If you're visiting the United States from abroad or even reentering as a U.S. resident, it could be a smart move to bring a burner phone — a temporary device that doesn't contain your personal data or messages.
This is due to growing concerns that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are inspecting travelers’ phones. Reports have surfaced of travelers being questioned, denied entry, or having their devices confiscated based on opinions found in their messages. In one notable case, a French scientist was reportedly turned away after CBP found messages critical of the Trump administration on his phone. It's still unclear how common these searches are or whether there are other reasons people are being stopped.
Even outside of travel, burner phones can be useful for avoiding spam calls or staying focused by cutting down on notifications. Comedian Conan O'Brien, for example, praised his burner phone for helping him stay distraction-free.
Burner phones — prepaid, no-contract devices — became widely recognized from the HBO show *The Wire*, where they were used to avoid surveillance. However, using one isn’t just for criminals. With rising privacy concerns, more people are turning to them for peace of mind.
What Is a Burner Phone?
A burner phone is a low-cost, prepaid phone you can use temporarily and dispose of when you're done. It comes with a set amount of minutes, texts, or data, and doesn’t require a contract or personal information. These phones are appealing for anyone looking to stay anonymous or avoid long-term commitments.
Why Consider Using One?
There are a few reasons you might want a burner phone:
Avoiding spam or robocalls
Keeping your main number private
Reducing digital distractions
Using a backup number for two-factor authentication or business
Avoiding high roaming fees when traveling
Protecting privacy
You don’t have to throw it out after use — you can keep adding minutes and continue using it as a regular phone, just without the usual hassle of contracts.
Burners vs. Prepaid Phones vs. Burner SIMs
Burner phones are typically basic models like flip phones. All burners are prepaid, but not all prepaid phones are burners. What makes a burner unique is that you don’t need to give personal information to get one, and it's cheap enough to dispose of if needed.
Prepaid smartphones offer more features but may still require some personal details. You can also just buy a prepaid SIM (also called a burner SIM) and use it with any unlocked phone — another option for staying anonymous.
Where to Buy One
Burner phones are easy to find. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, 7-Eleven, and Rite Aid carry them. You can also buy them at gas stations and phone stores like Cricket or Metro. Prices typically range from $10 to $50, depending on the included data and minutes.
For maximum privacy, it's best to pay with cash, though credit cards are fine if anonymity isn’t a concern. There are also apps like Burner or Google Fi that offer temporary numbers, but these still collect some of your personal info.
If you're just after an affordable, no-contract phone, check out guides for the best prepaid or budget-friendly phone plans.
