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Hide Your Number When Calling: A Simple Guide

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This guide explains how to hide your phone number when making outgoing calls, so the person you call sees “Private,” “Blocked,” or “No Caller ID” instead of your actual number. You can do this with a simple code, through your phone settings, or by contacting your carrier. Here’s what you need to know before you start.

What You’ll Need

  • Your phone (smartphone or basic phone).
  • Your phone number and carrier (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.).
  • Access to your phone’s dialer or settings menu.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Use a Call Blocking Code

  1. Open your phone’s dialer app (the app you use to type phone numbers).
  2. Dial *67 before the full phone number you want to call. For example, to call (555) 123-4567, you would dial *675551234567.
  3. Press the call button. Your number will appear as “Private” or “Blocked” on the recipient’s caller ID for that single call only.
  4. Repeat this process for every call you want to hide. This method works on most landlines and mobile networks in the U.S. and Canada.

Method 2: Change Your Phone Settings (iPhone)

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Phone.
  3. Tap Show My Caller ID.
  4. Toggle the switch to Off. Your number will now be hidden on all outgoing calls.
  5. To unhide it later, simply toggle the switch back to On.

Method 3: Change Your Phone Settings (Android)

  1. Open the Phone app (the app you use to make calls).
  2. Tap the three-dot menu (usually in the top right corner) or the More option.
  3. Select Settings or Call Settings.
  4. Look for Caller ID or Additional Settings (this may be under “Calls” or “Supplementary services”).
  5. Tap Caller ID and choose Hide number or Network default (then select “Hide”).
  6. Your number will now be hidden on all outgoing calls. To revert, go back and select Show number.

Method 4: Contact Your Carrier

  1. Call your mobile carrier’s customer service number (e.g., 611 from your phone).
  2. Ask the representative to enable “Caller ID blocking” or “Line blocking” on your account.
  3. They may ask for verification of your identity. Once enabled, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls.
  4. Note that some carriers may charge a fee for this service, and it may not be available on all plans.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the *67 prefix: If you dial *67 but forget to include the area code and full number, the call won’t connect. Ensure you dial *67 immediately followed by the complete 10-digit number (for U.S. calls).
  • Assuming it works for all calls: *67 and caller ID blocking do not work when calling toll-free numbers (e.g., 1-800 numbers), emergency services (911), or some business lines that block private numbers.
  • Not checking your settings: On some Android phones, the “Hide number” option may be under a submenu like “Additional settings” or “Supplementary services.” If you can’t find it, search your phone’s settings for “Caller ID.”
  • Using *67 on a phone that already has permanent blocking: If you have already set your phone to hide your number, dialing *67 is redundant, but it won’t cause problems.

Tips

  • Test before you rely on it: Call a friend or a second phone to confirm that your number appears as “Private” or “Blocked” before making an important call.
  • Know when to unblock: If you frequently need to hide your number, consider using *67 for specific calls rather than changing your global settings, so you don’t accidentally hide your number when calling your bank or doctor (who might not answer private numbers).
  • Check with your carrier: Some carriers allow you to hide your number by default through their website or app, even if your phone doesn’t have that option in its settings.
  • Remember it’s not untraceable: Caller ID blocking only hides your number from the recipient. Phone companies and law enforcement can still trace the call if necessary.

Troubleshooting

  • Your number still shows after using *67: This can happen if you are calling a number that doesn’t support caller ID blocking (like some toll-free numbers) or if your carrier doesn’t support *67. Try using your phone’s settings method instead.
  • The “Show My Caller ID” toggle is grayed out: This usually means your carrier has disabled the option. Contact your carrier to ask if they can enable it for you.
  • You can’t find the “Caller ID” setting on Android: The location varies by phone manufacturer and Android version. Search your phone’s settings for “Caller ID” or “Hide number.” If you can’t find it, try dialing *#31# (on many networks) to check your current status, or contact your carrier for guidance.
  • Your number is still visible when calling internationally: *67 and caller ID settings may not work for international calls. Check with your carrier for international caller ID blocking options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones?

Yes, *67 generally works on most landlines and mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada. However, some carriers or VoIP services may not support it.

Will my number be hidden when I call 911?

No. Emergency services (911) always receive your phone number and location for safety reasons, regardless of any caller ID blocking.

Can I hide my number on WhatsApp or other messaging apps?

No, this guide is for traditional phone calls. WhatsApp and other apps have their own privacy settings, but they usually show your phone number to people you chat with.

How do I unblock my number after using *67?

*67 only affects the single call you make. Your number will be visible on the next call you make without *67. If you changed your phone settings, just go back and toggle the “Show My Caller ID” option back on.

Is hiding my number legal?

Yes, it is legal in most places, but it is illegal to use caller ID spoofing to commit fraud or harass someone. Hiding your number for legitimate privacy reasons is generally fine.

Will the recipient know I’m calling from a private number?

Yes, they will see “Private,” “Blocked,” “Unknown,” or “No Caller ID” on their screen. Some people may not answer calls from private numbers.

Related

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