How To Have Two Phone Numbers on One Phone: Small Biz Guide

How to have multiple phone numbers on one cell phone

Whether you’re an Android or Apple user, you can choose from a few different ways to add an additional phone number to your device. Before you get started, you should determine what exactly you plan to use the number for.

For example, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) apps and services will give you another number, but they require an internet connection to work. Other systems use your existing mobile phone carrier, like Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile, to add a second line so you don’t need to be tethered to an internet connection. 

Determine which business phone system will work best for you based on their services, pricing, and whether they work best for Apple or Android devices.

Once you pick the solution that’s best for your business, search for the number you want starting with your area code, and get set up.

1. Google Voice

Google Voice is a big part of the Google Workspace that allows you to add a business number to your cell phone. You can use it to:

• Make and receive phone calls
• Forward calls
• Send and receive text messages (SMS)
• Send and receive pictures and videos (MMS)

Google Voice works on both iOS and Android, and can even be used on a desktop (Mac or PC) or tablet as long as you have a microphone and a speaker. If you have a Google account, Google Voice will also work with other apps like Google Calendar and Google Meet as well.

Pricing for businesses starts at $10/month and goes up to as high as $30/month, which makes it an affordable option. Google Voice can also automatically switch between wi-fi and cellular networks for the best call quality and messaging services, so no need to panic if you’re in areas with weak or no wi-fi.

READ MORE:10 best CRM apps for small business success

2. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is another option you have when looking to add additional phone numbers to your cell phone—local numbers, toll-free numbers, and vanity numbers. You can use it to:

• Make and receive phone calls
• Forward calls
• Send and receive text messages
• Send and receive pictures and videos
• Add phone extensions
• Send and receive virtual faxes
• Handle multiple calls at once
• Transfer calls

Pricing starts at $18/month for a single mobile number and goes up to $70/month with four numbers. You can get a 20% discount on all plans when you choose annual billing.

Grasshopper also doesn’t need an internet connection to work so you can still receive phone calls and texts while out in the field.

3. OpenPhone

OpenPhone is a popular choice for many home service providers when looking to add a number to their existing phone. You can use it to:

• Make and receive phone calls
• Forward calls
• Send and receive text messages
• Send and receive multimedia messages
• Record and transcribe calls
• Set business hours

OpenPhone is a great platform for teams as it lets you keep all the communications for a phone number in one place, including calls, messages, and contacts.

Subscriptions start at $19/month for the starter plan that comes with one cell phone number and $33/month for the business plan with a variety of add-ons. You can get a 21% discount on the starter plan and a 30% discount on the business plan when billed annually. 

OpenPhone relies on an internet connection and can make calls around the world. It also integrates with Slack, Zapier, Salesforce, Hubspot, and email.

4. RingCentral

RingCentral is an artificial intelligence-driven platform and is a great option for larger businesses with advanced needs, supporting a variety of client and employee communications. You can use it to:

• Make and receive phone calls
• Send text messages, including video and picture messaging
• Send team messages and share files
• Send faxes
• Conduct video meetings
• Take notes from calls
• Set business hours

Adding a second line to your phone starts at $30/month and goes up to $45/month for the ultra plan. You can save 33% on all plans when billed annually.

RingCentral will use your carrier’s data connection when no wi-fi is available. This means that you’ll still receive text messages and phone calls as long as you’re within your carrier’s service area.

The platform has its own desktop app for your business and can integrate with Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, the Google Workspace, and more.

5. DialPad

Dialpad is another AI-driven platform that allows you to add a new phone number to your device and get access to a full-fledged communication hub for your business. You can use it to:

• Make and receive phone calls
• Forward calls
• Send and receive text messages
• Send and receive pictures and videos
• Record and transcribe calls
• Set up auto-attendants and call routing
• Conduct video meetings
• Set business hours

Plans start at $27/month per user for the standard plan and $35/month per user for the pro plan. The starter plan drops to $15/month per user and the pro plan comes in at $25/month per user when billed annually. 

Dialpad can be used through a mobile, desktop or browser app and doesn’t rely on an internet connection for its capabilities, which means you can be active anywhere you go. It also integrates with popular CRMs like Salesforce and Zendesk.

6. Verizon One Talk

Verizon One Talk is a versatile solution for adding multiple phone numbers to your phone, aimed at improving business communication across devices. You can use it to:

• Make and receive phone calls
• Forward calls
• Send and receive text messages
• Send and receive pictures and videos
• Add phone extensions
• Handle multiple calls at once
• Transfer calls
• Set up auto-attendants
• Set business hours

Verizon One Talk is a mobile-first experience and uses an app to connect devices to a single platform, allowing you to keep your teams on the same page at all times. One Talk’s real strength is that it uses the Verizon network to ensure stability and consistency of all your business needs, especially calls and messages throughout the day.

Plans start at $15 per business line, with additional features and pricing available with the help of a customer service representative.

7. Nextiva

Nextiva is a solution for adding multiple phone numbers to your business phone that focuses on the quality and consistency of its voice services. You can use it to:

• Make and receive phone calls
• Forward calls
• Send and receive text messages
• Send and receive pictures and videos
• Record and transcribe calls
• Conduct video meetings
• Set up auto-attendants and call routing

Plans start at $36/month per user and go up to $51/month per user. You can save up to 35% when billed annually.

Nextiva brings its users together across devices with a mobile, desktop and browser app, so your teams can stay connected at all times. 

The service relies on an internet connection, so you need to make sure your employees are on wi-fi to make and receive calls, as well as use other features.

READ MORE: The 8 best mobile field service apps to boost efficiency

Having two separate phones

You can also choose to have two separate phones. While adding a second number to a single device works for many service providers, it doesn’t always provide as much work-life balance as having two different phones.

Here are some of the benefits of having two separate phones for small business and personal use.

1. It’s easier to separate business communications

Using separate phones means that all of your text messages, phone calls, contacts, and business communications are stored in one device. They’re not mixed in with texts from your kids or friends, making them easier to manage, track, and respond to.

2. You can leave work calls at work

When you have a phone with two numbers, you can usually set your work hours so that you don’t receive calls or texts in your off time. However, it’s still tempting to check in, even if you’re supposed to be enjoying a vacation or relaxing at home.

Using a separate phone for work calls means that you can completely detach when you’re out of the office by leaving it at work or giving it to an employee. Calls are still managed during work hours but you’re not tempted to check your voicemail and you don’t have to worry about changing the settings in your phone to only show personal communications.

3. You don’t have to switch between personal and business

Most of the platforms that allow you to add another line to your mobile device allow you to set personal and business hours. But those may need to be updated depending on whether it’s your busy season, you’re on vacation, or your hours fluctuate.

In these cases, having a separate phone saves you from having to update and adjust your settings all the time. Instead, turn off your work phone when you’re unavailable, and switch it back on when you’re free.

Having one phone with two SIM cards

Your third option is to use two SIM cards. Every phone has a SIM card, which is what stores individual information about your device, like your phone number, contacts, and usage information.

Using multiple SIM cards allows you to have two separate phone numbers and contact lists. It’s essentially like having two separate phones without actually having different devices. Dual SIM cards will allow you to use your phone as normal without requiring a wi-fi connection.

If you want to use one SIM card for your personal contacts and another for your business communications, you have two options.

1. You can swap out your physical SIM cards each time you want to use them for a different purpose. For example, you can put in your business SIM card during work hours and swap it for your personal SIM card at the end of the day.

2. You can use a dual-SIM phone that can hold both of your SIM cards at once. All you need to do is switch to the profile you want to use. This feature is only available on newer phones, so it won’t be an option for every device.

To set yourself up with two SIM cards, you’ll need to get in touch with your cell phone carrier.

READ MORE: How to choose (and use) mobile devices for your home service business

Tips for managing a business phone

Regardless of whether you choose to add a number to your existing phone or use two phones, make sure that your business phone number works for you by:

• Setting your business hours
• Recording a professional voicemail message
• Setting up call forwarding when you’re away
• Giving access to employees when necessary
• Including your business number on your websites, business cards, and in ads

We’ll part with some wise words from Adam Sylvester of Charlottesville Gutter Pros & Charlottesville Lawn Care. “Use technology to eliminate human error. Yes, there is going to be a shred of human error leftover, but you can eliminate a lot of the humanness in it by having some proper technology in place.”

Originally published in August 2021. Last updated on July 18. 2024.