If you plan to travel internationally, consider obtaining a “burner phone,” especially before entering the U.S. This advice comes from reports indicating that officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection have become increasingly thorough in inspecting travelers’ personal electronic devices.
businesses outside the US
are now recommending that their staff members utilize disposable phones to protect private and confidential data.
However, a burner phone isn’t solely used for crossing borders. A device without all your personal data or with a more straightforward interface can be incredibly useful, like reducing unwanted calls or minimizing distractions. This holds true particularly for comedians looking for simplicity and functionality.
Conan O’Brien recently expressed appreciation for his flip phone.
To avoid getting overwhelmed by immediate messages and alerts.
Read more:
Top Prepaid Phone for 2025
Although carriers have offered
prepaid phones
Since the ’90s, the phrase “burner phones” or simply “burners” gained popularity in the 2000s because of its frequent mention in the acclaimed HBO show.
The Wire
In this scenario, characters utilize burner phones to evade detection by law enforcement. While these devices are frequently associated with criminal activities, they aren’t exclusive to them. Given increasing worries about privacy, you may find it worthwhile to use a burner phone for your own purposes.
What precisely constitutes a burner phone and how does it function? In the section below, we will clarify all aspects of using burners along with instructions on obtaining one.
What does the term “burner phone” refer to?
In simple terms, a burner phone is an inexpensive prepaid device without any contracts. This type of phone includes a predetermined amount of prepaid talk time, texts, or data and is intended to be discarded once used up.
Burner phones operate without contracts, and they can easily be picked up from the counter. These devices are referred to as ‘burner’ phones due to their disposable nature; once used, they can be discarded without being linked back to the user, making them attractive for those engaging in illicit activities. People often turn to these phones when immediate communication is needed but with no plan for extended use.
Burners differ from obtaining a standard one.
contract-bound cellphone plans
That necessitates having a substantial amount of your details stored in their files.
What reasons might someone have for using a disposable cell phone?
Disposable cellphones offer a simple method to bypass bothersome mobile service agreements or unwanted calls on your main phone number. Since these temporary devices aren’t connected to your personal information, they allow you to prevent being monitored or reached should that be necessary for you.
Nevertheless, you don’t need to throw it away after usage — you can simply add more minutes and keep using it. These disposable phones can operate like standard cellphones, without the inconvenience of committing to a contractual plan.
You might opt for getting a disposable mobile device as an additional handset for particular needs, such as using another phone number for receiving two-factor authentication messages, conducting business activities, or circumventing direct contact.
roaming charges while traveling
You might acquire a disposable cellphone for various privacy concerns you could have.
Read more
:
Data Privacy Tips That Top Digital Security Experts Hope You Know
Disposable phones, pre-paid devices, smart handsets, and temporary SIM cards: How do they differ?
Prepaid mobiles are generally inexpensive basic devices and often lack the advanced features found in smartphones. Since they’re meant to be affordable and replaceable, you’ll find only fundamental functions along with quite straightforward designs.
flip phone
Is frequently seen in the realm of burner phones.
Every burner phone is a prepaid device, yet not every prepaid phone qualifies as a burner. The distinguishing feature of a burner is that you do not need to provide any personal details to acquire one, nor can it be traced back to you. Additionally, it should be inexpensive enough for disposal following usage.
Prepaid smartphones typically come as basic devices, while burner phones represent the most affordable options within this category. Nonetheless, you have the option to utilize an unlocked smartphone with prepaid SIM cards, effectively turning it into a prepaid device.
If you’re looking for a burner, you don’t always need to purchase a new phone. Instead, you could obtain a burner SIM card and utilize it with your current device. These burner SIM cards are prepaid options available without requiring a contract or sharing personal data.
Where might one purchase a disposable cellphone?
Disposable cellphones can be found at every major retailer such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. Additionally, they are commonly sold at small shops including 7-Eleven and Rite Aid, neighborhood grocery stores, fueling stations, along with mobile service providers like Cricket and Metro among others.
You can acquire an anonymous prepaid phone using cash; these usually range from $10 to $50. The price might be higher depending on the number of minutes and data included. If your aim for obtaining this type of device is to prevent tracking back to yourself, paying in cash rather than with a credit card would be wiser.
If your aim is simply to get a prepaid backup phone, you have the option of purchasing one using a credit card. Keep in mind that this method creates a record traceable back to you; however, it typically isn’t a problem unless absolute anonymity from the burner phone is crucial to you.
There are also many apps that let you get secondary phone numbers, including Google Fi and the Burner app. However, these cannot quite be called burners in the ideal sense, because these providers will typically have at least some of your personal information.
If your aim is simply to acquire a reliable prepaid phone without concerns about anonymity, you can refer to our comprehensive guide for more details.
top prepaid mobile plans offered right now
We also provide a guide for the
best cheap phone plans you can get
.
First published on May 1, 2025 at 11:22 a.m. PT.
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