Call From a Different Number: Methods and Best Apps

Your personal phone number doesn't have to be the one that shows up when you make a call. Whether you're protecting your privacy, keeping business separate from personal, or calling internationally without carrier fees, there are several ways to display a different number on the recipient's caller ID.

This guide covers the main methods for calling from a different number—from virtual phone apps to dual-SIM setups—plus the best apps to get started and what's actually legal.

What does calling from a different number mean?

Calling from a different number means your outgoing calls display a caller ID that isn't your personal phone number. You can do this through VoIP apps like CallTuv or Google Voice that give you a virtual number, through dual-SIM phones that hold two lines, or by dialing *67 before a number to hide your caller ID entirely. Each method serves a different purpose, from protecting your privacy to keeping business and personal calls separate.

The important distinction here is between using a real second number versus "spoofing." A virtual phone number is a legitimate number you own and control—people can call you back on it, and it's tied to your account. Spoofing, on the other hand, means falsifying caller ID to display someone else's number, which is illegal when done to deceive.

Ways to call from a different phone number

Use a virtual phone number app

Virtual phone number apps give you a real, working phone number that routes calls over the internet. This is called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and it's the most flexible option because you can make calls from any device with a browser or the app installed.

• How it works: You sign up, receive a new number, and place calls through the service—your virtual number shows up on the recipient's caller ID
• Best for: International calling, business use, privacy protection
• Key benefit: Works from any device with internet access, no extra SIM card or hardware required

Some services, such as CallTuv, run fully in your browser. No downloads are required. You just open Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, dial the number, and connect to landlines and mobiles in 200+ countries.

Use a second SIM card or eSIM

Dual-SIM phones hold two phone numbers on one device. You can assign one number for work and one for personal calls, then pick which line to use when dialing out.

Newer smartphones (iPhone XS and later, most recent Android phones) support eSIM, which adds a second line digitally without a physical card. The downside is that both numbers require separate carrier plans. If you're making international calls, those carrier rates add up fast.Source

Use caller ID blocking with *67

Dialing *67 before a phone number hides your caller ID. The recipient sees "Private," "Anonymous," or "Blocked" instead of your number.

This method is free and works on most US carriers, but it has limits. You're not calling from a different number—you're just hiding yours. Many people ignore blocked calls, and there's no way for someone to call you back. For a quick one-time situation it works fine, but for regular use, a virtual number makes more sense.

Use a cloud phone system

Cloud phone systems are internet-based calling platforms that businesses use to give employees professional phone numbers.

Teams that make outbound calls—sales, support, customer service—use cloud phone systems so everyone can call from a consistent business number. CallTuv offers this with shared team balances, contact management, and call logs all in one place.

Use a landline

If you have access to a work or home landline, calling from it displays that number instead of your mobile. Simple, but obviously limited to wherever that phone sits.

Best apps to call from a different number

The right app depends on what you're trying to do. Here's how the main options stack up:

CallTuv

CallTuv is built for international calling and works entirely in your browser. No app to download, no subscription to manage.

• No downloads required: Call directly from Chrome, Safari, or Firefox
• Pay only for what you use: Add credits starting at $5, and your balance never expires
• See costs upfront: The exact per-minute rate appears before you dial
• Reach any phone: Connect to landlines and mobiles in 200+ countries
• Team features: Shared balances, contact lists, and call history for groups

For anyone calling internationally—families with relatives abroad, travelers, remote teams, or businesses with global customers—pay-as-you-go rates from $0.03/min typically cost far less than traditional carriers.

Make your first call →

Google Voice

Google Voice provides a free US phone number for personal use. It integrates well with Google Calendar and Meet, and domestic calls to the US and Canada are free.

The limitations show up quickly, though. You can only get US numbers, international rates aren't competitive, and there are no automation features. For business use, you'll also need a Google Workspace subscription on top of the Voice plan.

Burner

Burner creates temporary phone numbers you can delete when you're done with them. It's designed for short-term privacy—selling items online, dating apps, or any situation where you want a number that doesn't stick around.

Numbers are subscription-based and can expire, so Burner isn't ideal for ongoing business use. International calling options are limited.

2ndLine

2ndLine gives you a second US or Canadian number with calling and texting. It works well for separating work and personal calls within North America.

Like Burner, it's subscription-based with limited international coverage. If your calls go beyond the US and Canada, you'll want something else.

Why people call from a different number?

Separate business and personal calls

Using one number for everything means work calls interrupt dinner and personal calls interrupt meetings. A second number creates a clear line between the two—you can see immediately whether an incoming call is business or personal.

Freelancers, remote workers, and small business owners benefit most from this separation. You get a professional presence without carrying two phones.

Protect privacy when selling or dating online

Giving your real number to strangers on marketplace apps or dating platforms carries risk. If something goes wrong, that person has your permanent contact information.

A virtual number lets you communicate freely. If the situation turns uncomfortable, you can simply stop using that number. Your personal number stays private.

Display a local or professional caller ID

People are more likely to answer calls from numbers that look familiar. If you're calling internationally, displaying a recognizable number—or at least one that doesn't look foreign—increases your chances of connecting.

Businesses use this to appear local to customers in different regions. With CallTuv, you can reach 200+ countries while keeping a professional caller ID.

Avoid unwanted callbacks and spam

Every time you enter your phone number on a form or give it to a business, you risk it ending up on call lists. Using a separate number for signups and one-time contacts keeps your primary number clean.

Is it legal to call from a different number?

Yes, calling from a different number is completely legal when you're using a legitimate second number you own. Privacy protection, business purposes, and keeping your personal number private are all valid reasons.

What's illegal is spoofing with intent to defraud. The FCC's Truth in Caller ID Act prohibits transmitting misleading caller ID information to deceive, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain something of value. Penalties can reach $10,000 per violation.Source

The line is clear: using a virtual number you've registered is fine. Pretending to call from someone else's number to scam people is not.

How to set up a virtual phone number

1. Choose a provider

Pick based on your main use case. For international calling, look for transparent per-minute rates and broad country coverage. For temporary privacy, a burner-style app works. For business teams, you'll want shared features and call tracking.

CallTuv covers international calling to 200+ countries with browser-based access—nothing to download.

2. Create your account

Most services let you sign up with email or Google in under a minute. CallTuv uses magic link authentication or Google sign-in, so there's no password to remember or reset.

3. Add credits or choose a plan

Pricing models vary. Subscription services charge monthly whether you call or not. Pay-as-you-go services like CallTuv let you add credits when you want—starting from $5—and your balance never expires.

4. Start calling from your new number

Once your account has credits, you can dial immediately. With browser-based services, there's nothing to install. Just enter the number and connect.

Start calling now →

How to call internationally from a different number

Traditional carriers charge $1-3 per minute for international calls, plus roaming fees if you're traveling. VoIP services route calls over the internet instead, which cuts costs dramatically.

• No SIM swapping: Call from any country using hotel WiFi, café internet, or mobile data
• Lower rates: Pay per minute (from $0.03/min) instead of carrier roaming fees
• Reach any phone: Connect to landlines and mobiles, not just other app users

For travelers, expats, and families with relatives abroad, this means staying connected without watching the clock. CallTuv shows you the exact rate before each call, so there are no surprises on your bill.

Start calling from a different number today

Getting a second number takes minutes. Pick a virtual number app based on what you're trying to accomplish, add credits or start a trial, and you're ready to dial.

For international calls specifically, pay-as-you-go VoIP delivers the best value. You avoid monthly fees, only pay for minutes you actually use, and get rates far below traditional carriers.

Why CallTuv works:

• No app download—call from your browser
• Pay only for minutes you use
• Credits never expire
• See the exact rate before every call
• HD audio quality, end-to-end encrypted

Make your first call →

FAQs about calling from a different number

Does *67 still work to hide your caller ID?

Yes, dialing *67 before a number still works on most US carriers. Your call displays as "Private," "Anonymous," or "Blocked" to the recipient.

Can you call from a different number without downloading an app?

Yes. Browser-based VoIP services like CallTuv let you make calls directly from Chrome, Safari, or Firefox with no app installation.

Can a virtual phone number be traced back to you?

Virtual numbers are tied to your account with the provider, so law enforcement can request records if needed. However, the people you call only see your virtual number—your personal number stays private.

What should you do if your phone number is being spoofed?

You can't stop someone from spoofing your number. Report it to your carrier and the FCC, and let contacts know to ignore suspicious calls that appear to come from you.

What is the difference between call masking and caller ID spoofing?

Call masking uses a legitimate second number you own and control. Spoofing falsifies caller ID to display someone else's number. Masking is always legal; spoofing to deceive is illegal under FCC rules.

Source