如果您目前在阳光下使用您的主要电话号码，您可能已经注意到那些烦人的电话营销电话已经开始出现在您的(phone number)手机(cell phone)上。如果你有一部家用电话(home phone)，无论如何你都会受到营销电话的轰炸，但直到最近，手机(cell phone)基本上都不受这个问题的影响。
不幸的是，如果您在注册 Craigslist 或 Airbnb 或申请信用卡时使用您的主要电话号码(Craigslist or Airbnb)，该(credit card)号码(phone number)最终可能会被这些电话营销公司找到。幸运的是，您可以在当前手机中添加第二个电话号码(phone number)，您可以在不想共享主号码的任何时候使用该号码。
在本文中，我将讨论几个基本上为您的手机添加第二条线路的应用程序。价格从免费到接近每月 10 美元不等。您愿意花的钱越多，获得的功能就越多。付费选项主要适用于自由职业者或在家经营小企业的人。
二号应用
对于应用程序，我基本上只有五个建议：Google Hangouts、Sideline、Burner、Skype 和 Line(Skype and Line) 2。在费用方面，Google Hangouts是免费的，Sideline每月 3 美元，Burner每月 5 美元，Line 2每月 10 美元月和 Skype 因(month and Skype varies)数量而异。
在我看来，您应该先从免费开始，然后再从那里开始，直到找到最适合您的应用程序。如果您不经营任何类型的企业，那么环聊(Hangouts)可能对大多数人来说已经足够了。
谷歌语音/环聊
需要明确的是，您实际上创建了一个Google 语音号码(Google Voice number)，然后使用环聊(Hangouts)拨打电话和发送短信(SMS)。首先要做的是转到Google Voice并将其连接到您的主号码。完成后，单击右侧的齿轮图标并选择Settings。
您应该会看到语音信箱的访问号码(access number)，在该号码旁边，您会看到获取 Google 语音号码(Get a Google Voice number)链接。
当您单击该链接时，您必须选择是要一个新号码还是要使用您的手机号码。显然，如果您想要第二个号码，请选择I want a new number。
在下一个屏幕上，您可以按地区、邮政编码或城市(zip code or city)获取数字，如果您需要特定的内容，可以输入单词、短语或数字。(word or phrase)继续前进，直到您设置好新号码(number setup)。
当有人拨打您的Google Voice 号码(Google Voice number)时，默认情况下它会在Google Hangouts中响铃。但是，您可以进入Google Voice的设置页面，如果您愿意，可以将呼叫转接到您的主号码。这样电话就会像普通电话一样响铃。
此外，您可以录制自己的语音信箱问候语(voicemail greeting)和您的姓名。您也可以将短信和语音邮件转发到您的电子邮件。在“呼叫”(Calls)选项卡上，您可以设置呼叫筛选，以便未知呼叫者在连接到您之前必须说出他们的名字。Google Voice还可以让您记录通话、在通话之间切换和进行电话会议。
Hangouts的优点在于它可以在多个平台上运行，包括 iOS、Android和Chrome。如果您访问 https://hangouts.google.com/，您可以通过网络发送短信以及进行音频和视频通话(audio and video calls)。
谷歌语音(Google Voice)的另一个好处是，即使没有安装环聊(Hangouts)，您仍然可以在手机上接听电话。
到目前为止，我遇到的唯一缺点是有时某些网站不接受该号码，特别是用于两因素身份验证(factor authentication)。大多数情况下它都有效，但有时您会收到一条消息，说明您无法使用(t use)该号码，在这种情况下您必须使用您的真实号码。但是，此问题不仅限于环聊(Hangouts)，而是所有第二号应用程序(number apps)都会发生。
与除Sideline之外的所有其他应用程序一样，Hangouts是一个VOIP 应用程序(VOIP app)，这意味着它使用数据来工作。如果您没有大数据计划(data plan)并且您没有连接到WiFi，这可能会给某些用户带来问题。Sideline是唯一使用您的运营商网络(carrier network)拨打和接听电话的应用程序，从而减少了数据使用量。但是，它会使用您的蜂窝电话分钟数，就像您从运营商号码拨打电话时一样。
副业
每月 3 美元，Sideline为您提供第二个本地号码，其功能比Google Hangouts少。您可以创建自定义语音邮件问候语(custom voicemail greeting)，仅此而已。默认情况下，该应用程序有广告，这很烦人。为了删除广告、永久保留号码并启用WiFi通话，您必须每月花费 3 美元。
但即使有了这些功能，它仍然无法提供任何与(t offer anything)Google Hangouts相提并论的功能。例如，当接到您新的第二个号码的电话时，它会显示加利福尼亚州桑尼维尔(Sunnyvale)的某个通用号码，而不是实际呼叫人的号码。您必须打开Sideline 应用程序(Sideline app)才能查看来电者的实际号码。
发短信是免费的，似乎没有任何限制。如果您的手机计划(cell phone plan)允许您随时呼叫任何人，那么您可以类似地使用您的Sideline 号码。(Sideline number)您还可以通过每月 3 美元的计划(month plan)最终将您的号码转出。
副业 – iTunes App Store(Sideline – iTunes App Store)
副业 – Google Play 商店(Sideline – Google Play Store)
刻录机
Burner 应用程序(Burner app)的用途与此处提到的所有其他应用程序略有不同。一方面，这些数字应该在一段时间后“燃烧”掉(set amount)。你可以得到一个高级线路，也就是我上面提到的每月 5 美元的费用，无限的文本、图片和分钟。
否则，您可以从多种刻录器中进行选择，例如Mini Burner，它将为您提供 60 条文本、无图片、20 分钟通话和 14 天自动刻录。您可以在这里查看所有不同类型的燃烧器(types of burners here)。
为了购买燃烧器，您必须使用积分。您可以在应用程序内购买积分。3 个积分分别为 2 美元、5 美元 8 个、8 美元 15 个和 11 美元 25 个。如果您经常需要新号码，这是一个很棒的应用程序。如果您只想要一个号码很长一段时间，请以每月 5 美元的价格购买高级线。(Premium line)
Burner的一项有趣功能是与其他应用程序的集成或连接。例如，您可以连接到Evernote并创建短信自动回复(SMS auto-reply)机器人。没有意义吗？看看视频(video)。它实际上很酷，对某些人可能非常有用。此外，您可以将短信记录到Google 表格(Google Sheets)或将语音邮件保存到Dropbox。
该应用程序没有(app doesn)很多功能，但运行良好。您还可以为您创建的每个刻录机号码设置自己的(burner number)语音邮件问候语(voicemail greeting)。
刻录机 – iTunes 应用商店(Burner – iTunes App Store)
刻录机 – Google Play 商店(Burner – Google Play Store)
2号线
接下来是2号线(Line 2)，绝对是面向自由职业者和企业主的。我过去曾在当地的电脑维修业务中使用过(computer repair business)2 号线(Line 2)，这绝对物有所值。他们有每月 10 美元的个人版和每月 15 美元的商业版(business version)。您可以在主页上(home page)看到这两种服务之间的区别。
对于真正的企业来说，自动话务员、免费电话号码、多条线路和下班后呼叫处理功能是一大优势。显然，它要贵得多，除非您想在家外开展业务等，否则我不建议这样做。
对我来说，我使用了一项服务来录制听起来很专业的商务问候(business greeting)，然后启用自动助理功能。当我的客户打来电话时，这对我的看法产生了很大的影响。这比我拿起电话说“你好(Hello)？”要好得多。
Line 2还具有出色的应用程序和 Web 仪表板，用于管理您的所有呼叫、语音邮件、转发规则等。它有点贵，但对于需要一些额外功能的企业来说是最便宜的选择。
Skype 号码
如果您已经使用Skype，您可能需要查看获取Skype 号码(Skype Number)。Skype最酷的地方在于您还可以获得国际(International)号码。以上几乎所有其他应用程序仅适用于美国和加拿大号码(U.S. and Canada numbers)。在美国拨打电话的费用约为每月 6 美元。
除了Skype 号码，您还可以获得使用(Skype number)Skype的所有好处，例如视频通话、群组视频(group video)通话、短信(SMS messaging)、屏幕共享和文件共享(file sharing)。使用Skype，您基本上可以购买可用于国际电话、国际SMS等的信用额度。
总体而言，无需太多工作即可轻松获得手机的第二个或第三个或第四个号码。那里有很多选项，最适合您的选项将取决于您的使用场景(usage scenario)。最棒的是，如果您不满意，您可以随时取消所有这些服务。如果您有任何问题，请随时发表评论。享受！
Setup an Additional Phone Number on an Android Smartphone or iPhone
If you currently use your main рhone number for everything under the sun, you might have noticed that those annoying telemarketing calls have ѕtarted appearing on your cell phone. If you havе a home phone, уou wіll be bombarded with marketіng calls no matter whаt, bυt cell phoneѕ have been mostly immune to this prоblem υntil recently.
Unfortunately, if you use your main phone number when signing up on Craigslist or Airbnb or when applying for a credit card, the number may eventually find its way to these telemarketing companies. Luckily, you can add a second phone number to your current phone that you can use anytime you don’t want to share your main number.
In this article, I’m going to talk about several apps that basically add a second line to your phone. The prices range from free to close to $10 a month. The more money you’re willing to spend, the more features you’ll get. The paid options are mostly for freelancers or people who run small businesses from home.
Second Number Apps
There are basically only five recommendations I have for apps: Google Hangouts, Sideline, Burner, Skype and Line 2. In terms of cost, Google Hangouts is free, Sideline is $3 a month, Burner is $5 a month, Line 2 is $10 a month and Skype varies depending on the number.
In my opinion, you should start with free first and go from there until you find the app that works best for you. If you’re not running a business of any kind, then Hangouts will probably be more than enough for most people.
Google Voice/Hangouts
To be clear, you actually create a Google Voice number and then use Hangouts to make calls and send SMS messages. The first thing to do is go to Google Voice and get it connected to your main number. Once you have done that, click on the gear icon at the right and choose Settings.
You should see an access number for your voicemail and next to that, you will see a Get a Google Voice number link.
When you click on the link, you’ll have to choose whether you want a new number or if you want to use your mobile number. Obviously, if you want a second number, choose I want a new number.
On the next screen, you can get a number by area, zip code or city and enter a word or phrase or number if you want something specific. Keep going until you have your new number setup.
When someone calls on your Google Voice number, it will ring in Google Hangouts by default. However, you can go into the settings page on Google Voice and have the calls forwarded to your main number if you like. This way the phone will ring like a normal call.
In addition, you can record your own voicemail greeting and your name. You can forward text messages and voicemail to your email also. On the Calls tab, you can setup call screening so that unknown callers will have to speak their name before being connected to you. Google Voice also lets you record calls, switch between calls and do conference calls.
The great thing about Hangouts is that it works on several platforms including iOS, Android, and Chrome. If you go to https://hangouts.google.com/, you can send text messages and make audio and video calls from the web.
Another nice advantage to Google Voice is that you can still receive calls on your phone even without Hangouts being installed.
The only downside that I have run into so far is that sometimes the number is not accepted on certain websites, especially for use in two factor authentication. Most of the time it works, but sometimes you’ll get a message stating you can’t use that number, in which case you’ll have to use your real number. However, this issue isn’t just limited to Hangouts, but occurs will all second number apps.
As with all other apps, except Sideline, Hangouts is a VOIP app, meaning it uses data in order to work. If you don’t have a large data plan and you’re not connected to WiFi, this could cause problems for some users. Sideline is the only app that uses your carrier network to make and receive calls, thereby reducing data usage. However, it uses your cellular minutes just like when you are making calls from your carrier number.
Sideline
For $3 a month, Sideline gives you a second local number with less features than Google Hangouts. You can create a custom voicemail greeting, but that’s about it. By default, the app has ads, which is annoying. In order to remove the ads, keep the number permanently and enable WiFi calling, you have to spend the $3 a month.
But even with those features, it still doesn’t offer anything on par with Google Hangouts. For example, when receiving a call to your new second number, it shows some generic number in Sunnyvale, CA rather than the number of the actual person calling. You have to open the Sideline app to see the actual number of the caller.
Texting is free and there doesn’t seem to be any limit. If your cell phone plan allows you to call anyone at any time, then you can use your Sideline number similarly. You’ll also be able to port your number out eventually with the $3 a month plan.
Sideline – iTunes App Store
Sideline – Google Play Store
Burner
The Burner app’s purpose is slightly different than all the other apps mentioned here. For one thing, the numbers are supposed to “burn” away after a set amount of time. You can get a premium line, which is the $5 monthly fee I mentioned above, with unlimited texts, pictures and minutes.
Otherwise, you can choose from a wide variety of burners, like the Mini Burner, which will give you 60 texts, no pics, 20 minutes calling and auto-burns in 14 days. You can check out all the different types of burners here.
In order to buy the burners, you have to use credits. You can purchase credits inside the app. 3 credits are $2, 8 for $5, 15 for $8 and 25 for $11. This is a great app if you need new numbers often. If you just want a single number for a long period of time, get the Premium line for $5 a month.
One interesting feature of Burner are integrations or connections to other apps. For example, you can connect to Evernote and create a SMS auto-reply bot. Doesn’t make sense? Check out the video. It’s actually pretty cool and could be very useful for some people. In addition, you can log text messages to Google Sheets or save voicemail to Dropbox.
The app doesn’t have very many features, but works well. You can also set your own voicemail greeting for each burner number you create.
Burner – iTunes App Store
Burner – Google Play Store
Line 2
Next, there is Line 2, which is definitely geared towards freelancers and business owners. I’ve used Line 2 in the past for my local computer repair business and it was definitely worth the price. They have a personal version for $10 a month and a business version for $15 a month. You can see the difference between the two services right on the home page.
For a real business, the auto-attendant, toll-free number, multiple lines and after hours call handing features are a big plus. Obviously, it’s a lot more expensive and not something I would recommend unless you are trying to run a business out of your home, etc.
For me, I used a service to record a professional-sounding business greeting and then enabled the auto-attendant feature. This made a big difference in perception when my clients called in. It was way better than me picking up the phone and saying “Hello?”
Line 2 also has an excellent app and web dashboard for managing all your calls, voicemails, forwarding rules, etc. It’s a bit expensive, but the cheapest option for a business that needs some extra features.
Skype Number
If you already use Skype, you may want to check out getting a Skype Number. The cool thing about Skype is that you can get International numbers also. Pretty much all the other apps above work only with U.S. and Canada numbers. The cost for a number in the US is around $6 a month.
Along with the Skype number, you get all the benefits of using Skype like video calls, group video calls, SMS messaging, screen sharing and file sharing. With Skype, you basically buy credit that you can use for international calls, international SMS, etc.
Overall, it’s really easy to get a second or third or fourth number for your phone without much work. There are a lot of options out there and the best one for you will depend on your usage scenario. The great thing is that you can cancel all of these services whenever you want if you’re not satisfied. If you have any questions, feel free to comment. Enjoy!
