I’m eligible for the US Lifeline program to get a phone number for free. I would use it on websites that require a phone number, like Discord, which doesn’t accept numbers on services like Google Voice, and replace my personal phone number with it wherever necessary. And I would start using my personal phone number only with friends and family. I would NOT be using a provided lifeline phone, but rather a sim on my iPhone.

    • solrize@lemmy.world
      3·
      8 months ago

      In the US (OP’s post was somewhat US-specific), I haven’t had trouble paying cash for prepaid sim cards. Those services tend to be on the expensive side, but I suppose you don’t have to keep the number active after your Discord signup.

    • Hatch@lemmy.ml
      1·
      8 months ago

      I would have suggested silent.link , while you can get a number not tied to your identity via esim, the main focus of numbers is a receiver for text and calls(also because it avoid people creating spam phone calls/txt). Which was originally for 2fa that only had cell # as an option. Also a number requires the user to be vigilant in paying their annual for it or they can lose the number. Also I think they can only cater for users in US, Canada and maybe UK.