How to send texts from a different number with the same phone (for business)

2024 update: Major carriers have introduced new privacy measures and made number porting simpler for small business owners. Check with your provider for the latest details. 

As a business owner, you have many responsibilities. You need to fulfill client orders, handle inquiries, and manage finances. It’s also important to protect your privacy, which is why texting from a separate line can help you stay organized.

The prime challenge though? Privacy.

You see, with so many new changes in technology, it’s not surprising that people are more conscious of their efforts to protect their privacy.

Protecting your mobile number is a key step for online privacy. If you run a business, your personal number might not be the best choice. Instead, consider using an alternate line or texting service to keep your personal details safe.

This guide will show you five ways to text from a different number using the same phone. Each method keeps your personal number private.

“Ensuring privacy and regulatory compliance is essential when texting from a different number.” – Jane Smith, Telecom Compliance Specialist (LinkedIn)

5 ways to send a text from a different number

Remember that each of these methods for texting from a different number comes with its unique advantages so you’ll want to decide on one go-to solution (+ a backup method) before implementing them.

1. Use a texting app like SimpleTexting (business SMS platform)

While various apps allow you to create a second number, few provide a business text messaging service like SimpleTexting.

Many apps let you create a second number. However, only a few offer a full business text messaging service like SimpleTexting. SimpleTexting is designed for business use and offers more features. 

SimpleTexting is hassle-free. It integrates smoothly with typical small-business workflows. In addition, you can create multiple numbers for different campaigns. For example, use a toll-free line for customer support and a local line for community outreach. Try vanity short codes for brand recognition, too. 

SimpleTexting’s Multiple Number feature helps you create and text with a new number. Here’s how it works: 

Step 1: In SimpleTexting’s app, go to your profile’s right-hand corner and click Numbers. 

Step 2: Click Add number.

Step 3: Choose your option. You can text-enable an existing number . Or, you can create a vanity toll-free number . You can also use a local number . Pick the option that fits your needs best. 

Let’s assume you chose to add a local number for this article.

Step 4: Enter your area code, choose a number, and select Get this number.

Step 5: Add a description to your new number. This helps you remember its purpose. For example, you might use it for two-way messaging with customers or suppliers. 

And just like that, you have a new number to text without giving out your personal information.

With this feature, you can also create numbers for departments, store locations, or salespeople. Each group can manage its own text conversations. This makes it easier to stay organized. 

You can set permissions, monitor inboxes, and delegate conversations with additional numbers. You can also run campaigns from any number you create.

💡 Pro Tip from SimpleTexting: The Multiple Number feature is also useful for landline text messaging . This lets you text using a number connected to a landline. It keeps your business communications separate and secure.

🎉 Sign up for a free trial now . Start using SimpleTexting to send business texts from a new number, even with your personal phone. 

2. Check with your carrier service to see if they provide this option

To check if your carrier service provides the option to text from a different number, you can usually find this information on their website or contact their customer support directly. 

Start by visiting the official website of your carrier, such as Verizon, AT&T, to explore options for a separate phone line or number. Follow the on-screen instructions for setting up additional lines.

• Verizon Support
• AT&T Customer Support
• T-Mobile Support
• Visible Help Center
• Mint Mobile Help Center

To find help with this specific issue, use keywords like “text from different number” or “secondary number texting” in the search bar on the carrier’s website. This should direct you to relevant pages or articles that explain if such a feature is available and how to use it.

Tip: If you can’t find the information you need on the website (or you want a quick reply), try reaching out to the carrier’s customer support. Ask them directly about the possibility of texting from a different number and (super important!) any associated costs or requirements.

3. Get a secondary SIM card 

Your carrier will also be able to help with this but, alternatively, you can look into different mobile service providers in your area to find a better price-to-value offer. You’ll simply have the option to purchase these cards online or from a physical store.

• Test out this approach—and the carrier—by looking for providers that offer secondary or prepaid SIM cards without long-term contracts, so you can try the service before committing. 
• Start with a plan that covers basic needs (like texting and calling) and scale up as required with a prepaid plan that has minimal monthly charges. 
• Before relying on your secondary number for important communication, send a few test messages and calls to confirm connectivity and functionality. Once you’re satisfied, you can make your secondary number public for business use. 
• You want to first test out this approach (as well as the actual carrier) so you should look for providers that offer secondary SIM cards or prepaid SIM cards without contracts that require a long-term commitment.
• Plans are different so you’ll want to start with one that covers the basics (i.e. texting, calling) and scale with a prepaid plan with minimal monthly charges.
• Before relying on a single secondary number for important communication, test it out. Send a couple of test messages and make a few test calls to confirm connectivity. If all works well, you’re ready to make this secondary phone number public.

For example, you could buy an eSim or physical SIM card from T-Mobile for as little as $0. This zero cost includes a new phone number. However, you’ll have to pay separately to top up your prepaid account. T-Mobile also has an exclusive AutoPay and Auto Refill service that securely stores your payment methods to automatically deduct payments from your credit card or checking account, ensuring your T-Mobile bill is paid on time. T-Mobile SIM Pricing . 

4. Getting a virtual phone number

We’ve already covered how you can get a virtual phone number from SimpleTexting. However, there are other services that can act as an app to text from a different number. Google Voice, for instance, is a convenient choice that can be tied to your other Google accounts. 

For full details on plan requirements and costs, see Google Voice Help.

To get started, head over to Google’s Voice product page and select a plan that best suits your needs:

A simple Starter plan will be enough for national texts and conversations. But there’s a catch: Besides the cost of the Google Voice plan you need a Google Workspace account as well. This comes at an extra cost and you simply can’t use the Voice feature without having a Google Workspace account.

For Google Workspace subscription costs required for Google Voice, visit the Google Workspace pricing page.

If you already have a Workspace plan and don’t mind the additional Voice costs, you’ll be immediately prompted to pick a virtual phone number by city or area code. 

Once in, you’ll be able to send voicemail greetings, forward calls, send text message notifications, and even block unwanted callers. 

Tip: You can link your Google Voice number to devices such as phones, tablets, or computers and send and receive calls and texts from any of them.

5. Use a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service

With VoIP and virtual phone numbers you get to pick your own area code. This allows you to chat with clients from all around the globe as if they were right next door. This setup is perfect for businesses that operate remotely or have teams spread out all over the map.

➡️Read more on how a VoIP number works and when you should get one.

To send a business text from a different phone number using a VoIP Texting service you need to first select a provider that offers texting capabilities. With SimpleTexting you can start text marketing through its dedicated VoIP lines.

With its native advanced texting capabilities and user-friendly platform, all you have to do next is choose from an existing 10-digit number, validate a toll-free line, register a local number, or set up a short code. In minutes, your business will be fully equipped to send and receive texts, speeding up your communication with customers.

💡 Pro Tip from SimpleTexting: We’re proud to offer the unique ability to text-enable VoIP numbers. Consider integrating voice services with your number through a third-party VoIP provider, while using SimpleTexting for SMS. This dual approach can lead to cost savings for your business.

If you’re looking to start with texting, SimpleTexting lets you first get a new number through the platform. This means you can begin texting right away and it’s perfect for businesses or individuals who need a dedicated number for SMS communications.

In addition to our robust texting capabilities, we now support voice forwarding. After you get your new number from SimpleTexting, you can also accept phone calls through the same number. The calls can be forwarded to any phone of your choice, whether it’s your mobile phone or another device.

For more flexibility, we offer the ability to text-enable a local number. If you prefer using a local number for texting, you can do so, and we can also set up voice forwarding to ensure you don’t miss any important calls. This feature is handy for those who need a landline or prefer not to text-enable their existing landline.

Simply put, SimpleTexting gives you the power to manage both text and voice communications seamlessly, using a single number for both purposes. Whether you need a new number specifically for texting or want to enhance your local number with text and voice capabilities, we’ve got you covered.

Why text from a different number

There are several reasons why you might want to use a different number instead of your personal line to text people — especially for business.

To handle business communications

Running a business requires you to text suppliers, customers, and a ton of other people. As expected, many business owners would rather not use their personal numbers for this purpose.

This is where texting from a different business number while using the same phone comes in handy.

You can use this different number to text all you’re doing business with while protecting your personal details. That’s what EML Pool & Spa needed to manage business text messages (watch their video to learn more):

To protect yourself from scammers

Your mobile number holds a lot of information about you. In the wrong hands, it could be used to steal your identity or hack into your bank or social media profiles.

It’ll be better to text using a number different from your personal line to protect yourself.

To limit spam calls and texts

SMS and telemarketing are no doubt vital marketing channels. However, some businesses lack the ethics to receive consent before sending marketing SMS or calls.

As such, you risk receiving spam or unsolicited calls and texts if many people can get a hold of your personal phone number.

Additionally, if you choose a local phone number for business texting, consider 10DLC registration—this industry-standard measure can help your texts appear more legitimate and reduce the likelihood of being flagged or filtered out by carriers. 

To differentiate business from personal communication

Using the same number for personal and business communication often makes creating and maintaining a proper work-life balance challenging. Your messages inbox becomes overwhelmed with a mix of personal and business texts.

However, with separate numbers, you’ll find it easier to filter the messages you want to receive as you see fit.

To ensure multiple people on your team can send and reply to texts

If you use your personal phone number for business communications and each of your team members do the same, there is no easy way to manage all of your business texts in one place.

Sending business texts via single, defined business phone number gives you a single inbox to send and reply to texts that multiple people may access.

Etiquette when texting from a new number

So now you’ve gotten a different number to use for business while using the same phone. How do you go about sending texts?

• Introduce yourself 

• Think about your text’s recipient 

• Be clear 

• Maintain your brand tone 

• Respond as soon as you can  

Confirm compliance and consent  
Always confirm that your contacts have opted in to receive texts and follow text marketing guidelines or local regulations. This protects you from spam complaints and preserves your brand reputation. 

Here are the best practices to follow when texting someone with a new number.

1. Introduce yourself

When texting your customers, suppliers, or anyone else for business purposes with a new number, you’ll first need to introduce yourself and explain why you’re texting them.

When people know who you are and why you’re texting, it’ll help to keep their guard down and ensure they don’t regard you as spam — except, of course, they’ve made it clear that you shouldn’t text them.

2. Think about your text’s recipient

Every text you send in a business capacity is an extension of the brand you represent. As such, you must make a good impression with your text recipient. 

To achieve this, you’ll need to be clear on who you’re texting and ensure that your message is appropriate for them.

For instance, a promotional text to a customer might contain emojis and informal vocabulary, while one to a supplier might sound more formal.

3. Be clear

Anyone who receives your texts should be able to quickly get the message you’re passing across. Given the character limitations that come with text messages, it’s essential to cut any fluff and focus on the main message.

If your messages are unclear, it’ll leave room for multiple interpretations and might cause the recipient not to take the action you require from them.

So before you hit send, ensure you’ve proofread your text to confirm it’s clear.

4. Maintain your brand tone

That you’re sending an SMS doesn’t mean you should throw your brand guidelines away. Instead, it’s vital to maintain your brand tone to ensure people have the same experience with your brand — no matter the communication channel they use.

5. Respond as soon as you can

After sending a text, you can expect the recipient to text back, especially if you’ve asked them something. 

When you receive a response, you shouldn’t leave them hanging. Instead, you should text them back as soon as possible — either to confirm that you got their response or to continue the conversation.

Next steps

You protect your privacy and personal information when texting with a different number. Also, you’d be able to properly manage customer conversations — and ultimately grow your small business.

Key Takeaways

• You can text from a different number on the same phone by using texting apps like SimpleTexting, carrier services, secondary SIMs, virtual numbers, or VoIP solutions. 

• Texting from a separate number protects your privacy, helps manage business communications, and enables your team to collaborate more efficiently. 
• Always follow best practices: introduce yourself, consider your recipient, be clear, maintain brand tone, and respond promptly. 
• SimpleTexting makes it easy to set up and manage multiple business numbers with added features for compliance and team management. 

Using SimpleTexting’s Multiple Number feature is simple, and you get to enjoy many other features that make it easier to build your business. Book a demo to see how SimpleTexting can work for you.