Block your number for a single call or all calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling in two ways: block it for just one call, or block it for every call you make. The method depends on your phone type and your carrier.

Blocking for a single call takes seconds and works on any phone. Blocking for all calls requires a setting change in your phone or a request to your carrier, and some carriers charge a monthly fee. Most people use the single-call method when they want privacy for one conversation, and the all-calls method when they do not want their number showing up on any outgoing calls.

Key Takeaways

  • On any phone, dial *67 before the number to hide your caller ID for that one call only.
  • iPhone users can turn on "Show My Caller ID" toggle in Settings > Phone to block their number on every call; Android users find this in Settings > Calls or Settings > Phone.
  • Some carriers charge $2 to $5 per month to block your number on all outgoing calls, while the *67 method is always free.
  • The person you call may still see your number if they have a service that unblocks private numbers, or if you call a business with special equipment.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing it — 911 calls always show your location and number to dispatchers.

Use *67 to block your number on a single call

The easiest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 before you dial the person's number. This works on landlines, iPhones, Android phones, and most carriers in the United States.

The steps are straightforward: open your phone's dialer, type *67, then type the full phone number you want to call (including the area code), and press call. The person will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown Caller" instead of your phone number. After the call ends, your number returns to normal — the next call you make will show your number unless you dial *67 again.

This method is free and works every time, even if you do not have a plan with your carrier that blocks your number. It also works internationally on some calls, though the code may be different depending on the country you are calling from.

Turn off "Show My Caller ID" on iPhone

If you want your number blocked on every call you make from an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turn the toggle off. Your number will now appear as "Private Number" or "Blocked" on every outgoing call.

To turn it back on, open the same menu and toggle it on again. This setting stays in place until you change it, so you do not have to reset it after each call. If you want to show your number on just one call while this setting is off, you can dial *82 before the number — this temporarily overrides the block for that single call.

Turn off "Show My Caller ID" on Android

Android phones store this setting in different places depending on the manufacturer and your version of Android. Most commonly, go to Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID and select "Hide Number." On some Samsung phones, the path is Settings > Phone > More Settings > Caller ID. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Caller ID.

If you cannot find the setting in those locations, search your phone's Settings app for "caller ID" — the search function will take you directly to the right menu. Once you turn off caller ID, your number will be blocked on all outgoing calls until you turn the setting back on.

Request permanent blocking through your carrier

If your phone does not have a built-in caller ID block setting, or if you prefer to have your carrier manage it, you can call your phone company and request that they block your number on all outgoing calls. This service is sometimes called "Anonymous Call Rejection" or "Caller ID Blocking."

Most carriers offer this for $2 to $5 per month, though some offer it free. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your bill or on their website) and ask whether they offer caller ID blocking and what it costs. They will walk you through enabling it on your account. You can usually turn it on or off by calling them again, or through your online account.

Know when blocking does not work

Blocking your number does not work in every situation. Some businesses, hospitals, and government offices have equipment that unblocks private numbers — they will still see your real number even if you used *67 or turned off your caller ID. Emergency services (911) always receive your real number and location, regardless of whether you tried to block it.

Some people also subscribe to services that reveal blocked numbers. These services are less common than they used to be, but they do exist. If someone has paid for a service to unblock private numbers, they may see your real number even though you blocked it. There is no way to prevent this completely.

If you call a business and they ask for your number, they may require it before they will help you — blocking your number does not prevent them from asking. In those cases, you have the choice to give your real number, hang up, or call back without blocking.

Understand the difference between blocking and spoofing

Blocking your number (showing "Private Number" or "Blocked") is legal and free. Spoofing — making your call appear to come from a different number than the one you are actually calling from — is illegal under federal law unless you have a legitimate business reason, like a company calling from a main line instead of an individual extension.

If you use an app or service that makes your call look like it is coming from someone else's number, or from a fake number, you are breaking the law. Stick to blocking your real number with *67 or your phone's built-in settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones and carriers?

*67 works on nearly all phones in the United States, including landlines, iPhones, and Android phones. It works with every major carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) and most smaller carriers. If it does not work on your phone, your carrier may not support it — call them to ask whether they offer caller ID blocking instead.

Can I block my number when calling internationally?

*67 works on some international calls, but not all. The code varies by country — some countries use *31# instead of *67. Before traveling, check with your carrier about how to block your number in the country you are calling. Some countries do not allow caller ID blocking at all.

What if someone calls me back after I blocked my number?

If you called someone with your number blocked and they try to call you back, they cannot reach you because they do not have your number. If you want them to be able to reach you, you will need to call them again without blocking, or give them your number another way.

Will blocking my number prevent spam filters from blocking me?

No. Spam filters look at many things besides your number — the time of day you call, how many calls you make, whether the number is registered, and patterns in your calling. Blocking your number may actually make you more likely to be flagged as spam because legitimate callers usually show their number.

Can I block my number on a three-way call or conference call?

If you use *67 to start a three-way call, your number stays blocked for the entire call. If you turn off caller ID in your phone settings, it applies to all calls including conference calls. The other people on the call will see "Private Number" or "Blocked" instead of your number.