How to Get a Second Phone Number With an eSIM

Not every situation calls for your personal phone number. Whether you’re selling something online, signing up for a new service, or simply don’t want to share your personal number, a second phone number can help keep those conversations separate.

One way to add a second number is with an eSIM. eSIM technology lets compatible smartphones support multiple phone numbers without a second physical SIM card. Burner offers this option through Dual SIM on compatible iPhones, along with an app-based second number for people who prefer to manage calls and texts through the Burner app.

Here’s what you need to know about getting a second phone number with an eSIM, including how setup works and how it compares with an app-based second number.

What Is an eSIM?

An eSIM, short for embedded SIM, is a digital version of a traditional SIM card built into your phone. Instead of directly inserting a physical SIM card, you download a mobile plan directly to your device.

Once activated, an eSIM functions much like a physical SIM. It connects to a mobile network so you can make calls, send texts, and use cellular data, depending on your plan. The practical difference between an eSIM number and an app-based second number comes down to where and how you manage it:

• An eSIM Number behaves like a mobile line on your device. Calls and texts use the phone’s native calling and messaging apps.
• An app-based number is managed inside a separate app, which can offer more flexibility for creating, managing, or deleting numbers without changing your phone’s cellular setup.

Neither option is automatically better. The right choice depends on whether you prefer a native mobile experience or more flexible number management.

Why Get a Second Phone Number?

A second phone number gives you another number to share when you’d rather keep your personal number private. It can also help keep certain calls, texts, and contacts separate.

A second number can be useful for:

• Online Marketplaces. Use a second number when buying or selling online instead of sharing your personal number.
• Dating Apps. Get to know someone before deciding whether to share your personal number.
• Online Shopping. Use a second number for order updates, account verification, or marketing messages you’d rather keep separate from your personal number. It can also help you avoid sharing your number with sites and services that don’t necessarily need it.
• Travel. Depending on where you’re going, using a second number while traveling may be more convenient than changing your existing service.
• Everyday Organization. Keep different types of calls and texts separate without carrying another phone.

See more ways to use a second number with Burner.

Getting an eSIM: What You’ll Need

Before setting up a Burner Dual SIM, make sure you have:

• A compatible iPhone with an active primary service: Your device needs to support eSIM and Dual SIM. Burner Dual SIM is currently available on iOS.
• Your local address. Burner uses it to assign a local number, never to store or sell the address. (Learn more about how Burner protects your data.)
• A Burner plan that includes dual SIM. Check the current options in the Burner app before purchasing, since pricing and promotions can change.

Burner Dual SIM supports calls and texts, but it does not currently include a separate cellular data plan. Your existing data plan or Wi-Fi handles data usage.

How to Get a Second Number With Burner Dual SIM

With Burner Dual SIM, you can add a second number to a compatible iPhone and use it through the native Phone and Messages app.

Here’s how to set it up:

Step 1: Purchase a Burner Dual SIM Subscription

Open the Burner app and select Dual SIM. Review the available subscription options before completing your purchase. Plans and pricing change over time, so the app is always the best place to confirm current availability.

Step 2: Enter Your Address

Enter a valid local address so Burner can find a phone number in your area. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to continue.

Step 3: Activate Your New Number

Follow the in-app instructions to activate your Dual SIM number. When you’re redirected to your iPhone’s Cellular Settings, follow the prompts to activate the new line.

Step 4: Set Up Your New Line

Once your number is active, follow the iOS prompts to label your lines and choose how you want calls and texts handled. See how to set up your device and Dual SIM plan.

What Can You Do After Activation?

Once your Dual SIM number is active, it works essentially like any other mobile line on your iPhone. You can:

• Make and receive calls through the Phone app
• Send and receive texts in Messages
• Choose which number to use for calls and texts
• Assign different numbers to different contacts
• Use two numbers on one iPhone without carrying a second phone

Burner Dual SIM works through your iPhone’s native apps, while your personal and second numbers remain separate. Learn more about how Dual SIM phones work here.

eSIM vs. App-Based Second Number: What’s the Difference?

Both an eSIM and an app-based second number give you another number to use without sharing your personal number. The main difference is where and how that second number is managed.

Burner Dual SIM may make more sense if you want a second line that works through your iPhone’s native apps. An app-based Burner number may be a better fit if you use Android or want features such as custom voicemail, Do Not Disturb, auto-replies, spam filtering, or the ability to delete a second number when you’re done.

Does an eSIM Protect Your Primary Number?

When you use a second eSIM number for calls and texts, the person on the other end sees that number instead of your personal number. This lets you choose which number to share in different situations.

An eSIM doesn’t make you anonymous or untraceable. It simply keeps your personal number separate from the calls and texts you make with your second number.

A standard Burner number works a little differently, but your personal number still stays separate. Calls and texts are handled through your Burner number rather than sharing your personal number with the person you’re contacting.

Will an eSIM Work for Verification Codes?

Burner Dual SIM uses a mobile number delivered through eSIM, so it may work with services that don’t accept standard app-based VoIP numbers. However, no provider can guarantee verification-code compatibility because each website or app sets its own requirements.

Burner also offers Verified Numbers as a separate subscription for those situations where verification compatibility is a priority. Before choosing an option, check the requirements of the services you plan to use and review sites compatible with Burner Verified Numbers.

Burner Dual SIM FAQs

Can I use Burner Dual SIM on Android?

Burner Dual SIM is currently available on compatible iPhones only. Android users can still create a second number through the Burner app, with calls and texts managed through the app.

Is there a free trial?

New Burner accounts that subscribe through the mobile app may be eligible for a three-day free trial. Offers can change, so check the details shown during checkout for current availability.

Your Phone’s Other Number Starts with Burner

Burner gives you two ways to add a second number. Burner Dual SIM works through your iPhone’s native Phone and Messages app, while a standard Burner number is managed through the Burner app on iOS or Android.

Either way, you choose when to share your personal number and when to use your Burner number. Get Burner today.