Why you might want to block your number

Blocking your phone number means the person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your actual digits. This is useful if you're calling a business where you don't want your personal number recorded, reaching out to someone you don't know well, or making calls you prefer to keep private. It's different from blocking incoming calls — you're controlling what information you send out, not what comes in.

The methods vary depending on whether you want to block your number on a single call or on all your outgoing calls. Some approaches work on any phone; others depend on your carrier or phone type.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block your number on individual calls by dialing *67 before the phone number on most landlines and cell phones in the United States.
  • To block your number on all outgoing calls, contact your phone carrier directly — the setting is usually called "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" and may cost a small monthly fee.
  • iPhone users can turn off "Show My Caller ID" in Settings; Android users can find a similar toggle in Phone or Contacts settings, though the exact location varies by manufacturer and carrier.
  • Some carriers charge $2 to $5 per month for permanent blocking, while the per-call *67 method is free but requires you to remember it each time.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing your location if you call 911.

Using *67 to block your number on a single call

The simplest method costs nothing and works on most phones. Dial *67 when ready before the phone number you want to call. For example, if you're calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567. The recipient will see your call as blocked or private.

This works on most landlines and cell phones in the United States. The call will go through normally — the person can still answer and talk to you — but they won't see your number. If they don't answer, your number won't appear in their missed call log either.

The downside is that you have to remember to dial *67 every single time. If you make many calls where you want your number hidden, this becomes tedious. Some people find it easier to use their phone's settings instead.

Blocking your number on all outgoing calls through your carrier

If you want your number blocked on every call you make, contact your phone carrier directly. Most carriers offer a service that hides your caller ID on all outgoing calls. The service names vary — AT&T calls it "Caller ID Blocking," Verizon calls it "Caller ID Block," and T-Mobile calls it "Caller ID Blocking" — but they all do the same thing.

Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask to turn on permanent caller ID blocking. Some carriers charge $2 to $5 per month for this service; others include it free with certain plans. The change usually takes effect within a day or two.

One important limitation: some people and businesses have set their phones to reject blocked calls automatically. If you call someone with that setting enabled, your call won't go through at all. You'll hear a message saying the call cannot be completed. In those cases, you'd need to unblock your number for that specific call or use *67 instead.

Blocking your number on iPhone

iPhone users can hide their caller ID through the Settings app. Open Settings, scroll down to Phone, tap Caller ID, and toggle off "Show My Caller ID." This hides your number on all outgoing calls made from that phone.

This method works regardless of your carrier, though some carriers may override it with their own settings. If you turn off "Show My Caller ID" but your number still appears on calls, contact your carrier — they may have a conflicting setting on their end.

You can also block your number on a single call by using *67, which works on iPhone the same way it works on any phone.

Blocking your number on Android

Android phones have a similar setting, but the exact location depends on your phone manufacturer and carrier. On most Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then look for "Supplementary Services," "Call Settings," or "Additional Settings." From there, find "Caller ID" or "Show Caller ID" and turn it off.

Some Android phones put this setting in Contacts instead of Phone. If you can't find it in Phone Settings, try opening Contacts, tapping the menu, and looking for Settings or Caller ID options there.

If you can't locate the setting on your specific phone, *67 will still work as a backup. You can also call your carrier's customer service and ask them to enable caller ID blocking on your account.

What happens when you block your number

When your number is blocked, the recipient sees "Unknown," "Private," "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. They won't know who called unless you tell them.

If they don't answer, the call won't appear in their recent calls list with your number attached. However, if they have call recording enabled or their carrier logs the call, there may be a record on their end — they just won't see your number displayed in real time.

One exception: if you call 911, emergency services will see your location and phone number regardless of blocking. This is a legal requirement so emergency responders can reach you if the call drops.

When blocking your number might not work

Some businesses and individuals set their phones to reject all blocked calls. If you call someone with this setting, you'll hear a message like "We do not accept calls from blocked numbers" or "Please hang up and call back with your caller ID on." The call won't connect.

Banks, government offices, and customer service lines sometimes use this setting. If you need to reach them and your number is blocked, you'll have to unblock it for that call. You can do this by dialing *82 before the number (which temporarily unblocks your number for one call) or by turning off your blocking setting temporarily.

International calls may also have issues with blocking. Some countries don't support caller ID blocking the same way the United States does, so your number might appear anyway or the call might not go through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on cell phones and landlines?

Yes, *67 works on both. Dial it before any phone number on your cell phone or landline, and the recipient will see a blocked call. It's free and works on most carriers in the United States.

Can I unblock my number for a single call if I have permanent blocking turned on?

Yes. Dial *82 before the phone number to temporarily unblock your caller ID for that one call. After the call ends, your number goes back to being blocked on the next call you make.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They'll see that the call is blocked or private, but they won't know it's you unless you tell them. If you don't answer when they call back, they won't be able to reach you at your number.

Does blocking my number prevent people from calling me back?

No. If you call someone and they want to reach you, they can't call you back at your number because they don't see it. You would have to call them again or give them your number directly.

What's the difference between *67 and carrier blocking?

*67 blocks your number on one call at a time and is free. Carrier blocking hides your number on all calls and may cost $2 to $5 per month, but you don't have to remember to dial anything. Some people reject blocked calls, so *67 might fail where carrier blocking would too.