Burner phone apps: Pinger vs Burner vs Heywire vs Coverme

[cabot]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting rid of my crappy burner phone, and going to an app on my main phone. Primarily because I don't always have my hobby phone on me, and sometimes, opportunities arise unexpectedly.

So, I want to know what guys are using, and what are differences in terms of risk?

Question:

1. Will apps make phone calls that still go through my AT&T bill? Can they show up on there?

2. Do the apps look like burner apps on my iphone homescreen?

3. Can I lock them so even if someone is using my phone, they can't open the app?

4. Are there other security issues I should know about?

5. Do they call non-users of the app?

Here's my understanding:
---------------
Heywire: Text-only

Burner: Calls go through my carrier, phone & text. Refill with credits, and I can get multiple phone numbers. Not sure of usabilty?

Pinger: Pretty much same as above? Can I lock these apps? Are they obvious on my homescreen?

Coverme: Any usage?

[elborak]

There's also Google Voice (at least for Android; not sure about iOS). Text, calls via your phone data or WiFi, and voice mail.

[dynamitekid]

GV here too. Takes a few minutes to get the settings right, but rarely a problem otherwise.

[BluMax]

Since there is no 'standard' for MMS you will have a difficult time receiving pics on HeyWire or Pinger. You typically have no problem sending them. To receive a pic you have to send one first so I make all of my SMS MMS to alleviate that.

You can rename the app and change the icon. No one will ever no and it is free. It is cheaper and easier to hide than a burner.

[cabot]

Thanks. A couple of follow ups:

Blu: you use both pinger and heywire? I thought you can't make phone calls on Heywire? Also- can I passcode lock Pinger app, in case someone has my phone?
(Example: my kids use my phone often to look things up; if they play around with apps, while pinger open for them?)

Googlevoice: is it an app, or I login? How do I pay for the extra phone lines?

Thanks guys

[elborak]

Originally Posted by cabot

Googlevoice: is it an app, or I login? How do I pay for the extra phone lines?

https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115061?hl=en

It's both; it's tied to a Google account. Account is free, number is free. Android app lets you choose how it behaves. For example, for outgoing calls you can configure it to never use GV, always use GV, or prompt you.

[DirtyGoon]

I won't use google voice anymore. Good for outgoing but if they call you it goes to your real number. I use talkatone. You can lock it and make texts and calls for free. Only bad thing is no pics unless they also use talkatone.

[dynamitekid]

Originally Posted by Chefmc

Good for outgoing but if they call you it goes to your real number.

I'm pretty sure that's not true Chef...it goes to your phone, really nothing to do with your RL number.
The caller doesn't see your number (if that's what you are talking about)

[DirtyGoon]

Originally Posted by dynamitekid

I'm pretty sure that's not true Chef...it goes to your phone, really nothing to do with your RL number.
The caller doesn't see your number (if that's what you are talking about)

The caller doesn't see your real number however it will show up as an incoming call on your phone bill so the wife can see it.

[dynamitekid]

Originally Posted by Chefmc

The caller doesn't see your real number however it will show up as an incoming call on your phone bill so the wife can see it.

Ok, gotcha...talking about the phone bill...

Have fun with that whole "marriage" thing

[DirtyGoon]

Originally Posted by dynamitekid

Ok, gotcha...talking about the phone bill...

Have fun with that whole "marriage" thing

Yeah I know you don't have to deal with that but I'm sure a lot of us here do.

[FireFly2003]

I have cover me. Looks like a news app. Works over any Wifi or with the phone data. I could even use it overseas with no phone coverage only resort wifi. Haven't tried sending pics though. something like 100/ yr.

[cabot]

Does anyone know if Burner will show up on your phone bill?

If it does not - then it's the perfect app for hobby phone. I downloaded it to test. So far, in playing with it:

1. It allows for phone, text, photos.
2. It has an internal, separate contact list - that doesn't touch your real list
3. It has passcode that can lock

I loaded it, used a free app to change the icon to read something technical (and boring), plus it's locked. I then hid the underlying app, and you can't tell it's on my phone. I can turn off phone/text notifications.

Also - I can create a new phone (if I need to) in about 15 seconds - literally. So if you have a particular provider who likes to blow up your phone - I might just create a separate number for her. Then burn it till next time I call her when she's out of jail.

Other experiences?

[superglide1974]

I use GOogle Voice. Just turn it off in the app and log on and off as needed. It also links to your fake email. So you know when you get a text because it goes to your email. If you don't make your wife suspicious then there is nothing to worry about. I pay the phone bill and just pay online. No bill for the wifey to see. If your wife doesn't trust you then don't use this. I like the convenience of one phone though. I haven't tried anything else yet.

[bumble6000]

Originally Posted by Chefmc

I won't use google voice anymore. Good for outgoing but if they call you it goes to your real number. I use talkatone. You can lock it and make texts and calls for free. Only bad thing is no pics unless they also use talkatone.

It only does that if you have Google Voice setup to forward calls to your homephone. Check https://www.google.com/voice#phones (likely won't work on mobile devices) to see what Google will try calling.

I used one of these other programs to setup my Google Voice hobby number. When it rings, it just goes through the hangouts app. Google Voice isn't even aware that I have a home phone.