Why you might want to block your number

Blocking your number means the person you call sees "Unknown" or "Private Number" instead of your phone number on their screen. This is useful when you want privacy for a personal call, need to reach someone who screens calls, or straightforward prefer not to share your number with certain people or businesses.

The method you use depends on whether you want to block your number for a single call or for all calls you make. Most phone carriers offer both options at no cost, though the steps differ between iPhones, Android phones, and landlines.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block your number for one call by dialing *67 before the phone number on most carriers, or by using your phone's settings to hide it permanently.
  • iPhone users can toggle "Show My Caller ID" off in Settings under Phone, while Android users find this option under Settings > Calls or Caller ID depending on their phone model.
  • Landline users should contact their phone provider directly, as the process varies by company and some require a monthly fee.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing your location if you call 911, even if your number is hidden.
  • Some businesses and government agencies may not accept calls from blocked numbers, so you may need to unblock temporarily for certain calls.

Block your number for a single call using *67

The fastest way to hide your number for just one call is to dial *67 before the phone number. This works on most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and many smaller providers, though a few regional carriers do not support it.

Here is the exact process: Open your phone's dialer, type *67, then type the full phone number you want to call (including the area code), then press Call. The person who answers will see "Unknown" or "Private Number" instead of your number. This blocks your number only for that single call — your next call will show your number normally unless you use *67 again.

If *67 does not work on your carrier, try *141 instead, though this is less common. If neither works, your carrier may not support this feature, and you will need to use your phone's settings instead.

Block your number permanently on iPhone

To hide your number on all outgoing calls from an iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down and tap Phone, then tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch off. Your number will now be hidden on every call you make until you turn this setting back on.

This setting affects only your iPhone — if you use the same phone number on another device, that device will still show your number unless you change its settings too. You can turn Show My Caller ID back on at any time by returning to the same menu and toggling it on again.

Block your number permanently on Android

The exact steps vary depending on your phone model and which version of Android you have, but the setting is usually in the same place. Open Settings, look for Phone or Call Settings (some phones call it Calling Accounts), then find Caller ID or Show Caller ID. Tap it and select Hide Number or a similar option.

If you cannot find this setting, try opening the Phone app, tapping the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then tapping Settings. Look for Caller ID or a similar option there. Some carriers also allow you to manage this through their own app — for example, Verizon users can open the My Verizon app and change the setting there.

Once you change this setting, your number will be hidden on all calls until you return to the same menu and turn it back on.

Block your number on a landline

Landline users need to contact their phone provider directly, because the process and cost vary widely. Some providers offer this feature free, while others charge a monthly fee of a few dollars. A few providers do not offer it at all.

Call your provider's customer service number (usually on your phone bill) and ask whether they offer caller ID blocking and whether it costs anything. If they do, they can usually set up it when ready over the phone. You may also be able to manage this through your provider's website or app if they have one.

What happens when you block your number

When your number is blocked, the person you call sees "Unknown," "Private Number," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" on their phone screen instead of your actual number. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally — blocking your number does not prevent the call from going through.

However, some people and businesses refuse to answer calls from blocked numbers, so you may need to unblock your number to reach them. Banks, government offices, and some customer service lines often screen out blocked calls. If a call does not go through, try making the call again without blocking your number.

If you call 911, your number will show to emergency services even if it is blocked, and they will be able to locate you. Blocking your number does not affect emergency calls in any way.

When blocking your number might not work

Some carriers and phone systems do not respect the block, especially for calls made to other countries or to certain business phone systems. International calls in particular may show your number even if you used *67 or have blocking turned on.

If you are calling a business that uses a private phone system, they may have settings that force all caller ID to display regardless of your block. If a call does not block as expected, try calling from a different phone or ask the person you are trying to reach whether they can accept calls from blocked numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone trace my number if I block it?

No. When you block your number, the person you call cannot see it on their phone screen. Law enforcement can trace blocked calls if they have a court order, but an ordinary person cannot trace a blocked number through their phone.

Will blocking my number prevent telemarketers from calling me back?

No. Blocking your number only hides it when you call someone else. To stop telemarketers from calling you, you need to add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or contact your phone provider about call-blocking tools they may offer.

Does *67 work on cell phones and landlines?

*67 works on most cell phones and many landlines, but not all carriers support it. If *67 does not work, use your phone's settings to block your number instead, or contact your provider to ask whether they support this feature.

If I block my number, will the person know I called?

They will know someone called, but they will not see your number. If you leave a voicemail, they may recognize your voice. Some people assume blocked calls are spam or telemarketers and do not answer, so the call may go to voicemail.

Can I block my number for text messages?

No. Blocking your number works only for voice calls. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient, and there is no standard way to hide it. Some messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp hide your actual phone number, but the recipient still sees your name or username in the app.