A second phone number is an additional phone number that you can use on your existing device, separate from your primary number.
You use a second phone number to shield your personal phone number in situations where you don’t want to give out your private line.
Second phone numbers (or secondary phone numbers, as they’re sometimes called) can be either tied to a traditional SIM or operate on an internet connection (VoIP numbers). VoIP or “voice over IP” phone numbers are assigned to a user and not to a physical location. A VoIP second phone number is often called a virtual phone number.
Second phone numbers are usually kept permanently or long-term for things like separating work and personal life, signing up for services, travelling, shopping online, and interacting with people and organizations you don’t know or trust. They can help you organize your communications, manage and secure accounts and services, reduce the risk of scams to your private line, and protect against unwanted contact.
Considering a person’s personal phone number is the most valuable piece of data to advertisers, data brokers and criminals, shielding it with a second phone number is a smart privacy move. But what can be even smarter is protecting your personal phone number with a bunch of secondary phone numbers and using them for different purposes in your work and personal life.
MySudo offers 9 secondary phone numbers on one device
One of the most popular features of MySudo all-in-one privacy app is that you can quickly commission 9 secondary phone numbers on one device—and do it without giving away your personal information (except for UK numbers which require identity verification).
Second phone numbers on MySudo are VoIP numbers, so they’re private virtual phone numbers.
But where MySudo differs from other services is that each of the 9 phone numbers sits within its own digital identity or persona called a Sudo, so you’re effectively running 9 separate identities or personas for any purpose you choose.
Even better, each Sudo also has a dedicated secure email, optional virtual card, private browser, and a handle for free end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling without a phone number at all.
Sudos are useful for opening accounts, booking flights and hotel rooms, paying for food delivery and ride share, online dating, volunteering, and selling secondhand—any activity where you’re asked for your personal information but don’t want to give it away.
What are the benefits of MySudo phone numbers?
- MySudo numbers are real, unique, working phone numbers in area codes or geographies of your choice. Numbers are currently available in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Each phone number has customizable voicemail, ringtones, and contacts list.
- MySudo numbers are fully functional for messaging plus voice, video and group calling. Calls and messages with other MySudo users are end-to-end encrypted. Calls and messages out of network are standard.
- MySudo phone numbers don’t expire. Your phone numbers will auto-renew so long as you maintain your paid plan.
- You can use MySudo phone numbers for short-term or long-term activities. Follow the 4 steps to setting up MySudo to meet your real life privacy needs.
- You can mute the notifications of, or delete, a number you no longer want.*
- MySudo numbers are VoIP numbers, which means they work over the internet instead of traditional phone lines or cellular networks. VoIP numbers can’t become a unique identifier to all your other personal information like a personal cell number can and can’t be tracked like a cell number that’s connected to cell towers through its SIM card.
- MySudo numbers give you a second chance at digital privacy.
How much do MySudo phone numbers cost?
Phone numbers are available with a MySudo paid plan. The plans offer good value:
SudoGo – the budget plan with a phone number
- 1 phone number
- 3 Sudos
- 100 messages a month
- 30 mins talk time a month
- 3 GB space
SudoPro – the great value plan with more of everything
- 3 phone numbers
- 3 Sudos
- 300 messages a month
- 200 mins talk time a month
- 5 GB space
SudoMax – the most Sudos for the most options
- 9 phone numbers
- 9 Sudos
- Unlimited messages
- Unlimited calls
- 15 GB space
Getting set up with MySudo is easy:
- Download MySudo for iOS or Android.
- Choose your plan.
- Get MySudo Desktop and browser extension for extra convenience.
Watch this video from Naomi Brockwell on why you shouldn’t give out your personal phone number. From 5:20 in the video you’ll see Naomi explain privacy expert Michael Bazzell’s “clean-up strategy” in whichyoulock down your personal cell number and create multiple VoIP numbers to use instead of your private cell.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a second phone number and a temporary phone number?
A second phone number is an additional number you keep long-term or permanently for a particular purpose alongside your main phone number. You use it to shield your personal phone number for privacy and security reasons. A temporary phone number is similar but is typically created for short-term or one-off use and may expire automatically or be intentionally discarded after a single use or short time. Another name for temporary phone numbers is disposable phone numbers.
Are second phone numbers safe?
Second numbers are safe when you use a reputable service like MySudo.
What is MySudo?
MySudo is an all‑in‑one privacy app that offers up to 9 virtual phone numbers, secure messaging, dedicated secure email, virtual cards, and built-in private browsers to protect your personal information and digital identity.
What’s included in a Sudo?
Each Sudo digital identity or persona includes:
- 1 email address – for end-to-end encrypted emails between app users, and standard email with everyone else
- 1 handle – for end-to-end encrypted messages and video, voice and group calls between app users
- 1 private browser – for searching the internet without ads and tracking
- 1 phone number (optional)* – for end-to-end encrypted messaging and video, voice and group calls between app users, and standard connections with everyone else; customizable and mutable
- 1 virtual card (optional)* – for protecting your personal info and your money, like a proxy for your credit or debit card or bank account
*Phone numbers and virtual cards are only available on a paid plan. Phone numbers are available for US, CA and UK only. Virtual cards for US only.
Learn more:
- 4 Steps to Setting Up MySudo to Meet Your Real-Life Privacy Needs
- From Yelp to Lyft: 6 Ways to “Do Life” Without Using Your Personal Details
- 6 Ways to RECLAIM Your Personal Info from Companies that Sell it
* Deleting a phone number or its Sudo does not refund your entitlement for that phone number. For example, SudoMax plan provides nine phone numbers total lifetime in the account, as opposed to always allowing up to nine phone numbers concurrently. Once used, the only way to get another phone number is to purchase a line reset.
**Obtaining a UK phone number through MySudo requires identity verification.
