You can hide your number on most phones using a straightforward code or setting, though the person you call may still see it depending on their carrier

Blocking your number before you call means the recipient sees "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your phone number. How you do this depends on whether you want to block it for a single call or for all outgoing calls. On most carriers and phones, you can use a code before dialing, change a phone setting, or contact your carrier to block your number permanently. The person on the other end may still see your number if they have special services that reveal blocked numbers, or if you call a business with systems designed to unmask them.

The method that works for you depends on your phone type (iPhone, Android, or a basic phone), your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or a smaller provider), and whether you want the block to explore to one call or every call you make. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for permanent blocking; others include it free. Some workplaces and government agencies have technology that defeats number blocking, so blocking your number does not may provide anonymity in every situation.

Key Takeaways

  • To block your number on a single call, dial *67 before the phone number on most carriers in the United States.
  • To block your number on all calls, go to your phone's settings (iPhone: Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID; Android: varies by phone, usually Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID) and turn off the option to show your number.
  • Some carriers offer a paid service called "Caller ID Block" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" that permanently hides your number; contact your carrier to check cost and availability.
  • Businesses, hospitals, police departments, and government offices often have systems that reveal blocked numbers, so blocking does not may provide anonymity when calling them.
  • If you block your number and the person does not answer, they may be less likely to call you back because they cannot see who called.

Using *67 to block your number on a single call

The fastest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 when ready before the phone number. This works on most carriers in the United States, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and many smaller carriers. The sequence is: *67, then the area code and phone number. For example, to call 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567.

When you use *67, the recipient sees "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "Restricted" instead of your number. This works on both landlines and mobile phones. If the call goes to voicemail, your number still does not appear on the voicemail system. The block applies only to that single call; your next call will show your number unless you use *67 again.

If the person you are calling has a service that reveals blocked numbers (sometimes called "Caller ID Unmasking" or available through certain business phone systems), they may still see your number. Government agencies and some businesses subscribe to these services specifically to see who is calling them, even when the caller has blocked their number.

Blocking your number on all outgoing calls through phone settings

If you want your number hidden on every call you make, you can turn off caller ID in your phone's settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID, and toggle it off. Your number will be hidden on all calls unless you turn the setting back on.

On an Android phone, the path varies by manufacturer and carrier, but it is usually Settings, then Call Settings or Phone Settings, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID. Look for an option labeled "Show My Caller ID," "Hide My Number," or "Caller ID." Tap it and select "Hide Number" or turn the toggle off. If you cannot find it in those locations, search your phone's settings for "Caller ID" or check your carrier's support page for your specific phone model.

On a basic or older phone (not a smartphone), look in the settings menu for "Caller ID" or "Phone Settings." The exact path depends on the phone model; check the manual or your carrier's website. Some older phones do not support this feature at all.

Once you turn off caller ID in your settings, every call you make will show as blocked or unknown. This can make it harder for people to call you back, and some people may not answer calls from unknown numbers. If you change your mind, you can turn the setting back on at any time.

Permanent number blocking through your carrier

Most carriers offer a service that permanently blocks your number on all outgoing calls. These services go by different names: Verizon calls it "Caller ID Block," AT&T calls it "Anonymous Call Rejection," and T-Mobile offers similar options. Some carriers include this service free; others charge $2 to $5 per month. A few carriers offer it only on certain phone plans.

To set up permanent blocking, call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or on their website) and ask for caller ID blocking or anonymous call rejection. They will confirm your account, explain any costs, and set up the service. It usually takes effect within a few hours. You can turn it off at any time by calling customer service again.

The advantage of using your carrier's service instead of your phone's settings is that it works on all devices you use on that phone line, including borrowed phones or phones you switch to. The disadvantage is that some carriers charge a monthly fee, and the service may not work on all call types (some carriers exclude calls to toll-free numbers or emergency services).

When blocking your number does not work

Hospitals, police departments, courts, government agencies, and many businesses have phone systems that are designed to reveal blocked numbers. These systems use technology called Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or Calling Line Identification (CLID), which captures your number before it reaches the recipient's phone. When you call 911, your number is always revealed to the dispatcher, even if you have blocking turned on.

Some private companies, particularly debt collectors and customer service centers, also have systems that unmask blocked numbers. If you are calling a business and your number is important to them (for example, to look up your account), they may have invested in technology to see it even when you have tried to block it.

If you are calling a person rather than a business or government office, blocking your number usually works. The person will see "Unknown" or "Blocked," and your actual number will not appear on their phone or in their call history.

Why someone might not answer a call from a blocked number

Many people do not answer calls from unknown or blocked numbers because they assume it is spam, a robocall, or a scam. If you block your number and the person does not pick up, they will not be able to see who called and may not call you back. If you need them to answer, you may want to send a text message first to let them know you are about to call, or use an unblocked number.

Some phones have settings that automatically reject calls from blocked numbers. If someone has turned on "Block Unknown Callers" or a similar feature on their iPhone or Android, your call may go straight to voicemail even if they would normally answer.

Blocking your number on video calls and messaging apps

Blocking your number does not hide your identity on video calls or messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or iMessage. These apps show your name or username, not your phone number. If you want to hide your identity on a video call or message, you would need to use a different account or app, not a phone number block.

Some apps allow you to make calls over the internet instead of using your phone's cellular network. These apps (like Google Voice, Skype, or Viber) have their own caller ID settings separate from your phone's settings. Check the app's settings menu to see if it has an option to hide your number or show a different number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones and carriers?

*67 works on most carriers in the United States, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and many smaller carriers. It works on both landlines and mobile phones. Some carriers or phone systems may not support it, so if it does not work, contact your carrier to confirm they offer number blocking.

Can someone trace my number if I block it?

If you call a regular person, they cannot trace your number when it is blocked. If you call a business, hospital, police department, or government office, they may be able to see your number through their phone system even though it appears blocked on the recipient's phone. Law enforcement can always obtain your number through legal channels regardless of blocking.

Will my voicemail show my blocked number?

No. When you use *67 or have caller ID blocking turned on, your number does not appear in the voicemail system either. The person will see "Unknown" or "Blocked" in their voicemail as well as on their incoming call screen.

What happens if I block my number and they call me back?

They cannot call you back because they do not have your number. If they try to return your call, they will be calling the "Unknown" or "Blocked" number, which does not work. This is why blocking your number can make it harder to have a conversation — let the person know you are calling first if you need them to reach you.

Is there a way to block my number on international calls?

*67 may not work on international calls, and blocking options vary by country. Some carriers offer international caller ID blocking as an add-on service. Contact your carrier before making an international call if hiding your number is important to you.