Disposable number
Definition
A phone number meant to be used briefly and thrown away, so your personal number stays private.
Disposable number, explained
A disposable number is a phone number you intend to use briefly and then abandon. The idea is the same as a disposable email address: give a site something that works for the moment without exposing your real contact details. In practice the term overlaps with temporary numbers and burner numbers. The main differences are in how long you keep it and what it can do. Some disposable numbers handle calls and texts for weeks; others, like Noir SMS numbers, only receive SMS for a single verification. Whatever the type, use it only for your own legitimate accounts and do not leave it as the only recovery method.
Related terms
Temporary phone number
A number you use for a short time, often one verification, before it is returned to the provider and reassigned.
Burner number
A second, discardable phone number for calls and texts, usually from a burner or second-line app.
Number recycling
When a phone number that someone stopped using is reassigned to a new subscriber or user.