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 just that one call, or set your phone to block it on every call you make. The method depends on your phone type and what your carrier allows. Most carriers support both options at no extra cost, though some prepaid plans may have restrictions.
The single-call method works when ready and requires no setup — you dial a code before the number. The permanent method takes a few minutes to set up but then works automatically on every outgoing call. If you change your mind later, you can turn it back off just as easily.
Key Takeaways
- Dial *67 before the phone number on most carriers to block your number on that single call only.
- On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Permissions > Phone, then toggle off the display of your caller ID in your carrier settings.
- On iPhone, open Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to hide your number on all outgoing calls.
- Some carriers let you manage caller ID blocking through their online account or customer service, which may be faster than phone settings.
- The person you call will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number, but emergency services can still identify you.
Block your number on a single call with *67
The quickest way to hide your number on one call is to dial *67 when ready before you dial the person's phone number. So if you are calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567. This works on most landlines and cell phones across major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers.
After you dial *67, you will hear a normal dial tone and the call will go through as usual. The person receiving the call will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" on their caller ID instead of your number. If they do not answer, your number will not appear in their missed calls list either.
This method works only for that single call. The next time you call someone without dialing *67 first, your number will show normally. There is no setup required and no monthly fee — it is built into your phone service.
Hide your number on all calls from an iPhone
On iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll down to find Phone. Tap Phone, then look for the option labeled Show My Caller ID. Toggle this switch to the off position (it will turn gray). Your number will now be hidden on every call you make.
This setting takes effect when ready. The next call you make, the recipient will see "Private" or "Unknown" instead of your number. If you want to show your number again on future calls, return to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it back on.
Some carriers may also let you manage this setting through their own app or website. If you do not see Show My Caller ID in your Phone settings, contact your carrier to confirm the feature is available on your plan.
Hide your number on all calls from an Android phone
On Android, the steps vary slightly depending on your phone manufacturer and which version of Android you have. Start by opening Settings and look for a Phone app or Call Settings option. On Samsung phones, this is usually under Settings > Apps > Phone > Permissions. On other Android phones, try Settings > Call Settings or Settings > Advanced Features.
Once you find the Phone app settings, look for an option related to caller ID, caller identification, or display of your phone number. The exact wording depends on your phone and carrier, but it will usually say something like "Show Caller ID" or "Display My Number." Toggle this setting to off.
If you cannot find this option in your phone settings, your carrier may require you to manage it through their website or customer service line. Call your carrier's support number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask them to disable caller ID display on your account.
Block your number through your carrier's website or app
Most major carriers offer a way to manage caller ID blocking through their online account portal or mobile app. This can be faster than digging through phone settings, especially if you are not sure where to look on your device.
Log into your carrier's website or app using your account credentials. Look for a section labeled Settings, Privacy, Call Settings, or Caller ID. You should see an option to hide or block your caller ID on outgoing calls. Toggle it on, and the change usually takes effect within a few minutes.
If you cannot find the option online, call your carrier's customer service number. Tell them you want to block your caller ID on outgoing calls. They can enable it for you over the phone in under a minute, and it will be active on your account when ready.
What the person receiving your call will see
When you call someone with your number blocked, they will see one of several labels on their caller ID display instead of your actual phone number. The most common are "Private," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "Restricted." Some phones may also show "No Caller ID" or straightforward a blank space where your number would normally appear.
If they have a smartphone, they may also see a notification that the call is from a blocked or private number. They can still answer the call and speak with you normally — blocking your number does not prevent the call from going through, it just hides your identity.
One important exception: if you call 911 or another emergency service, your number will be displayed to them regardless of whether you have caller ID blocking turned on. Emergency services need your location and number to send help, and they have the ability to see it even when it is hidden from regular callers.
Reasons your blocked number might still show up
In rare cases, your number may still appear even when you have blocking turned on. This usually happens if the person you are calling has a service that unblocks private numbers, or if you are calling a business with special equipment designed to reveal blocked caller IDs. Some companies, particularly banks and government offices, have systems that can see your number even when it is blocked.
If you are calling someone and your number is showing up when it should be blocked, the most likely reason is that your carrier has not fully processed your request yet. Wait a few hours and try again. If it continues to happen, contact your carrier to confirm the setting is active on your account.
Another possibility is that you are using an app-based calling service like Google Voice, Skype, or WhatsApp instead of your regular phone line. These apps have their own caller ID settings that are separate from your phone's settings, and you may need to adjust them within the app itself rather than in your phone settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked my number?
They will see that the call came from a blocked or private number, but they will not know it was specifically you unless you tell them. If they do not recognize the call, they may not answer it. If you want them to know it is you, you can tell them your name when they pick up.
Can I block my number on text messages?
No. Caller ID blocking only works for voice calls. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient, and there is no built-in way to hide it. If you need to send anonymous texts, you would need to use a third-party app or service designed for that purpose.
What if I block my number and then the person calls me back?
They will call back to the blocked number you called from, which is your actual phone number. Your phone will ring normally and you can answer. Blocking your outgoing caller ID does not affect incoming calls — people can still reach you the normal way.
Does blocking my number cost extra?
No. Both the *67 method and the permanent caller ID blocking feature are included with standard phone service at no additional charge. Some carriers may charge for premium caller ID services, but basic blocking is free.
Can I block my number on a conference call?
It depends on the conference calling service. Some services allow you to set caller ID blocking before joining, while others do not support it. If you are using a service like Zoom, Google Meet, or a business conference line, check their settings or contact their support to see if caller ID blocking is an option.