Connecting with matches on dating apps has become totally commonplace these days. But handing over your main phone number to someone you’ve just met online? That still comes with real risks.
Even if a new match seems genuine at first, your personal line can open the door to unwanted calls, endless spam texts, or people tracking you down across social media. And what happens if the date fizzles out? Some people won’t stop reaching out, no matter how clear you are. It’s why so many seasoned daters now rely on secondary or temporary numbers. They take time to build trust first, and only share their real contact details once they feel comfortable.
You don’t need to buy a separate phone to pull this off. Plenty of trusted apps let you create a second line for calls and texts, all right on your existing smartphone.
We tested apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, focusing on tools built to boost privacy for online dating. We judged each one on how well it shields personal data, how quick it is to set up a new number, call and text performance, clear pricing, overall reliability, and how well it works for short-term use.
These are the top choices to keep your personal information safe.
Pricing: Subscription plans start at roughly $7.99 per month for one number; annual plans come with discounts. Premium tiers are also available.
Burner practically pioneered the disposable phone number category, and it still leads the pack for temporary lines.
You can generate a secondary number to make calls, send regular texts and picture messages, and set up custom voicemail. Every part of this app is designed with privacy and short-term use front and center.
Flexibility is where it truly shines. Swap out numbers, delete old lines, or juggle multiple active numbers based on your subscription plan. It also includes built-in spam blocking and automated reply tools to cut down on unwanted messages.
For anyone navigating dating, being able to retire a number after a bad interaction or awkward match is an absolute game-changer.
Made specifically for temporary, disposable phone lines
Simple to switch or delete numbers anytime
Unlimited calls and texts on active subscriptions
Strong built-in privacy tools
Works across iOS and Android devices
No permanent free version
Monthly fees add up over time with long-term use
Advanced privacy features sit behind premium plans
Anyone who regularly meets new people through dating apps and wants a fully flexible, privacy-focused solution.
Pricing: Free for personal use within the United States
If you want a reliable second number without paying a monthly fee, Google Voice is hard to beat.
It assigns you a unique line that handles calls, texts, and voicemail, and routes all communications straight to your main phone. Since it runs on Google’s network, the service stays stable and easy to manage day in and day out.
That said, it was never built to act as a true disposable burner line. You can change your number if needed, but the process is clunky. It lacks the quick, on-demand swapping that dedicated burner apps offer.
Completely free for personal use
Backed by Google’s robust network
Clear, consistent call quality
Syncs smoothly across all your devices
No mandatory recurring payments for core features
Offers less anonymity than apps built for temporary numbers
Not built for frequent number changes
Requires an existing U.S. phone number to set up
Daters who want a free secondary line and don’t plan to switch numbers often.
Pricing: Free base plan; extra features and ad removal available via in-app purchases and premium upgrades.
TextNow ranks among the most widely used free secondary number services across North America.
The app gives you a standalone phone number for calls and texts over Wi-Fi or cellular data. For casual daters, the main draw is obvious: you get a separate line without committing to a paid subscription right away.
With more than 100 million users, it’s a well-established option, and its core communication tools work solidly for short-term chats.
The free tier does come with tradeoffs. You’ll see frequent ads, free numbers aren’t always permanent, and some verification services won’t recognize the line. These small annoyances pop up often enough to frustrate regular users.
Free permanent access to a basic phone number
Compatible with both major mobile operating systems
Large, established user base
Great for short-term conversations
Quick and easy to start using
Free version runs on ads
Free numbers can be reclaimed over time
Fails verification checks with some services
Fewer privacy controls than dedicated burner apps
People testing out secondary numbers who prefer a free option before paying for a premium privacy service.
Pricing: Subscription-only; monthly plans start at around $14.49.
Sideline first launched to help professionals separate work and personal lines, but it works incredibly well for privacy-focused daters too.
Unlike some internet-based calling tools, it prioritizes steady call and text performance while keeping your two lines fully separate. You get unlimited texting, a distinct caller ID, dedicated voicemail, and a reliable long-term number. The platform openly emphasizes protecting your privacy, so you can chat with new matches without ever sharing your main contact details.
Clean, dedicated second-line experience
Excellent call quality
Unlimited text messaging
Numbers stay yours long-term
Solid privacy settings
Pricier than most competing services
Not designed for frequent number disposal or swapping
Requires a paid subscription from the start
Daters who want a stable secondary number to keep for months or even years.
Pricing: Subscription-based; it also offers prepaid plans and short-term number rentals for flexible use.
Hushed lands right in the middle of the pack, blending the disposable features of Burner with the long-term stability of Sideline.
It offers temporary lines, international number choices, plus standard calling, texting and voicemail tools. Its biggest strength is adaptability. You can rent a number for a set window of time and delete it once you no longer need it.
This setup fits dating perfectly. Keep a dedicated line for meeting new matches over several months, then retire it entirely whenever you want — all without touching your primary phone number.
Strong focus on user privacy
Wide range of temporary number options
Supports international phone lines
Highly flexible plan choices
Simple tools to manage multiple numbers
Most useful features sit behind paid plans
App design feels less polished than top competitors
Costs vary based on number type and region
Users who want more flexibility for temporary lines than Google Voice offers, but don’t need every advanced feature found in Burner.
When it comes to online dating specifically, Burner stands out as the best all-around choice in 2026.
Every part of the app is built around one simple truth: not every online connection lasts. You might need to swap, remove or replace your number at a moment’s notice, and Burner makes that effortless. It aligns perfectly with how people actually date and interact online today.
Best Overall for Online Dating: Burner
Best Free Option: Google Voice
Best Free Temporary Number App: TextNow
Best Long-Term Second Number: Sideline
Best Flexible All-Rounder: Hushed
Staying safe while dating online follows a simple rule: keep conversations within the dating app until you build real trust. When you’re ready to move to texting or calls, use a secondary line instead of your main number. A temporary phone app won’t eliminate every possible risk, but it adds a critical layer of privacy most people wish they’d used sooner.