Mobile Phones > Android How to Get a Free Phone Number for Calling and Texting Google Voice is the place to start, but some apps offer this as well By Nadeem Unuth Nadeem Unuth Freelance Contributor University of Mauritius Nadeem Unuth is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who specializes in information and communication technology with a focus on VoIP. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 18, 2023 Reviewed by Christine Baker Reviewed by Christine Baker Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. lifewire's editorial guidelines In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Use Google Voice Apps Offering Free Numbers World-Wide Number Frequently Asked Questions Trending Videos Close this video player What to Know Google Voice offers free numbers, free domestic calls, and syncs across devices, so one number rings everywhere.Some apps have fees when offering additional services, so make sure the app meets your needs. Free phone numbers are available that don't come with a monthly bill. Usually, you're given a phone number only when you pay for a landline service, activate a cell phone or SIM card, or register for a VoIP service. This article explains how to get a free phone number and the available features. Get a Free Phone Number With Google Voice Google Voice gives you a free phone number through which incoming calls can ring multiple devices simultaneously. That means when people call your free number from Google, it can ring on your computer, phone, and tablet to ensure you won't miss the call. How to Use One Phone Number on Multiple Devices An added (and handy!) feature you get with Google Voice is transcribed calls. That means you can read your voicemail instead of listening to it. You can also forward your "real" phone number to the Google Voice service. Google Voice lets you make free local calls within the U.S. to any phone number, such as businesses, other cell phones, and home phones. International calling is available as well, but that's an additional charge. How Google Voice Works Apps That Give Out Free Phone Numbers There are lots of apps that you can use to make free internet phone calls. Google Voice is one example, but many others will give you an actual phone number to make and receive internet calls, such as FreedomPop, TextNow, and TextFree app. During setup, you're given an actual phone number that others can call and you can use to call others. All calls are managed through the apps so that you can keep your actual phone number. FreedomPop Freedom Pop offers cellphones and plans. FreedomPop for iOS TextNow You can optionally pay a monthly fee to remove ads in TextNow's texting app. TextNow for Windows TextNow for macOS TextNow for iOS TextNow for Android TextFree TextFree offers text messaging capabilities, voicemail options, and other phone-like features. TextFree for iOS TextFree for Android Try iNum for Location-Independent Numbers The iNum project is interesting because the company's aim is to provide one number that you can use all over the world. iNum provides users with phone numbers with the +883 global country code, a code that has been created by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union). You can use a +883 number as a virtual number without worrying about area codes and associated rates. Numbers from iNum are available through the service providers listed on the iNum website. Contact one of the service providers to obtain a free SIP account with free calling to all other iNum numbers. FAQ How do I look up phone numbers for free? You can use several sites on the internet to look up phone numbers. Most search engines, including Google, have a reverse search. Or sites such as ZabaSearch may provide the information you're seeking. How can I call phone numbers on Skype for free? Calling mobile or landlines isn't free as it requires either Skype credit or a subscription (call plan). You can make video or voice calls between two Skype accounts on any platform for free. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit