WhatsApp is a godsend when it comes to messaging apps. With a clean and user-friendly interface, people learn to use it easily even if they are technologically challenged. However, it has one significant drawback – you cannot connect with people without revealing your mobile number. Now that’s a bum. Sometimes you need to chat with people but don’t want to share the number. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 5 apps that let you chat with people without revealing your phone number.
Some apps may ask you for your phone number for registration. However, you won’t need other people’s phone numbers to chat with them. All the apps on this list are free and work on major platforms.
Let’s take a look at the messaging apps that work without sharing a phone number.
1. Skype
One of the oldest video chat applications that came to our rescue in this scenario is the Skype application. You can chat with others individually or create a group. The app also supports basic voice calls. Use the Skype name found at the bottom of your profile to chat with others. Share the same with strangers so they can add you on Skype. Learn more about what a Skype Name (or live ID) is and how to add contacts using Skype.
Skype has a familiar user-friendly interface. You can liven up your conversations using GIFs, stickers and mojis (movie clips), along with cool animated stickers. Apart from that, Skype can be used to share photos, videos, files, contacts and location. You can even schedule your searches and create polls. There’s even a Lite app for Android. Find out how Skype Lite differs from the main app. Skype is available on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web. If you don’t like the Skype app, you can delete your Skype account.
2. Telegram
Next, we have the Telegram messaging app. You will be asked for your phone number for registration. Your contacts will only see you through your mobile number, just like WhatsApp. However, if you want to chat with strangers without sharing your mobile number, you need to create a public username by going to Telegram Settings.
Share the username directly with others or send them a t.me/username link where you need to replace the username term with your username. In the latter case, the Telegram app will automatically open with your chat thread. In the first case, the recipient has to use Telegram search to search for your username. As you can imagine, if a random person finds your username through a search, they can send you a message. However, your number will not be shared.
Telegram is known to be a secure messaging app. You can create channels and groups with 200,000 members in Telegram. It even supports bots and lets you send large videos (in GB) and other file types. Recently, they have also added support for video calls. Telegram is available on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac and the web.
3. Dispute
If you’re looking for something different than regular chat apps, try Discord. Developed primarily for games, Discord supports private and organized text and audio channels. Such features play an important role in making it unique.
If you have a Discord server, you can add bots to it, from games to music to server management. Check out the 5 best music bots for Discord. Discord works on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux and the web. Find out how Discord differs from Telegram, Twitch and Skype. Conflict can be intimidating for beginners. Read about its features and how to use it.
LINE 4: Free Calls and Messages
Another application that allows you to chat without a phone number is LINE. Similar to Telegram, username is an optional feature in this app. You have to create it manually by going to Settings > Profile > User ID. If no user ID has been created, people in your contacts can add you with your number.
LINE supports up to 200 members in a group. Other features include polls, the ability to share any type of file, and audio and video calls. If you like face filters, LINE offers similar things, including a game. LINE also works on various platforms.
5. Kik
Similar to other apps, Kik supports both individual and group calls. What makes Kik more exciting are the public groups. Apart from that, bots also work on Kik.
Share photos, videos, GIFs, etc. with your friends, which you can find by phone number, username and Kik code. you can share. The only downside is that Kik only works on Android and iOS. You cannot use it on desktop.
Remote Calls
The above apps work best for personal use and only a few offer a few security features for your messages. Like Telegram offers a Secret Chat option for short-lived messaging. If you’re looking for messaging apps that work without a business phone number, you should try apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and more.
While Facebook Messenger can be used to chat without sharing numbers, Facebook can expose your profile. Hopefully WhatsApp will at least offer usernames for the Business app.
Next: Looking for an alternative to the Zoom app? Check out 7 great Zoom alternatives for remote meetings on the next link.
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