3 Ways to Text Without Showing Your Number - wikiHow (2024)

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methods

1Using an Email Account

2Using TextSendr

3Using the TextNow App

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Article Summary

Written byTravis Boylls

Last Updated: April 9, 2024Tested

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Are you looking for an easy way to send an anonymous text message? If you want to send private SMS messages without showing your phone number, you have many options, including several free Android and iPhone apps! This wikiHow will teach you easy ways to block your phone number while sending a text message through email, with free apps, and an anonymous texting website.

How to Hide Your Number While Sending a Text

  • Download and sign up for an anonymous phone number service like Text Now or Google Voice.
  • Once you set up your account, choose a new phone number from the list.
  • Enter the recipient’s phone number and send your text.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using an Email Account

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  1. 1

    Try to find out which carrier your recipient uses. In order to send a text message to a phone via an email address, you'll need to know which carrier—e.g., Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T—the phone uses.

    • You sometimes can type the phone number into a computational search engine (e.g., WolframAlpha) to bring up information about the carrier.
    • If you don't know which of these five carriers the phone uses, you'll need to send a message to all five of them.
  2. 2

    Open an ambiguous email inbox. If you have an email address that doesn't use your real name (or anything close to it), isn't in any of your friends' contacts lists, and isn't linked to any social media accounts (e.g., Facebook), you can send an anonymous text from it.

    • If you don't have such an email, you'll first need to create a new email address for the purposes of texting without showing a number. You can also use an anonymous email service.

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  3. 3

    Select the "Compose" button. You'll usually find it either on the side of the page or at the top of the page.

  4. 4

    Select the "To" text field. This is where you'll enter the phone number.

  5. 5

    Type in the phone number. Enter the phone number of the person to whom you want to send an anonymous text. Make sure that you enter numbers only (no parentheses or dashes).

  6. 6

    Add the service provider's email-to-text handle. This will vary depending on your selected carrier. It can also vary depending on if your are sending images attachments or not. If you are sending text only, you can send it to the SMS handle. If your message includes image, audio, or video attachments, you'll need to send it to the MMS handle. Add one of the following handles to the end of the 10-digit number in the email recipient field:[1]

    • T-Mobile (SMS & MMS) ー @tmomail.net
    • AT&T (SMS) ー @txt.att.net
    • AT&T (MMS) ー @mms.att.net
    • Metro PCS (SMS & MMS) ー @mymetropcs.com
    • Sprint {SMS) ー @messaging.sprintpcs.com
    • Sprint {MMS) ー @pm.sprint.com
    • Verizon (SMS) ー @vtext.com
    • Verizon (MMS) ー @vzwpix.com
  7. 7

    Enter your message. Type the text message's text into the body section of the new email form. You can leave the "Subject" text field blank.

  8. 8

    Select the "Send" button. This will send your email's body text as a text message. When your recipient receives the message, they will see the email address.

    • Some phones will block automatically any text received from an email address.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using TextSendr

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  1. 1

    Go to https://www.textsendr.com/ in a web browser. Textsendr is a website that allows you to send text messages for free using your internet browser. All you need to know is the recipient's phone number and mobile carrier.

  2. 2

    Enter the recipient's phone number. Use the first field at the top of the form on the right side to enter your recipient's 10-digit phone number.

  3. 3

    Enter your email address (optional). Use the second field to enter your email address. While this is optional, it allows the recipient to respond to your text messages. In some cases, your message may not be delivered if you don't provide an email address.

    • If you don't want to use your own email address, you can use an anonymous email service, or you can create a new Gmail account for free.
  4. 4

    Select the recipient's mobile carrier. Use the drop-down menu below the field where you enter your email address to select the recipient's mobile carrier. You need to know this in order to send them a text message.

  5. 5

    Enter your message. Use the fourth field in the form to enter the message you want to send.

  6. 6

    Solve the math equation. The fifth field in the form asks you to solve a simple addition equation. This is an anti-spam measure to make sure you are an actual person. Add the numbers together and enter the answer in the field below the equation.

  7. 7

    Click Send Text Message. It's the red button at the bottom of the screen. This sends your text message.

    • The text message will contain your IP address. If you are concerned about your privacy, you may want to use a VPN.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using the TextNow App

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  1. 1

    Download the TextNow app. Use the following steps to download and install TextNow:

    • Open the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone).
    • Tap the Search tab (iPhone only).
    • Enter "TextNow" in the search bar.
    • Tap TextNow in the search results
    • Tap Install or GET.
  2. 2

    Open TextNow. Tap OPEN in your phone's app store, or tap the TextNow app icon on your phone's Home Screen or in the Apps menu.

  3. 3

    Tap Sign Up. It's the purple button at the bottom of the screen.

  4. 4

    Select a sign up method. If you want to sign up using your Google or Facebook account, tap Continue with Google or Continue with Facebook. This will create a new account using your Facebook or Google information. If you want to sign up using your email address, tap Sign up with email.

  5. 5

    Enter your account details. If you are signing up using your Google or Facebook account, you may need to enter the username and password associated with your Facebook or Google account. If you are signing up with your email address, enter a valid email address, and a password of your choice and tap Create.

  6. 6

    Allow permissions if prompted. TextNow asks you to allow it access to your notifications and locations. Tap Allow or Ok or Allow only when using TextNow to allow it permission.

  7. 7

    Enter your preferred area code and tap Continue. Tap the "Area Code" text field, then type in an area code that's different than the one that your regular phone number uses.

  8. 8

    Select a phone number and tap Continue. The first number in the list costs money to use. If you want to use a free number, select one of the numbers that says "Free" to the right and click Continue.

  9. 9

    Click Activate My Number. This activates your number and places a call to the TextNow Activation number.

  10. 10

    Tap the "Compose"

    button. You'll find this option in the top-right corner of the screen.

    • On Android, you'll instead tap the pencil-shaped icon in the lower-right side of the screen.
  11. 11

    Enter a phone number. In the text box at the top of the screen, type in the phone number to which you want to send an anonymous text.

  12. 12

    Enter a message. Tap the text box near the bottom of the screen, then type in the text message that you want to send.

  13. 13

    Tap Send. It's to the right of the text box. Your text will be sent; when your recipient receives the text, it will be from a different number than your actual phone number.

    • On Android, tap the blue paper plane-shaped icon instead of Send.
    • After sending the text, you may be prompted to add contacts or enable notifications if you haven't already done so.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question

    If I text someone, can that person text back without seeing my phone number?

    3 Ways to Text Without Showing Your Number - wikiHow (35)

    Community Answer

    No, they can still see your number. You need a special app to block your number when texting to prevent the number from being shown to others.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 13Helpful 66

  • Question

    Can I send a text message if I only have a person's email address?

    3 Ways to Text Without Showing Your Number - wikiHow (36)

    Community Answer

    You can if the address is a Gmail account.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 10Helpful 53

  • Question

    How do I prevent my number from showing when I text?

    3 Ways to Text Without Showing Your Number - wikiHow (37)

    Community Answer

    If you have an iPhone you should be able to go into the settings and turn off caller ID so when you call or text there should not be anything there.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Tips

      • Consider using anonymous texting apps when you are required to send text messages to individuals for whom you want to keep your phone number private. For example, if you are a school teacher who needs to update students on an assignment, use an anonymous texting app to keep your personal phone number private from your students.

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      Warnings

      • Do not send text messages from your personal email account if you want your identity kept private. The recipient will have access to your full name and identity when you send texts from your personal email account.

        Thanks

        Helpful27Not Helpful10

      • Do not use texting, in any form, to stalk, threaten or harass someone, send scams or viruses, or perform other illegal activities. Even if your number is not visible to the recipient, you can still be tracked down if necessary.

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        Helpful6Not Helpful1

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      About This Article

      3 Ways to Text Without Showing Your Number - wikiHow (53)

      Written by:

      Travis Boylls

      wikiHow Technology Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. This article has been viewed 1,354,692 times.

      How helpful is this?

      Co-authors: 13

      Updated: April 9, 2024

      Views:1,354,692

      Categories: Multi Platform Smartphone Applications

      Article SummaryX

      1. Install TextNow from the App Store or Play Store.
      2. Create an account.
      3. Allow requested permissions.
      4. Select a new area code and tap Next.
      5. Tap the Compose icon.
      6. Enter the recipient’s phone number.
      7. Type a message.
      8. Tap Send.

      Did this summary help you?

      • Print
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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,354,692 times.

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      3 Ways to Text Without Showing Your Number - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      3 Ways to Text Without Showing Your Number - wikiHow? ›

      You can call privately by entering *67 before you dial a number, which hides your phone number and name. You can also make a call private by turning off caller ID for all outgoing calls using the settings on your iPhone or Android.

      What is the code to hide your number? ›

      You can call privately by entering *67 before you dial a number, which hides your phone number and name. You can also make a call private by turning off caller ID for all outgoing calls using the settings on your iPhone or Android.

      How do I text anonymously? ›

      Send an Anonymous Text With SMS Gateways
      1. AT&T: SMS: [NUMBER]@txt.att.net; MMS: [NUMBER]@mms.att.net.
      2. Sprint: SMS: [NUMBER]@messaging.sprintpcs.com; MMS: [NUMBER]@pm.sprint.com.
      3. T-Mobile: SMS/MMS: [NUMBER]@tmomail.net.
      4. Verizon Wireless: SMS: [NUMBER]@vtext.com; MMS: [NUMBER]@vzwpix.com.
      Nov 19, 2021

      Is there a way to text without a phone number? ›

      You can use email and internet texting services to send a text without a phone number. JustCall can help you find alternatives. Is it possible to send a free text message over the internet? Yes, it is possible to send text messages for free over the Internet.

      Does *67 work for texting? ›

      Any number you call while using *67 or the local version will not be able to redial your number. But keep in mind that this only works for phone calls, not text messages.

      How do you hide your phone number when texting? ›

      How to Hide Your Number While Sending a Text
      1. Download and sign up for an anonymous phone number service like Text Now or Google Voice.
      2. Once you set up your account, choose a new phone number from the list.
      3. Enter the recipient's phone number and send your text.
      Apr 9, 2024

      What happens if you dial *#31? ›

      Hide Caller ID: *31#

      You might have received a call from unknown number. The caller might have hidden the ID intentionally or sometimes it can be accidental. If you want to hide the caller ID dial *31# and press call button.

      What is the texting app that hides your number? ›

      Text Vault is the best texting app for protecting your real phone number during texting by keeping your personal phone number private and secret. Text to strangers with a disposable temporary protected phone number. + Get a free private phone number for private texting & SMS.

      What is the best private messaging app without a phone number? ›

      Wickr Me. Founded by a group of security experts and advocates, Wickr Me is one of the best private messaging apps for anonymity. It's designed to send auto-destructing text or voice messages, photos, or videos to other users. And it doesn't require an email or phone number to sign up.

      Does TextNow show your real number? ›

      All TextNow users will have access to our basic Caller ID feature that displays the phone number, and location if available, for any incoming or outgoing calls.

      What does *82 do on a cell phone? ›

      Some mobile devices may alternatively offer or require a menu selection to override Caller ID blocking per call. To correctly unblock a number, listen for a dial tone, dial *82, and listen for the momentary flashing dial tone which confirms the override.

      How do you mask your phone number? ›

      Enter *67. Enter the number you wish to call (including area code). Tap Call. The words "Private," "Anonymous," or some other indicator will appear on the recipient's phone instead of your mobile number.

      How do you hide your mobile number? ›

      To turn off caller ID, open Settings, tap Applications, and then tap Phone. Locate and tap More Settings. Tap Caller ID. And select Hide Number.

      Does * 67 still hide your number? ›

      Even with today's diverse range of communication devices, *67 still works on cell phones and landlines. No matter which device you use, whether an iPhone or Android, the code allows you to hide your phone numbers during calls. The process of using *67 is uniform across various devices.

      What is * 67 vs * 69? ›

      *67 - Caller ID Block: Hides your phone number on Caller ID systems. *69 - Call Return: Redials the last number that called you. *70 - Call Waiting: Places your call on hold so you can answer another.

      Does * 31 * hide your number? ›

      Stop your number showing

      This is known as CND blocking. To block CND on all calls from your phone, contact your telco. To block caller ID for an individual call, dial 1831 (or #31# from a mobile) then the number you are calling. Generally, this will make sure the person you are calling will not see your number.

      Does *67 cost money? ›

      There is no charge for using Per-Call Blocking. Per-Call Blocking is automatically available to you. There is no need to add this feature to your account. For permanent blocking of your Caller ID information, please contact us at 800.288.

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