2ndLine - Second Phone Number

2ndLine provides a secondary phone number featuring a selectable US area code, allowing users to make and receive calls and messages on a number distinct from their primary phone service. During account creation, users choose from various US area codes, effectively selecting the geographic identity their second number presents. This flexibility benefits users who want local presence in multiple regions, maintain separate professional and personal lines, or present a particular calling identity to specific contacts.

The app supports calling and texting to the United States and Canada as core features. Beyond North America, 2ndLine offers international calling to more than 230 countries, with rates starting below $0.01 USD per minute. This extensive international coverage makes the service practical for users maintaining connections across multiple regions, whether for business or personal reasons. The pricing structure is pay-as-you-go rather than subscription-based for international calls, allowing users to control costs and avoid ongoing commitments.

Messaging on 2ndLine encompasses several formats. Standard text messaging forms the foundation, complemented by picture messaging and video messaging capabilities. These options provide flexibility in how users communicate through their secondary number, whether sharing quick text updates or richer media content. When incoming calls arrive, the app displays caller ID information. A Quick Reply feature allows users to send text responses directly from the incoming call interface without fully opening the messaging application, letting them quickly respond when an immediate answer isn't possible.

The app integrates into the device experience through multiple access points. A home screen widget provides quick access to calling and messaging functions, reducing the need to launch the full application repeatedly. More significantly, 2ndLine can be configured as the device's default phone dialer, meaning calls initiated through the system's standard dialer application will route through the secondary number rather than the primary service. This level of integration allows the second line to function as a primary communication channel, letting users treat it as a main phone number while maintaining their original service.

Customization options extend throughout the app's notification and interface layers. Users can set distinct text message notification tones for incoming messages to the secondary number, ensuring they hear a unique sound when texts arrive on this line. Call ringtones can similarly be customized, allowing users to distinguish incoming calls on the secondary number from calls on their primary line through audio cues alone. Vibration patterns can be configured independently, providing tactile feedback that differs from the device's standard patterns. Phone backgrounds within the app interface are customizable as well, allowing visual distinction between the secondary line and the primary phone's appearance. These cumulative customizations enable users to quickly identify which line is receiving communication through multiple sensory cues.

Call management includes comprehensive history and contact integration. All incoming and outgoing calls are recorded in the app's call history, with specific tools to review and manage missed calls separately. The app integrates with the device's contact system, displaying saved names and contact information during calls and messaging. Message history automatically syncs across devices, ensuring conversations remain accessible when switching phones or accessing the service from multiple devices. Call logs also participate in this synchronization, maintaining continuity in communication records regardless of which device is used.

The service operates on a free model supported by in-app advertising. Users can purchase a subscription to remove advertisements, though specific pricing and renewal terms are not detailed. TextNow Inc., the company developing the service, is a telecommunications provider that specializes in flexible phone number solutions and calling infrastructure.