A second line for vetted calls: eSIM in ten minutes

Why a second line

Your real number forwards every call to PhoneShield. When a call passes the front desk, PhoneShield has to ring you somewhere, and it cannot ring the number that is forwarding, because that would loop straight back. So vetted calls land on a second line: any spare number, or a cheap eSIM on the same phone.

The second line only ever receives calls from PhoneShield, with a short whisper naming the caller. Nobody else knows it. It needs talk and text, not data, so the cheapest plan a carrier sells is enough.

Pick a plan

Any carrier that sells an eSIM works. These four are inexpensive, activate in minutes, and do not need a store visit. Prices are the carrier's starting prices, checked September 28, 2026; PhoneShield has no arrangement with any of them.

Your phone needs to support two lines at once: any iPhone from the XS (2018) on, and most Android phones from 2020 on. In the checkout, choose eSIM rather than a mailed SIM card, and choose a new number rather than transferring one.

Add the eSIM on iPhone

1. Finish the carrier's checkout on the phone itself. Most carriers then show an Install eSIM or Activate button; tap it and iPhone opens the installer.
2. If you were sent a QR code instead, open Settings, tap Cellular, tap Add eSIM, then Use QR Code and point the camera at it.
3. When asked which line to use by default, keep your existing number as the default for calls, texts and data. The new line only needs to receive calls.
4. Wait for the new line to show signal bars in the status bar. It usually takes under a minute.

Add the eSIM on Android

1. Open Settings, tap Network & internet (Samsung: Connections), then SIMs or SIM manager.
2. Tap Add eSIM or Add mobile plan, then scan the carrier's QR code or use the carrier's app.
3. Keep your existing SIM as the default for calls and data.

Label the lines

Give the new line a name you will recognise, such as PhoneShield. On iPhone: Settings, Cellular, tap the line, Cellular Plan Label. On Android the name field is in the same SIM screen. When a vetted call arrives, your phone shows that label, so you always know it came through the shield.

Find the new number in the same screen; you will need it in the next step.

Tell PhoneShield

1. Open Screening and enter the new number under Ring me at.
2. Press Verify by calling it with a code. PhoneShield calls the new line, reads four digits, and you type them in.
3. Then forward your real number and run the forwarding test.