Blocking your caller ID on a cell phone

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling by adding a code before you dial, or by changing a setting in your phone's call settings. The method depends on your phone type and carrier. Most carriers support the code *67 (in the US and Canada), which you dial before the number — this blocks your ID for that single call. If you want to block your number on every call you make, you can turn on a setting in your phone's native dialer app that does this automatically.

The blocked number appears as "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on the recipient's phone. This does not prevent the call from going through — the person can still answer, but they will not see your number. Emergency calls (911 in the US) always transmit your number regardless of blocking, because emergency services need to locate you.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number to block your caller ID for a single call on most US and Canadian carriers.
  • You can set your phone to block your caller ID on all outgoing calls by opening your phone's dialer settings and toggling "Hide My Caller ID" or "Show My Number" off.
  • The blocked number will show as "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on the recipient's phone, but the call will still ring through.
  • Emergency calls to 911 always show your real number and location, even if you have blocking turned on.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for the automatic blocking feature, while the *67 code is free on most plans.

Using *67 to block a single call

The fastest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 before you enter the phone number. On most carriers in the US and Canada, this code is free and works when ready. Open your phone's dialer, type *67, then type the full phone number you want to call (including area code), and press the call button as normal.

The person receiving the call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number. The call rings through normally — blocking only hides the number, it does not prevent the call from connecting. If you hang up and call again without using *67, your number will show on the next call.

Some carriers outside the US and Canada use different codes. If *67 does not work, contact your carrier to ask what code they support for hiding caller ID. A few carriers do not offer this feature at all, though most major carriers do.

Blocking your caller ID on all calls (iPhone)

On iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll down to find Phone. Tap Phone, then look for a setting called Show My Caller ID or Hide My Number — the exact name varies by carrier and iOS version. Toggle this setting off to hide your number on every call you make.

Once this setting is off, every outgoing call will show the recipient's phone as "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked." You can turn the setting back on at any time to show your number again. This setting only affects calls made through your carrier — it does not hide your number on calls made through internet apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime.

If you do not see this option in your Phone settings, your carrier may not offer automatic caller ID blocking, or it may be located in a different menu. Contact your carrier's customer service to confirm whether they support this feature and whether there is a monthly fee.

Blocking your caller ID on all calls (Android)

On Android, the method depends on which phone manufacturer and which dialer app you use. Open your phone's native dialer app (usually called Phone or Dialer), tap the three-line menu icon in the top left or top right corner, and look for Settings. Tap Settings, then look for a section called Calls or Call Settings.

Inside Call Settings, search for an option called Hide My Caller ID, Show My Number, Caller ID, or Supplementary Services. The exact name varies by manufacturer and carrier. Tap this option and select "Hide Number" or toggle the setting off. Once you do, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls.

If you cannot find this setting, your phone manufacturer or carrier may not offer it through the dialer app. Some carriers require you to dial a code like *31# to turn on permanent blocking, or they may require you to call customer service to enable it. Contact your carrier if you cannot locate the setting in your phone's dialer.

When caller ID blocking does not work

Some people have set their phone to reject calls from unknown or blocked numbers. If you call them with your ID hidden, your call may go straight to voicemail or be rejected entirely. You will not receive a notification that the call was rejected — the person will straightforward not answer.

If you need to reach someone and your blocked calls are not getting through, try calling again with your number showing. You can do this by dialing *82 before the number (in the US and Canada) to temporarily show your caller ID on a single call, even if you have automatic blocking turned on. Alternatively, you can turn off the automatic blocking setting, make the call, and turn it back on afterward.

Businesses and government offices often reject blocked calls as a security measure. If you are trying to reach a company or agency and your blocked call does not go through, showing your number is usually necessary.

Understanding carrier fees and limitations

Most carriers in the US include the *67 code for free as part of standard service. However, some carriers charge a small monthly fee (usually $2 to $5) if you want to block your caller ID on all outgoing calls automatically. Check your carrier's website or call customer service to confirm whether automatic blocking is included in your plan or costs extra.

Caller ID blocking does not work on calls made through internet-based apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, or Google Meet. These apps show the phone number or username associated with your account, and blocking settings in your phone's dialer do not affect them. If you want to hide your identity on a call through one of these apps, you would need to create an account under a different name or number.

Some carriers have restrictions on blocking caller ID when calling certain numbers. For example, you may not be able to block your ID when calling toll-free numbers, emergency services, or certain government offices. If you try to call one of these numbers with blocking on, the call may fail or your number may be transmitted anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find my real number if I block my caller ID?

No. When you block your caller ID using *67 or your phone's settings, the person receiving the call cannot see your number through their phone. However, if they have access to your carrier's records or work in law enforcement, they may be able to trace the call through other means. For everyday calls, blocking your ID prevents the recipient from seeing your number.

Does blocking my caller ID work on text messages?

No. Caller ID blocking only hides your number on voice calls. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient — there is no built-in way to send an SMS text with a hidden number. If you need to send a message anonymously, you would need to use an app designed for that purpose.

What is the difference between *67 and *82?

*67 blocks your caller ID for a single call. *82 temporarily shows your caller ID for a single call, even if you have automatic blocking turned on for all your calls. Use *82 when you need someone to see your number but you normally have blocking enabled.

Will 911 see my number if I have caller ID blocking on?

Yes. Emergency services always receive your real phone number and location when you call 911, regardless of whether you have caller ID blocking turned on. This is a legal requirement so that emergency responders can locate you and send help to the correct address.

Can I block my caller ID on a business line or work phone?

This depends on your employer and your phone system. If you use a company-provided phone on a business plan, your employer may have disabled caller ID blocking for security or compliance reasons. Contact your IT department or phone administrator to ask whether blocking is available on your work line.