Texting App/burner number

[Sod Man]

I'm reviewing getting a texting app/burner number and stop using my burner phone.
I tried textnow but so many ads and multiple phone calls, so I'm looking at paid apps. I'm looking at Hushed, Burner and cover me. Anyone have experience with these?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Sod man

[snoopy75]

Google Voice has worked well for me...

[Charley3]

I’m using Burner. It’s ok but I keep buying more minutes and they don’t seem to always get applied to my account. It’s probably something that I’m doing wrong but it’s not fool proof for sure. Frustrating

[berryberry]

Google voice - free and easy

[sexymaid_69]

Google voice has changed post FOSTA
They now want you to link up a real number to use it.
Google is attempting to link up all online activity so I would look elsewhere for anonymity.

[Sod Man]

Anyone try either of these two apps Hushed or Burner if so your comments.

[MorganOBM]

I love textnow but the paid version

[tannana]

Originally Posted by sexymaid_69

Google voice has changed post FOSTA
They now want you to link up a real number to use it.
Google is attempting to link up all online activity so I would look elsewhere for anonymity.

That was true as far back as pre-FOSTA. To do G-V in a truly anonymous fashion, one must have access to a burner email and a burner phone to begin with. I made mine with a series of ringing payphones. You'll note those no longer exist. Here's the thing: that won't be truly anonymous, unless you commit to accessing it only by something like TOR. As soon as you use your "real" smartphone for your "burner" number, your anonymity is gone (because google will give up the IP address to a subpoena or warrant and your cell carrier will match that to you).

If you need/desire absolute anonymity? Find a store selling prepaid flip phones and pay in cash (technically, you should wait in the car next door and try to get a misbegotten youth to take $20 and go buy the phone for you whilst you wait down the block, so you aren't on the cameras buying the burner. I digress). There isn't a circumstance under any app that normal people (those who won't find unmonitored open wifi, understand TOR, etc) might use which is in any way really anonymous.

[sexymaid_69]

Tanana,
I didn't want to completely burst anyone's bubbles of illusion but yes your sword right through the bubbles is best I suppose.
Do we want to now inform them of the fact that even their regular smartphone/car/handhelds/I-watches can also be used to track where ever they've been?

[tannana]

Originally Posted by sexymaid_69

Tanana,
I didn't want to completely burst anyone's bubbles of illusion but yes your sword right through the bubbles is best I suppose.
Do we want to now inform them of the fact that even their regular smartphone/car/handhelds/I-watches can also be used to track where ever they've been?

Kill it with fire. (the notion that real, actual anonymity is easy).

Oddly, that's not a good reason not to _start_ there in the hobby. One should always, and I mean always be using a number, google voice or text burner app or flip phone purchased in cash that isn't one's real phone number. It makes a casual association harder. It makes changing one's hobby phone out when one meets a stalker much easier. Hell, I proxy my real cell phone number with a forwarding service and have now twice changed that for various reasons.

But REAL anonymity requires no link whatever between individual and the phone (or number). The only path for those who aren't technically inclined and with time to kill to that is a cash bought burner flip phone, which to your point should be off in a farady bag when not in use. Let's be real--most people won't do that. I have a such a beast in the "SHTF" kit, but I don't bother with it for the hobby. There's easier ways to reduce one's risk profile.

[zip2121]

Some services and websites block google voice, and almost all tor relays will too.

Textfree.us works sometimes, and its cheap to add minutes.

[tannana]

Originally Posted by zip2121

Some services and websites block google voice, and almost all tor relays will too.

Textfree.us works sometimes, and its cheap to add minutes.

If TOR relays block google voice, it's new as of this morning.

[yinzerpgh]

Maybe I got lucky, but my free TextNow app rarely gets spam calls/texts. I've had 3 different numbers and none of them received more than a few spams. The app sometimes goes wonky (closes itself or locks up) but those are rare instances.
Might want to try getting a different number?

[DrivesAllDay]

I've been using the Burner app for Android. $5/month isnt that bad for unlimited. So far I've had very very few spam calls on it.

[Charley3]

Originally Posted by DrivesAllDay

I've been using the Burner app for Android. $5/month isnt that bad for unlimited. So far I've had very very few spam calls on it.

If you can, go thru the steps you make to do $5 a month. I’m doing something wrong......I think.