Block your number on a single call or all calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling in two ways: block it for one call only, or block it for all outgoing calls until you turn the setting off. The method depends on your phone type and whether your carrier supports the feature. Most carriers do, but some prepaid plans and older phone services may not.

The simplest approach is to block your number on individual calls using a code before you dial. This works on nearly every phone and carrier. If you want your number hidden for all calls you make, you can turn on a permanent setting in your phone's call settings, though this requires your carrier to support it.

Blocking your number is different from blocking incoming calls. When you block your outgoing number, the person receiving your call sees "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your phone number. They can still answer, but they will not know who is calling until you tell them.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number on any call to hide your number for that call only, and this works on most landlines and cell phones.
  • Some carriers let you hide your number on all outgoing calls through your phone settings or your carrier's website, though this requires you to turn it off to show your number again.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the call from going through — the person can still answer, they just will not see your number.
  • Emergency calls to 911 will always show your number to dispatchers, even if you have blocking turned on.

Use *67 to block your number on a single call

The fastest way to hide your number on one call is to dial *67 when ready before the phone number. On most phones, you dial it like this: *67, then the area code and number. Press call. The recipient will see "Unknown" or "Private" instead of your number.

This works on most landlines and cell phones in the United States, regardless of your carrier. It costs nothing extra. If the call does not go through or the number still shows, your carrier may not support the feature, or you may need to check your phone's dialing format — some phones require you to pause between *67 and the number.

The block applies only to that single call. The next call you make will show your number normally unless you dial *67 again. This is useful if you want to keep your number private for one conversation but do not want to change your settings permanently.

Hide your number on all outgoing calls through your phone settings

If you want your number blocked on every call you make, you can turn on a setting in your phone. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID. Turn off the toggle. On an Android phone, open the Phone app, tap the three-line menu, go to Settings, then Call Settings, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID. Select "Hide number."

These settings work only if your carrier supports caller ID blocking. Most major carriers do, but some prepaid plans, regional carriers, and older phone services do not. If you turn on the setting and your number still shows, contact your carrier to ask whether they offer this feature.

Once you turn on this setting, your number will be hidden on all calls until you turn it off again. You will need to go back into the same menu and toggle it back on to show your number for future calls. This is a permanent change to your outgoing calls, not a one-time block.

Block your number through your carrier's website or customer service

Some carriers let you manage caller ID blocking through their website or by calling customer service. This is useful if your phone settings do not have the option or if you want to confirm your carrier supports it before trying.

Contact your carrier directly — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or your prepaid provider — and ask whether they offer caller ID blocking or anonymous call blocking. They can turn it on for you over the phone or walk you through the steps on their website. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for this service, though many include it free.

If you use a landline, your carrier's website or customer service line is often the only way to set up number blocking. Landline phones do not have the same settings menus as cell phones, so you will need to contact your provider directly.

Know what happens when you block your number

When you block your number, the person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" on their phone instead of your number. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. Some people may not answer calls from unknown numbers, so blocking your number might increase the chance they do not pick up.

Blocking your number does not hide your identity from law enforcement or emergency services. If you call 911, your number will always show to the dispatcher, even if you have blocking turned on. Some businesses and government offices also have systems that can see your real number even when it is blocked.

If you block your number and then call the same person repeatedly, they may become suspicious or annoyed. Blocking your number is most useful for one-time calls or situations where you have a legitimate reason to keep your number private, not for ongoing contact with someone.

Unblock your number if calls are not going through

Some businesses, government offices, and automated systems will not accept calls from blocked numbers. If you are trying to reach a doctor's office, bank, or government agency and your call keeps dropping or going to a busy signal, try unblocking your number for that call.

To unblock a single call, dial *82 before the phone number instead of *67. This tells the system to show your number for that call only. If you have number blocking turned on permanently in your phone settings, turn it off temporarily, make the call, and turn it back on afterward.

If a business tells you they cannot receive calls from blocked numbers, you will need to show your number to reach them. There is no way around this — some systems are designed to reject anonymous calls for security or verification reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that your number is blocked or unknown, but they will not know it is you specifically unless you tell them. If you are calling someone who knows you, they may assume you are calling from a different phone or that something is wrong with the connection.

Can I block my number on text messages?

No. Text messages do not have a blocking feature like phone calls do. Your number will always show on a text message. If you want to send a message without revealing your number, you would need to use a third-party messaging app or a temporary phone number service.

What if *67 does not work?

Your carrier may not support the feature, or you may have a setting that prevents it. Try calling your carrier's customer service line and ask whether they offer caller ID blocking. If they do, they can help you turn it on or explain why it is not working on your phone.

Does blocking my number cost extra?

Using *67 on individual calls costs nothing. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee to block your number on all outgoing calls, but many include it free. Contact your carrier to ask whether there is a charge for permanent caller ID blocking.

Will 911 see my blocked number?

Yes. Emergency dispatchers will always see your real phone number, even if you have number blocking turned on. This is a legal requirement so emergency services can locate you and call you back if the line disconnects.