Need a second phone number but don't want to carry around another phone? Or maybe you're travelling, working remotely, moving abroad, running a small business, or just tired of giving your personal number to everyone who asks for it. That's where a virtual phone number comes in. Unlike a traditional mobile number, a virtual number doesn't need to be tied to a physical SIM card. You can use it for calls, SMS, business communication and, depending on the service, verification messages - all through an app or online platform.
What Is a Virtual Phone Number?
A virtual phone number is a phone number that works without a traditional physical SIM card. Instead of putting a SIM into your phone, the number is managed digitally through an app or online service. With Cooee, for example, you can get a local number from supported countries and use it through the Cooee eSIM app for calls and SMS wherever you have an internet connection.
Think of it as having another phone number without needing another phone. Your existing mobile number can stay exactly as it is, while your virtual number handles your calls, texts or other communication.
Virtual Phone Number vs. Traditional Phone Number
So what's the actual difference?
| Traditional Phone Number | Virtual Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Usually linked to a SIM | Doesn't require a physical SIM |
| Often tied to a mobile carrier | Managed through an app or online service |
| Can require another SIM when travelling | Can be used internationally with internet access |
| Usually tied to one mobile setup | Can offer multiple numbers through one account |
| Physical SIM may need to be changed | No SIM swapping for the virtual number |
Why Would You Need a Virtual Phone Number?
Honestly, there are plenty of reasons. Maybe you're moving overseas but still need a number from your home country. Maybe you're travelling and don't want to pay expensive roaming charges just to stay reachable. Or perhaps you're running a small business and don't want customers calling your personal number at all hours. virtual number can also be useful for remote workers, freelancers, international students, expats and anyone who regularly deals with people in another country.
The basic idea is simple: you get another number without having to get another phone.
Who Is a Virtual Phone Number Actually For?
Pretty much anyone who needs another number without wanting another phone. That could be an expat keeping a home-country number, a traveller trying to avoid roaming headaches, a freelancer separating work from personal calls, a small business owner setting up a dedicated business line, or a remote worker who needs to stay reachable across borders.
You don't need a complicated business phone system or a drawer full of SIM cards. Sometimes, you just need another number that works anywhere.
What Can You Actually Do With a Virtual Phone Number?
This is where things get more interesting. A virtual phone number isn't just something that sits there looking nice on your account. Depending on the provider and the number you choose, you can use it for many of the same everyday things you'd use a regular mobile number for.
Make and Receive Calls
You can use your virtual number to make and receive calls without relying on a physical SIM card. With Cooee, calls are handled through the app, so you can keep using your virtual number while travelling or living abroad as long as you have an internet connection. Cooee also includes a web dialer, so you can make calls from your browser.
That can be particularly handy if your work involves making calls from a laptop rather than sitting next to your phone all day, anywhere.
Send and Receive SMS
Need to receive a text without using your personal number? A virtual phone number can handle SMS too. Cooee supports inbound and outbound SMS, including supported verification and OTP messages, depending on the number and service requirements. So instead of constantly wondering whether you'll still receive an important message while travelling, you can keep your virtual number active through the app.
Keep a Local Number While Living Abroad
This is one of the biggest reasons people look for a virtual phone number overseas. Let's say you move from Australia to the UK but still need an Australian number. Getting a completely new local setup isn't always convenient, especially if you still have banks, customers, friends or other contacts using your old number. A virtual number can give you a way to maintain a local number while you're outside the country.
With Cooee, you can manage numbers from supported countries through the same app rather than carrying a collection of SIM cards around.
For Business
If you're running a small business, freelancer operation or side hustle, giving customers your personal mobile number isn't always ideal. A virtual business phone number gives you a separate line for work calls and messages without requiring another handset. You could use it for customer enquiries, business contacts, online listings or simply to keep your work and personal communication separate.
And if you need more than one number, Cooee supports multiple numbers through its plans, making it possible to manage different numbers from one account.
While Travelling
This is probably where virtual phone numbers make the most sense. You're travelling overseas. Your normal SIM is still in your phone, but roaming costs are climbing and you don't want to start swapping SIM cards every time you land somewhere new.
With a virtual number, your number can stay accessible through an app while you're abroad, provided you have an internet connection.
Cooee is designed around this exact use case, allowing supported local numbers to remain active while you travel without needing a physical SIM for the number. No tiny SIM card to lose at the airport. Always a win.
How to Get a Virtual Phone Number
Getting a virtual phone number is usually much simpler than setting up a traditional mobile line.
With Cooee, you start by choosing the country and available number you want. You then select a plan, complete payment and follow the identity verification process required for the selected country. Once your account is activated, you can start using your number through the Cooee app.
The exact setup can vary depending on the country and provider, so it's worth checking what calling, SMS and verification features are actually supported before choosing a number.
The Bottom Line
A virtual phone number is basically a simpler way to get another phone line without getting another phone. You can use one for calls, SMS, business communication, travelling, staying connected to another country and, where supported, receiving verification messages.
With Cooee, you can get supported local numbers through the Cooee eSIM app, manage calls and SMS, use the web dialer and keep your number with you while you travel. So if your current phone number is trying to do everything - personal calls, work calls, international contacts and random sign-ups - maybe it doesn't need to.
Sometimes, the easiest solution is simply getting another number.
