4 Ways to Text From a Different Number: Step-by-Step Guide

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How to hide your number while sending a text message
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Are you looking for an easy way to send an anonymous text message? If you want to send private SMS messages without showing your phone number, you have many options, including several free Android and iPhone apps! This wikiHow will teach you easy ways to block your phone number while sending a text message through email, with free apps, and an anonymous texting website.

Ways to Hide Your Number While Sending a Text

  • Use an anonymous email account to send a text to a mobile number.
  • Try TextNow , an app that gives you a free number to text from.
  • Get a second SIM and buy another cell phone line so you can text while hiding your original number.
  • Use a website like TextSendr to send a free anonymous text through the internet.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

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  1. In order to send a text message to a phone via an email address , you'll need to know which carrier—e.g., Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T—the phone uses.
    • You can sometimes type the phone number into a computational search engine (e.g., WolframAlpha) to bring up information about the carrier.
    • If you don't know which of these five carriers the phone uses, you'll need to send a message to all five of them.
  2. Open an ambiguous email inbox. If you have an email address that doesn't use your real name (or anything close to it), isn't in any of your friends' contact lists, and isn't linked to any social media accounts (e.g., Facebook), you can send an anonymous text from it.
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  3. You'll usually find it either on the side of the page or at the top of the page.
  4. This is where you'll enter the phone number.
  5. Enter the phone number of the person to whom you want to send an anonymous text. Make sure that you enter numbers only (no parentheses or dashes).
  6. This will vary depending on your selected carrier. It can also vary depending on if you are sending images or other attachments. If you are sending text only, you can send it to the SMS handle. If your message includes image, audio, or video attachments, you'll need to send it to the MMS handle. Add one of the following handles to the end of the 10-digit number in the email recipient field: [1]
    • T-Mobile (SMS & MMS): @tmomail.net
    • Verizon (SMS): @vtext.com
    • Verizon (MMS): @vzwpix.com
    • Metro PCS (SMS & MMS): @mymetropcs.com
      • AT&T discontinued their email-to-text services in 2025. [2]
      • Mint Mobile numbers could be previously emailed using a "tmomail.net" address, but this may or may not work currently.
      • Consumer Cellular numbers can be emailed with a "tmomail.net" address. [3] You may also be able to email a Consumer Cellular number with a "txt.att.net" or "mms.att.net" address, but these addresses may not work with the discontinuing of AT&T's email-to-text service.
  7. Type the text message's text into the body section of the new email form. You can leave the "Subject" text field blank.
  8. This will send your email's body text as a text message. When your recipient receives the message, they will see the email address.
    • Some phones will automatically block any text received from an email address.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using the TextNow App

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  1. 1
    Download and open the TextNow app. TextNow is an app that lets you send text messages through the app, instead of using your phone number. You can use TextNow to hide your phone number when sending a text.
  2. 2
    Tap Sign Up . It's the purple button at the bottom of the screen.
    • If you already have an account, you can log in instead.
  3. 3
    Select a sign-up method. You can create an account with your Apple account, Google account, Facebook account, or email account. If you choose any option besides the email option, you'll be prompted to confirm that you want to use that app to sign in.
  4. 4
    Enter your account details. If you are signing up using your Google or Facebook account, you may need to enter the username and password associated with your Facebook or Google account. If you are signing up with your email address, enter a valid email address and a password of your choice and tap Sign Up .
    • You'll also need to agree to the Terms of Use, 911 Disclosure, and Privacy Policy.
    • If you don't want to get emails from TextNow, tap the first toggle to turn off promotional messaging.
  5. 5
    Press and hold the button to confirm you're not a bot. Place your finger on the Press & Hold button until the app confirms that you're human.
  6. 6
    Choose a plan. You can use TextNow for free, but you can choose between a line that accesses TextNow's network, or a line that accesses your own network or WiFi connection. For most people, you'll want to choose Add a line to your phone .
    • Tap Continue to move to the next step.
  7. 7
    Tap Select Phone Number > Get My Free Number . You will then be prompted to give TextNow permission to use your location data. This is so TextNow can find you a local number to use, as well as connect you to the correct 911 department if you need to call.
    • If you choose not to give your location, you can choose your own phone number.
  8. 8
    Enter your preferred area code and tap Continue . Type an area code that's different from the one that you use if you really want to hide your identity.
  9. 9
    Select a phone number and tap Continue . The first number in the list costs money to use. If you want to use a free number, select one of the numbers that says "Free" to the right and click Continue .
  10. 10
    Choose how you'll be using your TextNow number. You can choose between Personal and Professional .
  11. 11
    Tap Turn On Notifications . You can then choose to either allow notifications or not by tapping on the appropriate option on your screen.
  12. 12
    Tap Continue to give TextNow microphone access. If you aren't going to use TextNow to make any phone calls, you can choose not to give microphone access to TextNow.
  13. 13
    Tap Continue if prompted to enable ads. You can choose to enable ad tracking or not.
  14. 14
    Tap the pencil and paper icon. You'll find this option in the top-right corner of the screen.
    • On Android, you'll instead tap the pencil-shaped icon in the lower-right side of the screen.
    • You may be asked if TextNow can access your contacts. You can choose to give TextNow this permission or not.
  15. 15
    Enter a phone number. In the text box at the top of the screen, type in the phone number to which you want to send an anonymous text.
  16. 16
    Enter a message. Tap the text box near the bottom of the screen, then type in the text message that you want to send.
  17. 17
    Tap the paper airplane icon. It's to the right of the text box. Your text will be sent; when your recipient receives the text, it will be from a different number than your actual phone number.
    • After sending the text, you may be prompted to add contacts or enable notifications if you haven't already done so.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using a Second SIM Card

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  1. 1
    Ensure your phone supports dual SIM. Many modern phones support dual SIM, but it's best to make sure that your device does before you go through the trouble of getting a second SIM card. To do this, simply use a search engine to search for your phone model plus the phrase "dual SIM."
    • While this won't obscure the phone number entirely, it won't be your original phone number.
  2. 2
    Get a second SIM card. The best way to do this is through your carrier. If you want your second number to be through a different carrier, your phone must be unlocked (which means it's not strictly available to be used with one carrier only).
    • Some phones allow you to insert two physical SIM cards, but most phones will allow you to have either one physical SIM and one eSIM, or two eSIMs.
    • If you're getting a physical SIM card, you can buy it through your carrier.
    • If you're getting an eSIM, you can usually get it on your phone, but you'll need to work with your carrier to set up a second line.
  3. 3
    Set up the second line. To do this, you must contact your carrier. Additional fees will likely apply to add a second line to your device.
    • After setting up the second line, you'll need to go to your cellular settings in your phone's Settings app to enable the line.
  4. 4
    Switch to the second line when sending a text message. You change what number you're texting with before you send the message. Simply tap the new number when sending a text message to hide your old personal number. [4]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using TextSendr

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  1. Go to www.textsendr.com in a web browser. Textsendr is a website that allows you to send text messages for free using your internet browser. All you need to know is the recipient's phone number and mobile carrier.
  2. Use the first field at the top of the form on the right side to enter your recipient's 10-digit phone number.
  3. Use the second field to enter your email address. While this is optional, it allows the recipient to respond to your text messages. In some cases, your message may not be delivered if you don't provide an email address.
    • If you don't want to use your own email address, you can use an anonymous email service, or you can create a new Gmail account for free.
  4. Use the drop-down menu below the field where you enter your email address to select the recipient's mobile carrier. You need to know this in order to send them a text message.
  5. Use the fourth field in the form to enter the message you want to send.
  6. The fifth field in the form asks you to solve a simple addition equation. This is an anti-spam measure to make sure you are an actual person. Add the numbers together and enter the answer in the field below the equation.
  7. It's the red button at the bottom of the screen. This sends your text message.
    • The text message will contain your IP address. If you are concerned about your privacy, you may want to use a VPN .
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    If I text someone, can that person text back without seeing my phone number?
    Community Answer
    No, they can still see your number. You need a special app to block your number when texting to prevent the number from being shown to others.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 69
  • Question
    Can I send a text message if I only have a person's email address?
    Community Answer
    You can if the address is a Gmail account.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 53
  • Question
    How do I prevent my number from showing when I text?
    Community Answer
    If you have an iPhone you should be able to go into the settings and turn off caller ID so when you call or text there should not be anything there.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Consider using anonymous texting apps when you are required to send text messages to individuals for whom you want to keep your phone number private. For example, if you are a school teacher who needs to update students on an assignment, use an anonymous texting app to keep your personal phone number private from your students.
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      Warnings

      • Do not send text messages from your personal email account if you want your identity kept private. The recipient will have access to your full name and identity when you send texts from your personal email account.
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      • Do not use texting, in any form, to stalk, threaten, or harass someone, send scams or viruses, or perform other illegal activities. Even if your number is not visible to the recipient, you can still be tracked down if necessary.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.rd.com/article/how-to-send-an-anonymous-text/
      2. ↑ https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1061254/
      3. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/consumercellular/comments/1in9gxe/what_email_address_is_best_to_send_to_cc_number/
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-euro/109317

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Install TextNow from the App Store or Play Store .
      2. Create an account.
      3. Allow requested permissions.
      4. Select a new area code and tap Next .
      5. Tap the Compose icon.
      6. Enter the recipient’s phone number.
      7. Type a message.
      8. Tap Send .

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