Blog post

How to get an anonymous phone number

There are two primary methods to obtain an anonymous phone number for making calls. The first method is the traditional *67 technique, which blocks your caller ID, preventing your phone number from being displayed to the recipient. While this provides some anonymity, the true identity behind the number can be revealed.

The second and more preferred method is to use SLYNUMBER for your anonymous phone number needs.  

This blog post will detail the classic *67 method and explain how it works. We will also explore how certain apps can reveal private numbers that use this method, compromising effectiveness. Finally, we will discuss why SLYNUMBER is the best option for those seeking an anonymous phone number, highlighting its key benefits.

The classic *67 method for anonymous calls

The *67 feature was introduced in the 1980s to prevent personal information from being displayed when someone made a call. By typing in *67 before a phone number, the number you would call from would show up as "unknown, private, or restricted" instead of showing your personal phone number.

In practice, it would look like this. If you were looking to call 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567. This method is quick, free, and requires no special equipment or apps, which is why it became so popular.

In theory, this should keep your personal phone number anonymous and private, but that is only sometimes the case.

How does *67 fall short?

Using *67 only works for individual calls and must be dialed whenever you want to hide your number. This can lead to mistakes if you forget to do so. If you're making calls to multiple people, you must use *67 every time, adding extra effort.

Another way that *67 falls short in 2024 is that most telephone providers allow the recipient to dial *57 after they get an anonymous or private phone call to trace that number back. The steps are very straightforward: The recipient only has to dial *57 after receiving an anonymous phone call, and their phone company will review whether they can get that actual number for them.

So, while *67 can work for a one-off call to be anonymous, it can be exposed either by human mistake or by a telephone provider.

Are there apps that can unlock an anonymous phone number?

One thing to be aware of is that there are apps that can help reveal the private phone number if a user uses *67 to call them. Some of the more popular apps on the market include TrueCaller, CallApp, and TrapCall. These services help unmask hidden phone numbers and block them from contacting you again. Their Caller ID software helps identify incoming phone calls from unknown numbers.

SLYNUMBER: The anonymous phone number you need

Since *67 has limitations and can be exposed through several methods to identify who is calling you, the next best solution is to get a phone number from SLYNUMBER. You can use SLYNUMBER as a second phone number, a business phone number, or even a temporary one if you want to remain anonymous when you call others.

Benefits of SLYNUMBER for anonymous phone calls

1. Easy Setup: Download the app, choose your number and area code, and you're ready to go. The app works on Android and iOS devices

2. Maintain Privacy: A second phone number lets you keep your number private and separate from your business or social activities.

3. No Personalization Needed: You don't need to personalize your voicemail greeting, which helps keep your identity anonymous. The app handles all of this for you. If you want to stay anonymous with your phone calls, keep the default settings on using the app.

4. Text Messaging: Unlike the *67 method, SLYNUMBER allows you to send and receive text messages anonymously.

5. Convenience: Manage your calls and texts from a single device without a second phone.

6. Price: One of the main benefits of using SLYNUMBER is due to the affordable price of plans.

7. Real Number: Another benefit of using SLYNUMBER is that the number is real. That means you can use this anonymous phone number to set up dating profiles and keep your number hidden.

8. No SIM Card: There is no need for a new SIM card to get a SLYNUMBER phone number.

How does SLYNUMBER compare to others?

There are many similar second phone providers in the market, so we created a comprehensive breakdown of how we compare against the competition. Below are some of the comparisons.

One of the other benefits of using SLYNUMBER is that we offer porting phone number service. That means if you have a plan with another provider, we can, in most cases, carry that over into SLYNUMBER, which can help you save money and get more benefits for less!

Conclusion

While the *67 method is quick and easy to make anonymous calls, it does not provide comprehensive anonymity. For a more robust solution, downloading the SLYNUMBER app gives you the flexibility of a second phone number without compromising your privacy.

With SLYNUMBER, you can manage calls and texts seamlessly, all while keeping your personal information secure.

Related blogs

Online dating

What is a virtual phone number?

Read now
Business tips

What are the benefits of a business phone number?

Read now
Success story

A member's
experience

Read now