A “burner phone” is a cheap, prepaid mobile phone that you can destroy or discard when you no longer need it. In popular media, criminals often use burner phones to evade detection by authorities. You might use a burner phone for privacy reasons, as a last resort, or during an emergency.
A “burner SIM” is a related term, and refers to a cheap, prepaid SIM card that you can insert into another phone. You may plan on only using the SIM card for a limited period of time and not linking it to your real identity.
What Is a Burner?
A burner phone is a cheap, prepaid mobile phone that the owner generally doesn’t intend to use long term. These phones have traditionally been purchased with cash to avoid any kind of paper trail that would tie the phone number to an individual.
The term was popularized in the hit 2002 HBO series The Wire, where “burners” were used to avoid detection by authorities. Once a number was suspected of being compromised, the device was discarded or “burned” so that the trail would go cold.
Since the rise of iPhones and Android devices, burners are more commonly referred to as “feature phones” or “dumb phones,” since the smartphones of today didn’t exist in the early 2000s.While the term “burner phone” is still common, SIM cards could also be used in such a manner.
Instead of purchasing an entirely new device, a burner SIM can be used in a smartphone to switch between numbers for a variety of reasons. Some smartphones can even accommodate more than one SIM at a time for this purpose.
With that in mind, some of the applications of a burner phone rely solely on having a second dedicated device you can use.
Why Would You Use a Burner?
You might use a burner phone or a SIM to protect your identity. If you can manage to procure a handset or SIM card that isn’t linked to your real-world identity, you can use the number without the risk of being identified.
There are all sorts of reasons that someone might want to remain anonymous. Maybe you’re phoning in an anonymous tip to an employer. Maybe you would like to use a secure messaging service like Signal or Telegram without disclosing your primary phone number.
Maybe you’re trying to avoid giving your main phone number to marketers who will likely send you follow-up messages—like when you’re viewing a real estate listing or looking for insurance quotes.
Since burner phones are feature phones, they are severely limited in their abilities. Most lack cameras or access to a modern browser, and are instead limited to phone calls and text messaging. Since they are relatively lightweight devices, they have excellent battery life, too.
Many such devices will last for days on a single charge, and sometimes even months if you use the battery sparingly. This makes burner phones ideal for use in an emergency. They are often found in emergency survival kits since they can be charged and turned off until they are required. A burner phone is a spare phone with long battery life that doesn’t need an expensive cell phone plan—what’s not to like?
RELATED: Signal vs. Telegram: Which Is the Best Chat App?
A Burner Doesn’t Guarantee Anonymity
If you’re buying a burner phone for privacy reasons that extend beyond simply using the number to send anonymous Signal messages or avoiding spam, be aware that no cell phone provides you with true anonymity.
It’s all about your “threat model”—what threats are you trying to protect your privacy from?
Just think about the process of getting a burner phone from the store. Let’s say that you drive to a store, buy the burner phone with a credit card, drive home, and turn it on.
In the process of this: If you took your normal phone with you, your cellular carrier will know that you were at the store at the time the phone was purchased. License plate cameras on the route may have captured your license plate and recorded your movements. A camera in the store may have recorded you buying the phone. Your credit card company will have a record of you buying the phone. When you turn the phone on at home, the cellular carrier your phone uses will have a pretty good idea of where your home address is.
And if you carry your burner phone and normal phone at the same time and both are powered on, anyone looking at cellular phone records can get a pretty good idea that those phones are owned by the same person.
Yes, that’s a lot of ways that you could be traced by an adversary with serious resources. If you’re really trying to evade government authorities—well, good luck. You’ll need it.
On the other hand, if you just want a new phone number that isn’t directly and easily linked to your identity by the companies you deal with and the people you call, that’ll do just fine.
And if you’re not looking for anonymity and just want a secondary cell phone with long battery life for use in emergencies, this doesn’t really matter.
RELATED: Can Anyone Really Track My Phone's Precise Location?
Where to Get a Burner Phone or SIM
Convenience stores and electronic retailers will sell prepaid SIM cards and burner phones. Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and other similar stores will have a good selection of cheap devices or SIM-only plans that allow you to call and text, and not much else. You can often buy prepaid SIM cards from corner stores like 7-Eleven and drugstores like Rite Aid.
You should expect to pay between $10 and $50 for a cheap burner, depending on the features you want. Plans start at around $10, but ultimately, it depends on your intended usage. Most burners are used purely for texting and calling, and any additional features on top of that (touchscreens, cameras, etc.) may be surplus to requirement and a waste of battery life.
The Tracfone TCL Flip 2is a simple flip phone with 4G LTE and Android 11 that provides up to 6.8 hours of talk time on a single charge for just $20. It even has a camera. is significantly more expensive at $86. Tracfone also offers a similar $20 flip phone, the Nokia 2760.
Tracfone also offers the Nokia C100, a more traditional 4G LTE smartphone with a larger screen, 32GB of storage, and Android 12 for $50. You can buy them online or find Tracfone phones in stores near you.
A Cheap Burner Phone
The Tracfone TCL Flip 2 phone is a 4G LTE smartphone with Android 11. (But you might want to buy one at a store with cash for maximum anonymity rather than ordering it online.)
More Hardware
Tracfone's Nokia C100 includes 32GB of storage, Android 12, and a larger touch screen. It won't be as fast as a high-end smartphone, however.
The cheapest phone will be locked to a specific carrier. If you want to bring your own SIM card and use your phone with another carrier, look for an unlocked burner phone. For example, the RCA Reno smartphone features Android 11, 4G LTE, and 16GB of storage for just over $60 at the time of writing.
Be sure to look for a burner phone that supports the cellular provider you’ll get a SIM card from.
An Unlocked Burner Phone
This unlocked GSM phone is compatible with T-Mobile and other carriers using the T-Mobile network.
If you’re really looking for anonymity, how far you want to go in anonymizing your purchase is up to you. You could ask someone else to buy it for you, or ask them to purchase you a gift card, which you then might use to buy the phone. You could also use cash in person. For the sake of anonymity, you probably want to avoid using your credit or debit card, so purchasing from an online retailer is probably not the best idea.
If you’re only purchasing a burner to throw into a survival kit or to keep in the car for emergencies, you can comb the web for the best deals without worrying about privacy implications. Amazon, eBay, or your preferred local service provider are great places to start.
What About Google Voice and Other Services?
If you’re simply looking for a second number that you can use to call and text from a computer, or to use with a service like Signal or Telegram, consider VoIP services. Google Voice, Skype, and other internet telephony providers can give you a number that you can use for basic texting and calling.
Google Voice only works in the U.S., but it’s free and easy to sign up for. You can register a new Google Account to use with your new number and take precautions like hiding your IP address using a VPN. Other providers exist, but they will likely charge you for a number (and that may require linking your card).
RELATED: What Is a VPN, and Why Would I Need One?
Burn After Reading
If you’re using a burner for privacy reasons, make sure that you take appropriate steps to distance your identity from your purchase. If your interest in a burner is purely for emergency or backup use, make sure that you charge the phone before you stow it (and consider an AA battery charger).
Wondering how you can charge your burner while away from a power outlet? Learn how to charge your phone in the middle of nowhere. If you’re wondering how police have tackled this phenomenon in the past, consider watchingThe Wire.
RELATED: How to Charge Your Smartphone While Camping
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FAQs
What Is a Burner Phone, and When Should You Use One? ›
A burner phone, or burner, is an inexpensive mobile phone designed for temporary, sometimes anonymous, use, after which it may be discarded. Burners are purchased with prepaid minutes and without a formal contract with a communications provider.
What is the difference between a burner phone and a prepaid phone? ›Prepaid phones can be found in retail electronic and discount stores. A burner phone is a term that describes cheap, discardable phones someone uses for privacy protection with the intention to dispose of them after a few uses, especially if a number is compromised.
Can you text on a burner phone? ›Burner phones are usually feature phones, which means that they bear more resemblance to the cell phones that were popular in the early 2000s. They are generally limited to calls and text messaging and won't have smartphone features like cameras and internet browsing.
Do burner phones come with a phone number? ›Burner apps work by assigning you a real phone number after you sign up and pay for a monthly subscription. Some apps require the purchase of credits instead of regular subscription payments, which might be more beneficial if you don't use your number that often.
Is it illegal to have a burner phone? ›So, are Burner phones illegal? No! Burner phones aren't illegal. In fact, they offer an added layer of safety between you and those looking to perform illegal activities, such as hack your phone, access your contacts, or use your number to lookup private information about you.
Why would someone want a burner phone? ›Burners are purchased with prepaid minutes and without a formal contract with a communications provider. While some users may buy burner phones for cash to avoid the financial commitment of a contract, some others use their phones for illicit purposes, such as criminal conspiracies and fraud.
Why would you need a burner phone? ›A “burner phone” is a cheap, prepaid mobile phone that you can destroy or discard when you no longer need it. In popular media, criminals often use burner phones to evade detection by authorities. You might use a burner phone for privacy reasons, as a last resort, or during an emergency.
How long do Burner numbers last? ›Prepaid Burners for Android users, also have an expiration date attached to them and will be deleted within 30 days. If you wish to keep your prepaid Burner, you'll need to upgrade to a subscription or attach your Burner number to a bigger subscription package.
Can you get Internet on a burner phone? ›Most offer only the most basic 3G calling and texting functionality, but you also can get 4G Android burner phones that include data so you can browse the Internet and download apps.
Can the government track a burner phone? ›The answer is yes. A burner phone number can be traced. But it is difficult to trace a burner phone without specialized tools. Furthermore, unless the burner phone is used in a serious crime, it is very unlikely that police or prosecutors would allocate the resources required to solve the crime.
What are the disadvantages of a burner phone? ›
- Prepaid cell phones are not free, as is the case with phones when you sign a year-long contract. This means a larger initial investment. ...
- The phones are more expensive to use. ...
- Unless you are organized and keep track of your credit, you run the risk of running out of minutes when you most need them.
Both prepaid cell phones and temporary cell phones (burner) can be purchased anonymously, by paying with cash or a prepaid credit card in a store.
What happens if you call a burner phone? ›Burner never shows your real number when you place a call or text someone. When you receive a call, Burner forwards calls from your burner numbers to your phone to stay anonymous. Whenever you place a call, it'll show up on someone else's phone bill as a call from your Burner number, nothing else.
Why do people buy prepaid phones? ›Prepaid phone plans are often less expensive than postpaid options in the U.S. Since prepaid phone plans do not require a contract, you can easily switch or cancel your service. Prepaid phone plans tend to offer more niche features than their postpaid siblings.
Can you use a burner phone forever? ›There are no contracts that come with burner phones, so you can choose to use a temporary phone number for as little or as long as you need.
Why do men have burner phones? ›A burner phone allows you to talk to and text with someone before things get too serious. Sometimes you can only get a vibe from someone until after you've spoken with them. And you may want to confirm they are who they say they are but you shouldn't have to give them your phone number to do so.
How much does it cost to get a Burner number? ›Starting at $4.99 per month, all Burner Subscriptions come with: Unlimited calls/texts/pics. Auto-renewing lines.
How much does Burner charge? ›Once the trial expires, so do your numbers. You can keep using them when you pay $4.99 per month for a single line if you sign up for the service on their website. Multiple lines cost extra, and Burner doubles the pricing if you sign up with the mobile app.
What is a trap phone? ›Noun. trap phone (plural trap phones) (informal) A prepaid cell phone, often used by criminals to conduct illegal activity.
Do you have to pay monthly for a prepaid phone? ›Finally, prepaid cell phone plans require monthly renewal or recurring payments. If you don't renew before the service expires, you lose the phone number completely (and are often charged additional fees to get a new number).
Can anyone look through my phone? ›
Long story short: yes, someone can monitor your phone to keep tabs on all your activities. This includes phone calls, texts, browser activity, photos, videos, apps, and more. This is often done via spyware, a form of malware designed for monitoring a device's activity remotely.
Can police see your phone remotely? ›Cloud Data. There are many backups of data on your phone. Anything saved outside of your device can be accessed by law enforcement if they follow the correct and established legal routes to do so.
Can someone detect your phone? ›Regardless of whether you use an iPhone or an Android smartphone, it is possible for someone to install spyware onto your phone that secretly tracks and reports on your activity. It's even possible for someone to monitor your cell phone's activity without ever even touching it.
What phones are considered burner phones? ›Phones with 4G and touchscreens are great, but these features tend to hike up the price and offer nothing special to a burner phone. As a result, burner phones are usually cellphones that look like models from the early 2000s; as long as it can make calls and receive texts, it's perfect for the job.
Is it better to have a prepaid phone or plan? ›Prepaid cell phone plans tend to be cheaper, but they usually come with fewer perks and features. Postpaid cell phone plans almost always cost more, but they often come with discounts on new devices and other benefits, like more reliable data speeds.
Why is it called a trap phone? ›“Trap phone” is a slang term for a burner phone, and these are often used by drug dealers or other criminals to protect their identity when conducting business. These phones are untraceable, as they are often discarded physically when their intended use is complete.
What is the disadvantage of a Verizon prepaid plan? ›Verizon Prepaid and Postpaid Phones
Verizon prepaid plans don't allow you to pay for phones on monthly installments, which means you're left to bring your own phone, or pay for a new one at full price.
Roughly a third of Americans have some type of pre-paid cellular plan (36%), either one where they pay prior to using allowances and making calls, or where they pay for minutes, texts, data or a number of days and refill as needed.
Can I just buy a phone without a plan? ›Can I buy a cell phone without a plan? Yes, you can buy an unlocked phone without a plan. If you don't want to sign a contract and pay a monthly fee in order to purchase a phone, you don't have to. A locked cell phone is one that includes a SIM card and only works in a specific cell phone carrier's network.
What are the disadvantages of a prepaid phone? ›On a prepaid plan, you can only use the voice, text, and data services you paid for beforehand. If you run out, your carrier may offer extra for a fee. If you don't make your monthly payment, you won't suffer a hit to your credit score. Instead, you lose access to your plan until you add more money.
Why do drug dealers use prepaid phones? ›
“Trap phone” is a slang term for a burner phone, and these are often used by drug dealers or other criminals to protect their identity when conducting business. These phones are untraceable, as they are often discarded physically when their intended use is complete.
Can a prepaid or burner phone be tracked? ›After burning a number, there's no way that anybody will be able to trace your burner phone. All data will be wiped, including messages, voicemails, and photos. You won't be able to undo it once it's done, so make sure you pull out everything you need before burning.
Why would you want a prepaid phone? ›Ultimately, switching to a prepaid plan is a great way to save money. You'll find lower monthly costs for the same coverage and a variety of features. You won't find credit checks, contracts or overage fees. Of course, data may be slightly slower than you'd experience with postpaid services.
Do prepaid phones have monthly fees? ›Finally, prepaid cell phone plans require monthly renewal or recurring payments. If you don't renew before the service expires, you lose the phone number completely (and are often charged additional fees to get a new number).
What is the downside to burner phones? ›The main disadvantage of burner phones is that they can be illegal or unethical in some situations. Burner phones can be used to evade law enforcement, commit fraud, or harm others by making prank calls, sending threats, or spreading misinformation.
Can you call 911 on a burner phone? ›The FCC (and many similar national governing bodies) mandates that any cell phone must be able to call 911, even if that phone doesn't subscribe to the carrier's network. This means that your outdated Android phone still has some use, since 911 is reachable even with a deactivated device.
Can you get internet on a burner phone? ›Most offer only the most basic 3G calling and texting functionality, but you also can get 4G Android burner phones that include data so you can browse the Internet and download apps.
Can the police track a prepaid phone? ›Prepaid cellphone users may be tracked by law enforcement agencies at any time, without police first having to obtain a probable-cause warrant.
What phone Cannot be tracked? ›Among the most secure Phones – Purism Librem 5
These switches are located for the cameras, microphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular baseband. This phone has all the significant trackers disabled by default. To add to that, it has layered security protection in its Linux OS.
The answer is yes. A burner phone number can be traced. But it is difficult to trace a burner phone without specialized tools. Furthermore, unless the burner phone is used in a serious crime, it is very unlikely that police or prosecutors would allocate the resources required to solve the crime.
What information is needed for a prepaid phone? ›
After purchasing a card, you use it by calling an access number, which can be either a local telephone number or a toll-free number. You will then be prompted to provide your personal identification number, usually listed on the card you purchased, and the telephone number you wish to call.