I need to keep using an iPhone for work, but I'd rather not have a full-featured smartphone around my child at home. I'm considering a simpler phone and would like to use the same number for calls and texts on both devices. Is there a practical way to do this, such as a second SIM, carrier feature, Google Voice, or another service?
4 Answers
It may be worth asking your employer to provide or reimburse a separate work phone if the work number is the main reason you need two devices. A basic phone can also be less convenient than expected for texting, especially if it uses old-style multi-tap typing.
Some carriers offer multi-SIM or number-sharing plans, but support depends heavily on the country and carrier. With certain setups, only one phone can be active at a time, so it may not be a seamless experience on both devices.
Google Voice can give you one number that works across multiple phones, though it relies on data or Wi-Fi and may not behave exactly like a normal mobile number for every type of text or call.
A VoIP service is another option, but costs and reliability vary. Check whether it supports SMS and whether your important accounts will accept the number for verification.
That’s fair—I’m mainly trying to reduce distractions at home, so I’ll compare a carrier number-sharing plan with a separate work device.