What Is a Burner Phone?
We all use smartphones, and they contain a lot of our personal information, including our own or our families’ data. They aren’t used by secret agents only, as you might have seen on Netflix series or movies, but normally, people use them. Knowing what a burner phone is is important, which you get to learn in this blog. Through this blog, you will get to know the working of these phones and the numbers, and moreover, know where to get them easily.
It is not advised to use Burner phones to harass or harm others; strict legal actions can be taken for such people.
What is a Burner Phone?
To protect your data, many users use a burner phone, which avoids all the spam calls and messages and acts like a backup phone. They are mainly used temporarily and not for permanent use. After using it for some time, you can even discard this phone or “burned,” which is why it’s called a burner phone. Why are they easier to get than your normal smartphone? It’s because when you purchase a normal smartphone, you have to give in all your details. Additionally it will keeps you anonymous whenever you have a conversation on it.
What Are the Features of a Burner Phone?
Burner phones are different phones. Here are the features of a burner phone that let it define its use more clearly.
Regular Calling and Messaging
The phone we use has the feature of internet audio or video calling. However, a burner phone can only be used to send text messages or make calls. These phones can fulfill the basic phone communications necessity, which makes them very easy to operate.
Uses Burner SIMs
Burner phones use prepaid SIMs, which are burner SIMs. You can discard these SIMs whenever you want. Moreover, you can use prepaid SIMs in your normal phone as well to make it use as a burner phone. There are no monthly payments for it.
Cheap Pricing
Burner phones are inexpensive, since they are disposable, and only have the basic calling and texting features, so their prices are low and there’s no tension of losing this device. Moreover, while purchasing, you don’t need to give your private information.
No Internet Facility
These burner phones do not have internet support, and you cannot install any applications or use social media on them. Since you can’t use the internet on burner phones, they maintain good privacy. However, some burner phones that are coming out now can use the internet.
Easy to Carry
Burner phones are easy to use and have small screens compared to the normal smartphones you use now. These phones do not have a touch screen but a keypad only, and no fancy looks. Buner phones are easy to carry and easily fit in your pocket.
Simple Operating System
These phones have a non-complex operating system that only supports features to call and send SMS, and sometimes a FM radio or calculator, a calendar, or can adjust the alarm on the burner phone device.
Good Battery Life
Burner phones generally have a good battery life, as they have only the necessary features and no other applications you can install or use on these phones. That’s why it makes its battery life excellent and very simple to use, which keeps you undistracted.
Working of a Burner Phone
Here is the working of these phones:
- First, get a burner phone from any retail store or purchase one online.
- After purchasing a device, get a prepaid SIM that is a burner SIM. On these SIMS burner phone numbers.
- Insert the SIM, turn on the phone, and no other tough setups.
- Now you can use your Burner phione for calling and texts, you can alos find features like a calculator and a radio on these phones.
After using a burner phone for your privacy needs, if you don’t have any need to use it further, it’s better to discard the device.
Burner Phone vs a Normal Phone Device?
You must use a smartphone, and if you don’t know what a burner phone and a normal phone, here is a short comparison table to help you understand the differences.
Phone features |
Burner Phone |
Smartphone |
Usage |
Best to use for private conversations for temporary usage. | They are used to be kept for the long term. |
Prices |
Very affordable, and you get a lower price. | Prices depend on multiple factors; prices are high. |
Functionalities |
Fewer functions, only used for calling and texting purposes. | Many features can even complete your business needs. |
Internet |
No internet or applications. | Has internet connectivity and can install applications from the Google Play Store and the App Store. |
Security |
High security, perfect for privacy. | Has privacy, but needs to use other privacy settings |
Battery |
More battery life up to days. | Less battery life can last up to 1 day or 2. |
When Should You Use a Burner Phone?
Burner phones aren’t only used to show in movies or series; they are useful when you need to have extra privacy, or if you do not want to share your real phone number, you can share a burner phone number with the other person. Using this phone also keep you away from spammy messages and unwanted calls. Using these kind of phones for a short time is a fine choice.
Some Other Uses of a Burner Phone
Here are some other ways listed to use these phones:
While Travelling
Travelling and searching. What is a burner travel phone? Keeping a phone while travelling is already important, as accidents can occur at any time to anyone. Phones sometimes might get misplaces suring travel. Having these phones can let you contact your close ones and iof get lost, that won’t be a bigger loss than losing your expensive phone device.
Risk-Free Communication
When you don’t know the other person, and you have a vibe that the individual is a bit suspicious, then you can use a burner phone, so your real phone number won’t get out. For instance, when making online purchases, you don’t know about the person at the other end.
Affordable Option
These phones are super affordable compared to the normal smartphones, because of fewer features. If your main usage of a phone is only for communication purposes, for calling and texting, then using a burner phone is the right option rather than purchasing an expensive device.
For confidentiality
Burner phones can be used when you need to have a confidential conversation, whether you belong to an agency or run a big business. Or anyone who needs to have a private conversation, burner phones provide greater security than a normal phone. Use a disposable burner number.
Can Burner Applications Be Used Instead of a Burner Phone?
If you don’t want to keep an extra burner phone with your smartphone, and also do not want to share your original phone number. There are various burner applications that you can use on your smartphones by installing them from the Google Play Store or the App Store. Burner apps generate a numbers for temporary usage. Since you’ll get another number, there’ll be no need to get the new burner phone. Such apps are beneficial for online verification, where verification is performed with your real phone number. For security verifications on online platforms, a temporary number can be used for verification.
Some of the Burner apps that you can use are Hushed, CoverMe, and Sideline.
Pros and Cons of Using a Burner Phone
Although till now you know how these phones are useful for having secure conversations. Here are some of it;s advantages and disadvantages:
Pros of Using a Burner Phone
The useful advantages of this phones are:
- Offers great privacy on burner numbers.
- Have an anonymous conversation with the people you don’t know.
- Easy to use, no complex setup required.
- A powerful battery that can be used for days.
- these phones and their SIMs can be disccarded anytime.
Cons of Using a Burner Phone
There are various advantages of using these phones; however, we can’t ignore the fact that it has some disadvantages. Which are:
- Fewer functionalities than a normal smartphone.
- Data transfer between a smartphone and a burner phone isn’t compatible.
- Once lost, it can’t be detected at its location because of no location options.
- Not suitable to use for regular use.
- Can’t connect to the internet.
Why Burner Phones are Good for Children?
Giving your child this phone can be a better way to stay in touch and monitor them while they’re outside because these devices are only used for texting and making calls. They can text or call each other with ease. Moreover, social media apps and online games don’t cause any distractions to them.
Burner Phones are a good option for children as they are not expensive, and your Child can stay away from cyberbullying and threats.
Conclusion
Burner phone is a device you use for temporary usage, mainly when you need to hide your identity from the other person. These phones can be discarded later once you have used them. They are low-cost unlike other smartphones. They can keep your identity safe using a burner phone number. You can also use a VPN on these phones if using an advanced device that can connect to the internet. Ensure to use a VPN like iProVPN.
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FAQs-Burner Phone
- What is a burner phone number?
Burner phone numbers are for temporary usage when you have privacy concerns, talking to anyone new, want to have a confidential talk, or if you belong to any agency
- Can I discard burner phones?
Yes, after you have used the burner phone for your needs, you can discard it as it is designed to be used for a short period.
- Can I connect internet on burner phones?
If you are using an advanced burner phone, then most probably it can be connected to the internet; however, burner phones lack this quality.
- Can I only get the SIM prepared?
Yes, if you don’t want to get a burner phone, you can use a prepaid SIM instead on your smartphone; it will work the same as a burner phone. You can call anyone from the burner number, which you can discard later.
- Can I use a VPN over a burner phone?
If you are using a burner phone that can connect to the internet, then you can use iProVPN on the device for more protection of your data.
