The traditional way to get a phone number involves walking into a store, buying a SIM card, and waiting for activation. But that's not the only way anymore. Here's everything you need to know about getting a working phone number without touching a SIM card.
There are five legitimate ways to get a phone number that doesn't require a physical SIM card. Each has different trade-offs in terms of cost, features, and reliability. I'll walk through all of them so you can pick the one that makes sense for your situation.
Method 1: Virtual Phone Numbers (The Professional Option)
What it is
A virtual phone number is a real telephone number that lives in an app instead of a SIM card. You get a legitimate phone number from your chosen country, but it works entirely over the internet.
How it works
Sign up with a provider, choose your country and number, download their app, and start making calls and sending texts. The number appears normal to everyone who contacts you - they can't tell it's not tied to a SIM card.
Best for
Business use, international numbers, long-term second numbers, privacy protection, avoiding roaming charges.
Limitations
Requires internet connection to work. Some services won't accept virtual numbers for verification (though most do). Monthly cost instead of one-time purchase.
Virtual numbers are what I recommend for most people because they're the closest thing to having an actual phone number. You can receive calls and texts, make outbound calls, use it for verification codes, and keep the same number indefinitely.
The market has matured enough that pricing is reasonable now. Services like MoreMins offer UK and US numbers starting at $0.99 per month with free incoming calls and SMS. That's cheaper than most traditional phone plans, and you can have numbers from multiple countries on the same device.
Method 2: Google Voice (US Only, But Free)
What it is
Google's free phone number service that works through their app or website. Only available in the United States.
How it works
Sign up with a Google account, choose from available US numbers, verify with an existing phone number. Calls and texts go through the Google Voice app.
Best for
US residents wanting a free second number, temporary projects, separating work and personal calls.
Limitations
US only. Requires a real phone number to set up. Google can reclaim inactive numbers. Some verification services block Google Voice numbers. The app can be glitchy.
Google Voice is hard to beat if you qualify for it. The price is right (free), and it's backed by Google's infrastructure so reliability is decent. The catch is you need to already have a US phone number to set it up, which defeats the purpose if you're trying to get your first number.
I've used Google Voice as a burner number for online classifieds. It works fine for that. Where it falls short is professional use - the app feels dated and occasionally messages get delayed.
Method 3: VoIP Apps (Skype, WhatsApp, etc.)
What it is
Internet calling apps that may or may not give you an actual phone number. Varies by service.
How it works
Download the app, create an account. Some (like Skype) let you purchase a phone number. Others (like WhatsApp) require you to verify with an existing number but then give you calling capabilities.
Best for
Calling other people who use the same app, international calls at low rates, casual communication.
Limitations
Not all VoIP apps give you a callable phone number. Those that do often charge monthly fees similar to virtual number services. Call quality depends heavily on internet connection.
This category is messy because every app works differently. Skype will sell you a number, but it's not particularly cheap and the app hasn't aged well. WhatsApp is free but requires an existing number to set up and doesn't give you a separate callable number.
The main advantage of VoIP apps is that if both people have the same app, calls are free over WiFi. The disadvantage is that you can't give someone a number they can call from their regular phone unless you pay for that feature.
Method 4: Temporary Number Services
What it is
Online services that provide disposable phone numbers for receiving SMS verification codes. Numbers typically expire after minutes or hours.
How it works
Visit a website, pick a number from their list, use it to receive a verification code, then it disappears. Some charge per use, others are "free" but your SMS is publicly visible.
Best for
One-time verifications for services you don't care about. Testing. Very temporary needs.
Limitations
Numbers are shared - other people can see your messages. Can't make calls. Don't work with many major services. Disappear quickly. Often blocked by verification systems.
These services occupy a sketchy corner of the internet. They're useful if you need to verify a random account once and genuinely don't care about security. But using them for anything important is asking for trouble.
The free ones are particularly bad because your verification codes are visible to everyone using the service. Anyone can see the code sent to that number. The paid ones offer more privacy but still aren't suitable for anything you plan to keep.
Method 5: WiFi Calling on Your Existing Number
What it is
Using your existing SIM-based phone number over WiFi instead of cellular networks. Not technically a new number, but gets you the benefits of SIM-free calling.
How it works
Enable WiFi calling in your phone settings (if your carrier supports it). Your phone uses internet instead of cellular signal, but keeps your regular number.
Best for
Avoiding poor cellular coverage, international travel with your existing number, saving battery.
Limitations
Still requires an active phone plan and SIM card initially. Doesn't give you a second number. May not work in all countries depending on carrier restrictions.
This isn't really getting a number without a SIM card - you still need the SIM, you're just not using it for the actual call transmission. But it's worth mentioning because it solves some of the same problems people are trying to address.
If your main concern is avoiding international roaming charges while keeping your regular number, WiFi calling might be all you need. Just turn it on before you travel and your phone works over hotel WiFi instead of expensive foreign networks.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Method | Cost | Best Use | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Numbers | $1-10/mo | Professional use, international numbers | Monthly cost |
| Google Voice | Free | US second number | US only, needs real number to setup |
| VoIP Apps | Free-$10/mo | App-to-app calling | Both parties need same app |
| Temporary Services | Free-$5 | One-time verifications | Not private, not permanent |
| WiFi Calling | Included | Using existing number abroad | Still needs SIM initially |
What I Actually Recommend
For most people reading this, a virtual phone number is the right answer. It's the only option that gives you a permanent, functional phone number that works for both incoming and outgoing calls and texts without requiring a physical SIM card.
The cost is minimal - we're talking the price of one coffee per month. And unlike the free options, you get actual support when something breaks, reasonable call quality, and the ability to use it professionally without embarrassment.
Worth checking out: MoreMins virtual phone numbers start at $0.99/month for UK or US numbers. Free incoming calls and SMS globally, no contracts, instant activation. Probably the cheapest legitimate option available right now.
Google Voice is fine if you're in the US and just want a free throwaway number for Craigslist or online dating. It's not professional enough for business use and the app experience is mediocre, but the price is right.
Skip the temporary number services unless you literally need to verify one account one time and never care about it again. They're too unreliable and too sketchy for regular use.
VoIP apps have their place, but if you want an actual phone number that normal people can call, you're better off with a proper virtual number service.
Common Questions People Ask
Can I use a SIM-free number for WhatsApp?
Yes, with most virtual number services. WhatsApp will send a verification code to your virtual number via SMS, you enter it, and you're set. Temporary number services are hit-or-miss - WhatsApp actively blocks many of them.
Will people know it's not a regular number?
No. A properly configured virtual number looks identical to a SIM-based number. The person calling you sees a normal phone number on their screen and can't tell the difference.
What about emergency calls?
This is important - many virtual numbers and VoIP services don't support emergency calling (911/999/112). Always keep a way to make emergency calls. Don't rely on a virtual number as your only phone access.
Can I port my existing number to a virtual service?
Some providers allow this, others don't. The process typically takes a few days and may involve fees. Check with the specific provider about their porting policies.
How is call quality compared to regular phones?
Depends entirely on your internet connection. On good WiFi or 4G/5G data, quality is usually identical to regular calls. On poor connections, you'll get choppy audio or dropped calls. It's the main trade-off of internet-based calling.
Can my employer tell I'm using a virtual number?
Not unless they specifically check carrier databases. For all normal purposes, it appears as a regular phone number. Many people use virtual numbers for work without anyone knowing.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Virtual numbers can enhance privacy - you can give out a number that isn't tied to your real identity or location, and you can dispose of it if it starts getting spam. But there are some things to keep in mind.
Banks and government services sometimes reject virtual numbers for verification because they're concerned about fraud. You may need a SIM-based number for these specific services even if you use a virtual number for everything else.
Choose reputable providers. Your calls and messages pass through their servers, so you're trusting them with potentially sensitive information. Stick with established companies that have clear privacy policies.
Two-factor authentication works fine with virtual numbers for most services. The SMS codes arrive just like they would to a regular number. But a few high-security services specifically block known virtual number ranges.
Bottom Line
Getting a phone number without a SIM card is completely viable in 2025. Virtual phone number services have matured to the point where they're reliable, affordable, and functional for almost any use case.
Start with a single virtual number to test the concept. Services like MoreMins let you try it risk-free with no long-term contracts. If it works for your needs, you can expand from there. If not, you've only spent a few dollars finding out.
The era of being locked into a single number tied to a plastic SIM card is over. Take advantage of it.
This article reflects pricing and features as of October 2025. Service offerings may change over time.