Block Your Number Before the Call Goes Out

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling by turning on Hide My Caller ID in your iPhone settings. This prevents your number from appearing on the recipient's phone or caller ID display. The setting applies to all calls you make unless you turn it back off, though you can also hide your number for individual calls if you prefer.

Apple built this feature directly into iOS, so you do not need an app or contact your carrier first. The process takes less than a minute and works whether you are calling another iPhone, an Android phone, or a landline.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on Hide My Caller ID in Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID to block your number on all outgoing calls.
  • You can also hide your number for a single call by dialing *67 before the phone number, then pressing call.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for the Hide My Caller ID feature, while others include it free.
  • The person you call may not see your number, but emergency services can still identify you if you dial 911.
  • If Hide My Caller ID is grayed out, your carrier does not support the feature or has not activated it on your account.

Turn On Hide My Caller ID in Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Phone. Scroll down and look for Show My Caller ID. Tap the toggle next to it to turn it off. Once the toggle is gray, your number will be hidden on all calls you make going forward.

If you do not see the Show My Caller ID option, your carrier may not support this feature or may not have activated it on your account. Contact your carrier directly to ask whether they offer caller ID blocking and whether there is a fee. Some carriers include it free, while others charge $1 to $3 per month.

You can turn the setting back on at any time by returning to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggling it on again. Your number will then display normally on outgoing calls.

Hide Your Number for a Single Call

If you only want to hide your number for one specific call, you do not need to change your settings. Open the Phone app, dial *67, then when ready type the phone number you want to call, and press the call button. Your number will be hidden for that call only.

After the call ends, your caller ID setting returns to whatever it was before. If you have Hide My Caller ID turned on in settings, the *67 method is not necessary — your number will already be hidden. But if your setting is off and you want to hide your number just once, *67 is the fastest way.

Some carriers do not support the *67 method, though most do. If you dial *67 and the call fails or goes through with your number visible, contact your carrier to confirm they support this feature.

What the Person You Call Will See

When you hide your caller ID, the recipient typically sees "Unknown," "Private Number," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" instead of your phone number. On some older phones or landlines, they may see nothing at all. The exact display depends on their phone model and carrier.

The person you call can still answer the phone — hiding your number does not prevent the call from going through. They straightforward will not know who is calling until you tell them. If they have call recording enabled, the recording will not capture your number either.

Emergency Calls Always Show Your Number

If you dial 911, your number will display to the emergency dispatcher even if Hide My Caller ID is turned on. Emergency services need to identify you in case the call drops or you cannot speak. This is a legal requirement and cannot be overridden by any iPhone setting.

For any other emergency number specific to your country or region, the same rule applies — your number will be sent to emergency services regardless of your caller ID setting.

Carrier Fees and Limitations

Some carriers charge a monthly fee for Hide My Caller ID, typically between $1 and $3. Others include it free as part of your plan. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service to find out whether there is a fee and whether the feature is already active on your account.

A few carriers do not support caller ID blocking at all, particularly some smaller regional carriers or prepaid services. If you see the Show My Caller ID option grayed out in your settings, your carrier is one of them. In that case, you would need to switch carriers if hiding your number is important to you.

If you have a business line or a carrier plan with special restrictions, caller ID blocking may be disabled by your account administrator. Contact your carrier or account manager to ask whether it can be turned on.

When Hide My Caller ID Does Not Work

Some people have settings that reject calls from hidden numbers. If you call someone and they do not answer, they may have enabled a feature that automatically declines or sends to voicemail any call without a visible number. In that case, hiding your number prevents them from receiving your call at all.

Certain businesses, government offices, and automated systems also reject calls from hidden numbers. If you need to reach a specific organization and your hidden number is not getting through, turn Hide My Caller ID back on and try again.

If you are calling someone who has you blocked by number, hiding your caller ID will not bypass that block. They will still not receive your call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my number on FaceTime or iMessage?

No. FaceTime and iMessage always show your phone number or Apple ID to the recipient. There is no setting to hide it. If you want to contact someone without revealing your number, use a regular phone call with Hide My Caller ID turned on instead.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a hidden or private number, but they will not receive a notification that you specifically blocked it. They straightforward will not see your number on their screen.

Does *67 work on all carriers?

Most carriers support *67, but not all. If you dial *67 and the call fails or your number still shows, your carrier may not support it. Contact them to confirm or ask about other options.

Can I hide my number when calling international numbers?

It depends on the country you are calling. Some countries support caller ID blocking, while others do not. If you are calling outside the United States, your carrier may not be able to hide your number even if the feature is turned on.

What if someone calls me from a hidden number — can I block them?

Yes, but you cannot block by number since you cannot see it. Instead, go to the recent call from "Unknown" or "Private Number," tap the info icon, and select "Block this Caller." Future calls from that number will go to voicemail, though you will still see them listed as unknown.