How to Make a Free Phone Call

No phone? No quarter? Once upon a time, all you needed was the ability to relay your message in 5 seconds via placing a collect call and you could hack a payphone to make a free phone call. 

Since the age of the smartphone, we’ve needed to get craftier about calling friends on a budget. If you’re out of minutes, don’t want to use your primary number, or want to avoid international rates, in 2026, there are more ways than ever to make a free phone call. Here are just a few. 

Use WiFi Calling Through Apps

Take advantage of internet-based phone apps to make free calls using Wi-Fi. There are a number of messaging apps that allow voice and video calls between users with the only catch being that both will need to be on the same platform. 

This is an easy fix for friends and family who need a quick check-in. As long as you have internet access, then you can call for free. The main downside of this option is that anyone you need to contact without knowing personally, like a delivery driver or a business, likely isn’t going to have a public-facing account on the platform. 

Take Advantage of Free Trials

Some calling apps will offer free trials that include actual phone numbers and calling minutes. This is an easy and legitimate way to make free phone calls without using your personal line. 

Hushed is one such company through which new iPhone users can access free trials to test out a real phone number and place calls directly from the app via Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Just like a regular line, Hushed’s free trial lets you call businesses, verify accounts with multi factor authentication, or reach anyone you need to with an app-based service. 

It’s great for testing a number without the long term commitment. 

Bundle with a Data Plan

Getting a free phone number as part of a bundle is another lesser known option. Hushed partners with aloSIM to provide a number along eSIM data plans. This is a practical way to unlock calls without paying extra if you’re already purchasing travel data.  It’s extra useful for travelling abroad to save you from high roaming rates — just use your data connection provided by your travel eSIM and place calls through the Hushed app.

Borrow a Phone

A classic “no-brainer,” if you’re truly stuck you can ask to borrow someone else’s phone. Though it might be an awkward ask of a stranger (okay super awkward), some people will help in a genuine situation if you keep it brief, explain clearly what you need, and respect their time. 

Ultimately, however, it’s not a scalable choice and certainly not ideal for privacy. Use this one as a last resort. 

Last Resort: Find a Free Payphone 

Even though it feels like a fairytale from long ago, there might still be the rare payphone in some cities (though finding one that actually works will feel like winning a lottery). If you do stumble across one, and it happens to have change left in it, it counts as a free call. 

Realistically, this isn’t the most dependable plan and if you find yourself frequently needing free or low-cost calls, relying on luck isn’t sustainable. 

While free phone calls are possible, the key is knowing which method works for your situation and having a backup ready before you actually need it.