Block your number before the call connects

You can hide your phone number from the person receiving your call by entering a code before you dial. On most phones, you type *67 before the phone number, then press call. The recipient sees "Private Number," "Blocked," or no number at all instead of your digits. This works on both landlines and cell phones, though some carriers charge a small per-call fee.

The blocking lasts only for that single call. If you hang up and dial again without entering *67, your number shows normally. This method works whether you're calling a business, a friend, or a government office — the person on the other end cannot see your number through their phone display.

A few situations where this does not work: calling 911 (emergency services always receive your number), calling toll-free numbers (some systems override the block), or calling businesses that have special equipment to unmask blocked numbers. If you reach a voicemail system, your number may still appear in the voicemail metadata even if it was blocked on the call itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Type *67 before the phone number to block your number on a single outgoing call.
  • The recipient will see "Private Number" or "Blocked" instead of your phone number.
  • The block applies only to that one call; your next call will show your number unless you enter *67 again.
  • Emergency calls to 911 cannot be blocked, and some businesses have systems that can unmask blocked numbers.
  • Some carriers charge a small fee per blocked call, though most include it in standard service.

How to block your number on different phone types

On a traditional landline or VoIP phone: Pick up the handset, dial *67, then dial the full phone number you want to reach. Press the call button or hang up the handset to connect. Some older phone systems use #31# instead of *67, depending on your carrier and region.

On an iPhone: Open the Phone app, tap the keypad, enter *67, then type the number you want to call. Press the green call button. Your number will be blocked for that call only. You do not need to change any settings — the code works on every call where you enter it.

On an Android phone: Open the Phone app or dialer, tap the keypad, enter *67, then type the number. Press call. The process is identical to iPhone. Some Android phones have a "Hide My Number" toggle in settings that blocks your number on all outgoing calls, but this varies by manufacturer and carrier.

On a business phone system: Many office phones have a dedicated button or menu option to block your number. Check your phone's manual or ask your IT department, since the method depends on the system your company uses. Some systems require you to dial a code like *67, while others use a button or a settings menu.

Permanent number blocking through your carrier

If you want your number blocked on every call you make, contact your phone carrier and ask them to enable Caller ID blocking or Anonymous Call Rejection on your account. This is different from the *67 method — it blocks your number automatically without you having to enter a code each time.

Some carriers offer this as a free feature, while others charge $3 to $5 per month. You can usually turn it on or off through your carrier's website, mobile app, or by calling customer service. If you enable permanent blocking, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls unless you specifically unblock it for certain calls.

To unblock your number for a specific call when you have permanent blocking turned on, enter *82 before the number. This overrides the account-level block for just that one call, so the recipient will see your actual number.

When your number may not block successfully

Some types of calls cannot be blocked, even if you enter *67. Calls to 911 emergency services always transmit your real number to the dispatcher, regardless of any blocking code. This is a legal requirement so emergency responders can locate you if the call drops.

Toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866) sometimes override number blocking because the business receiving the call pays for incoming calls and wants to know who is calling. Government agencies, banks, and large customer service centers often have systems that can see your number even when you block it. If you call back a number that called you, some phone systems automatically unmask your number.

Calls to short codes (like 411 for directory information or 5-digit numbers for text alerts) may not respect the block. If you need privacy for a specific type of call and *67 does not work, ask the recipient if they have another way to reach them that does not require your number.

Privacy considerations and what others see

When you block your number, the person receiving the call sees one of several displays depending on their phone and carrier: "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown," "Restricted," or straightforward no number at all. They cannot call you back using the information on their phone screen because there is no number to dial.

However, blocking your number does not make you completely anonymous. If the recipient has caller ID equipment that can unmask blocked numbers (common in businesses and government offices), they may be able to see your real number. Law enforcement and emergency services can always obtain your number through the carrier if needed.

If you block your number and leave a voicemail, the recipient may still see your number in their voicemail system or call log, depending on how their voicemail is set up. Some voicemail services store metadata that includes the actual number even when the call itself was blocked.

Troubleshooting when *67 does not work

If you enter *67 and your number still appears on the recipient's phone, the most common reason is that your carrier does not support the feature or has it disabled on your account. Call your carrier's customer service and ask them to confirm that Caller ID blocking is available on your plan.

Some carriers require you to enable the feature in your account settings before *67 will work. Check your carrier's website or app to see if there is a toggle for "Allow Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Calling." If the setting is turned off, turn it on and try again.

If you are calling from a business phone system, the block may be overridden by your company's settings. Ask your IT department or phone administrator whether they have disabled Caller ID blocking for security or compliance reasons. Some organizations require all outgoing calls to display the company number.

If *67 works sometimes but not always, the issue may be with the recipient's phone or carrier, not yours. Some phone systems or carriers do not respect blocking codes, especially for calls from cell phones to landlines or vice versa. Try calling from a different phone or at a different time to see if the problem is consistent.

Alternatives if you need ongoing privacy

If you need to make many calls without showing your number, enabling permanent Caller ID blocking through your carrier is simpler than entering *67 each time. You can toggle it on or off through your account, and you can still unblock individual calls using *82 when you need the recipient to see your number.

Some people use a separate phone line or a virtual phone number service for calls where they want privacy. Virtual number services like Google Voice or Skype let you make calls from a different number than your actual phone number. These services are useful if you want a consistent alternate number rather than showing "Private Number" each time.

If you are concerned about your safety or privacy for a specific reason, consider whether blocking your number alone is enough. In situations involving harassment or threats, contact local law enforcement or a domestic violence hotline for guidance on additional protections beyond number blocking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phone carriers?

*67 works on most major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers, but some smaller carriers or VoIP services may not support it. Call your carrier to confirm the feature is available on your account. If it is not, ask them to enable it or suggest an alternative method.

Can someone trace my number if I block it with *67?

The person receiving your call cannot see or trace your number from their phone. However, law enforcement and your carrier can always obtain your number if legally required. Blocking your number hides it from the recipient's caller ID, not from phone company records.

What is the difference between *67 and *82?

*67 blocks your number on a single call. *82 unblocks your number on a single call if you have permanent blocking turned on through your carrier. If you do not have permanent blocking, *82 has no effect.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

Yes, they will see "Private Number" or "Blocked" on their phone instead of your name or number. They will know someone called them, but they will not know who. Some people do not answer calls from blocked numbers.

Can I block my number when texting?

No, text messages always show your phone number or contact name to the recipient. There is no code to block your number on SMS or text messages. If you need privacy for text communication, use a messaging app like Signal or a virtual number service instead.