you don’t need a SIM card to use second phone number apps like Quo. Instead, they use VoIP technology to route your calls and texts over WiFi. You choose a new number, then use it on your phone, computer, or tablet through the app or desktop version.
Simply open the app to make calls or send messages — just like you would with a regular phone number. VoIP services eliminate the need for an extra device, mobile data plan, or to change your number.
You can get a second phone number for free with apps like TextNow and 2ndLine. But these free apps lack business features like number sharing, which are crucial for growing businesses. They might also not offer the same level of security that business phone apps do.
Paid second number apps typically cost $10–$50 per month, depending on the provider. Quo offers one of the best values, starting at $15 per month. You get key business features like call recording, shared numbers, and auto-replies without extra fees.
If you’re comparing these two options for your business, second phone number apps are the better option. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Easier to set up and maintain. You can set up a second phone number app completely on your own. Simply download the app, create an account, and sign in. Dual SIMs require you to physically go to a carrier branch to get a new SIM card. Plus, if your second SIM stops working, you have to get it replaced. Second phone number apps are hosted by VoIP providers, which means no maintenance is required on your end.
2. More collaborative. Second phone number apps are more collaborative than dual SIM phones. For starters, you can share your number with your team. Split responsibility for incoming calls and texts, which reduces missed customer interactions. With dual SIM phones, you can’t share your number and instead have to physically pass your phone around with your team.
3. More affordable. Purchasing an additional physical SIM card is equivalent to paying another phone bill to your carrier. This can range between $50 and $100 per month. On the other hand, second phone number apps like Quo start at $15 per user per month.
4. More flexible and scalable: As your business expands, second phone number apps can grow with you. Add new users in different service areas and assign dedicated numbers to them in minutes. With dual SIMs, you’re forced to buy extra lines for each new team member. It also takes more time to get them on to a carrier team plan.
The best second phone number app for businesses can depend on your team’s use case. That said, for many growing businesses, the top solution is Quo. Over 90,000 professionals use our platform for its shared inboxes, automations, and easy-to-use interface.
For personal use, Burner and Hushed are great second phone number app options. They’re easy to use, affordable, and may have the features you need. For example, they offer call forwarding, SMS auto-replies, and custom voicemail greetings.
Yes, you can make international calls with many second phone number apps. Just know that international minutes aren’t always included in your phone plan. So make sure to check your provider’s rates.
How do I set up a second phone number on my iPhone?
It’s easy to set up a secondary number on your iPhone with Quo’s iOS mobile app:
1. Sign up for a Quo account using your email.
2. Choose your new phone number.
3. Complete the signup process, and your second number is ready to use.
After that, simply download the Quo app from the Apple App Store, and you’re ready to make calls, send texts, and manage both numbers from one device.
Setting up a second line on your Android smartphone is a simple process with Quo:
1. Create an account with Quo by using your email address or Google account.
2. Pick your preferred phone number.
3. Finish the sign-up process, and the number is yours.
Once you’re done, you’re all set to download the Quo Android app from the Google Play Store.
It’s easy to set up a secondary number on your iPhone with Quo:
1. Sign up for a Quo account using your email.
2. Choose your new phone number.
3. Complete the sign-up process, and your second number is ready to use.
After that, simply download the Quo app from the App Store, and you’re ready to make calls, send texts, and manage both numbers from one device.
Integrations depend on the second number app. For example, Quo integrates natively with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Jobber, and connects with Zapier and Make to automate workflows with thousands of other tools.
VoIP second phone number apps aren’t a great option for verification codes. Since they’re so easy to get, institutions like banks and apps like Uber rarely let you authenticate accounts using a virtual phone number.
There are a few regulations you’re required to follow to use a virtual second phone number. The FCC requires that businesses adhere to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA. TCPA compliance requires businesses to collect opt-in consent for any customer communications. You’re also required to honor opt-outs responsibly.
You must also comply with A2P 10DLC requirements. A2P 10DLC refers to Application-to-Person messaging; major telecom carriers pushed for these guidelines. It helps improve your text message deliverability rates.
A2P 10DLC compliance requires a multi-step application process that you can complete in your Quo dashboard. The average approval time is five to seven days, but some applications can take up to two weeks.
