Burner phones sound like something straight out of a ’90s film, but they are also pretty useful in real life. These temporary prepaid mobile numbers have several advantages that you may not have considered, such as protecting your privacy, online safety, and business contacts. In 2025, with increasing concerns about data privacy and digital security, burner phones have become more relevant than ever before.
(Updated August 2025)
In the past, people used to buy a physical burner phone that they would use to gain access to an alternative mobile number. Thanks to the age of smartphones and apps, you can generate several different numbers on the same phone. According to recent privacy studies, over 73% of Americans are now concerned about their personal data being exposed online, making alternative phone numbers an increasingly popular privacy tool. Contrary to popular belief, these temporary phones and numbers aren’t limited for shady jobs and illegal practices, such as keeping your tracks clean as a criminal.
There are many honest and legitimate reasons to use a burner phone, some of which many people have not considered before. From protecting your identity on dating apps to managing multiple business ventures, the applications are surprisingly diverse. Here are several reasons why getting an alternative number would be advantageous in 2025.
Primary Benefits of Burner Phones
- It keeps your number safe and hidden from shady or persistent people
How many times have you experienced feeling harassed by salespeople contacting your personal number? Some ladies may have even experienced a persistent date who just won’t stop calling, even after the ship has sailed. In 2025, with the rise of online dating and e-commerce, this problem has only intensified.
Using a burner phone number in either of these cases will save you a lot of trouble and protect your contact details. Consider these specific scenarios where a burner number proves invaluable:
- Online marketplace transactions (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp)
- Dating app communications before meeting in person
- Signing up for free trials or promotional offers
- Temporary project collaborations or freelance work
If you wish to cut off any of these contacts, you can get rid of your burner phone and number quite quickly with no strings attached and without jeopardizing the rest of your contacts list. This instant control over your privacy is why many professionals now maintain multiple numbers for different aspects of their lives.
- It clears your main mobile number of spam
Your smartphone probably has a lot more spam texts than you’d like. In 2025, Americans receive an average of 12 spam texts per week, according to recent FCC data. Getting SMS notifications are annoying because there’s a greater chance that it’s from a persistent marketer rather than someone you actually know.
Phone burners provide an easy solution to this problem by redirecting these spam texts from your main number. Every time you give a number out for a brand, product, or service, you can use your alternative number instead. It can also provide you with a temporary phone number for one-time-PINs (OTP) for verification purposes, allowing you to safeguard your actual data from potential data thieves!
Pro Tip: Create a hierarchy of phone numbers – your main personal number for close friends and family, a semi-permanent burner for regular services and subscriptions, and temporary burners for one-off transactions. This strategy maximizes both convenience and security.
This way, you can keep your main phone clutter-free, which filters the spam SMS messages you receive on the daily. If your burner phone or number is clogging up with too many spam texts, it’s as easy as getting rid of the SIM card and switching numbers. For even more convenience, MobileSMS.io’s “All Services” 30-day rental plan gives you access to multiple verification services without the hassle of managing physical SIM cards.
- It’s a cheaper way to have a business number
While all businesses ought to have a dedicated phone number, not all business owners have a place where they can keep their landline. In 2025, with remote work becoming the standard rather than the exception, having a flexible business communication solution is essential. Instead of purchasing a separate landline or mobile phone, generating a burner number can save you tons while securing a professional number that helps separate business and personal.
Consider these business applications:
- Startups and Solo Entrepreneurs: Test business ideas without committing to expensive phone plans
- Real Estate Agents: Provide listing-specific numbers for better lead tracking
- Customer Service: Create department-specific numbers without additional hardware
- Marketing Campaigns: Track campaign effectiveness with unique numbers for each channel
- It helps avoid ridiculous roaming charges
Another instance where having a burner phone is ideal would be during trips abroad. Some SIM carriers charge high roaming rates for its subscribers who travel abroad, with costs sometimes exceeding $10 per megabyte in 2025. Getting a cheap burner phone with a SIM card compatible with the country you’re visiting is your best bet. It will allow you to make calls to transportation and business phone calls without racking up a huge bill for your roaming data.
Recent travelers have reported saving up to 95% on international communication costs by using local burner numbers instead of relying on their home carrier’s roaming plans. This is especially valuable for extended stays or frequent business travel.
Additional Benefits You Haven’t Considered
5. Enhanced Security for Two-Factor Authentication
In 2025, with cyber attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, using a burner number for 2FA on sensitive accounts adds an extra layer of security. If your main number gets compromised through a SIM swap attack, your most important accounts remain protected.
6. Testing and Development Purposes
Developers and QA testers frequently need multiple phone numbers to test SMS functionality, create test accounts, or verify app features. Burner numbers provide an affordable solution without cluttering personal devices.
7. Protecting Children and Teens
Parents in 2025 are increasingly using burner numbers as training wheels for their children’s first forays into digital communication. It allows kids to have a phone number for emergencies and approved contacts without exposing them to the full risks of having a permanent number.
Choosing the Right Burner Phone Solution
When selecting a burner phone service in 2025, consider these factors:
- Non-VoIP vs. VoIP Numbers: Services like MobileSMS.io offer real, non-VoIP numbers that work with all services, unlike some competitors whose numbers get rejected by certain platforms
- Geographic Flexibility: Look for services offering numbers from multiple countries and area codes
- Message History: Some services retain message history for a period, useful for important verifications
- Pricing Structure: Compare pay-per-use versus subscription models based on your needs
The Bottom Line on Burner Phones
Burner phones have many safer and more practical uses that still make them relevant today. Though it may seem like an outdated form of technology, the burner phone presents a simple solution to the most basic privacy issues in this information-saturated world. With phone numbers becoming vital data to be hidden and protected, the burner phone offers a unique solution with practicality and simplicity.
In 2025, as digital privacy becomes increasingly precious and data breaches make headlines weekly, having control over who has access to your real phone number is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you’re a business owner managing multiple ventures, a privacy-conscious individual, or someone who simply wants to reduce spam, burner phones provide a practical, affordable solution.
As phone verification becomes more common, personal mobile numbers become more exposed. Here at MobileSMS.io, we allow you to generate disposable numbers for SMS verification in minutes. We also offer services where you can purchase real SIM-card numbers in several countries, including the US, UK, Germany, Australia, India, China, and more. For those needing regular access to multiple services, our “All Services” 30-day rental plan provides unmatched flexibility and value. For more information, visit our website today!