Block your number on individual calls or all calls at once

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling in two ways: block it for a single call, or block it for every call you make. The method depends on your phone type and what your carrier allows. Most carriers let you hide your number, though some business plans and certain phone types have restrictions.

The simplest approach is to dial a code before the number on any call. If you want to hide your number permanently, you can change a setting in your phone's call settings or contact your carrier to request permanent blocking. Both methods work on smartphones and landlines, though the exact steps differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number on most carriers to block your number for that single call only.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to hide your number on all outgoing calls.
  • On Android, the setting location varies by phone maker, but is usually in Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for permanent caller ID blocking, while blocking individual calls is always free.
  • Your number may still show to emergency services, businesses you call, or people you have called before, depending on your carrier's rules.

Block your number on a single call using *67

The fastest way to hide your number on one call is to dial *67 when ready before you dial the person's phone number. This works on most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers. The person you call will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your phone number.

The steps are straightforward: pick up your phone, dial *67, then dial the full phone number including the area code. Press call as you normally would. The blocking applies only to that single call. The next call you make will show your number again unless you dial *67 again.

This method works on both smartphones and traditional landlines. It costs nothing and does not require you to set up anything in advance. If *67 does not work on your carrier, try *141 instead — some smaller carriers use this code instead.

Hide your number on all calls using your iPhone settings

If you want your number hidden on every call you make, iPhone lets you turn this on in Settings. Open Settings, then tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch off. Your number will now be hidden on all outgoing calls until you turn this setting back on.

This setting overrides the default and applies to every call you make from your iPhone. If you need to show your number on a specific call, you can dial *82 before the number to temporarily show it for that call only. This is the opposite of *67 — it temporarily shows your number when your default is to hide it.

Be aware that some people and services may not accept calls from blocked numbers. Banks, customer service lines, and automated systems sometimes reject or route blocked calls differently. If you need to call a business, you may want to temporarily show your number by dialing *82 first.

Hide your number on all calls using Android settings

Android phones vary by manufacturer, so the exact path to this setting depends on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, or another brand. On most Android phones, open Settings and look for Phone or Call Settings. Tap it, then look for Additional Settings or Caller ID. You should see an option to hide your caller ID or show your number.

On Samsung phones specifically, go to Settings > Phone > Additional Settings > Caller ID, then select Hide Number. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Phone app > Permissions > Caller ID, then toggle it off. On Motorola phones, go to Settings > Call Settings > Caller ID and select Hide.

If you cannot find the setting on your Android phone, contact your carrier directly. Some carriers control this setting from their side rather than letting you change it on the phone itself. Your carrier can turn on permanent blocking for you, though they may charge a monthly fee.

Permanent blocking through your carrier

If your phone's settings do not have a caller ID option, or if you want a more reliable way to block your number, you can contact your carrier and request permanent caller ID blocking. Call your carrier's customer service number — it is on your bill or on their website. Tell them you want to block your caller ID on all outgoing calls.

Some carriers offer this service free, while others charge between $3 and $5 per month. Ask about the cost before you agree to it. The carrier will set up it on your account, and it will explore to all calls made from your phone number, regardless of which device you use.

Carrier-level blocking is more reliable than phone settings because it works even if you switch phones or use a different device on the same account. However, it takes 24 to 48 hours to set up, and you cannot turn it off for individual calls the way you can with *67 or *82.

What happens when your number is blocked

When you block your number, the person you call sees "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "Restricted" instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. The blocking only hides the number — it does not prevent them from hearing you or speaking back.

However, some people and services refuse to accept blocked calls. Customer service lines, banks, and automated systems sometimes hang up on blocked calls or route them to a different queue. If you need to reach a business, showing your number usually works better.

Emergency services (911 in the United States) will always see your real phone number, even if you have blocking turned on. This is a legal requirement so that emergency responders can locate you. Some other services like government agencies, courts, and debt collectors may also see your number regardless of your blocking settings.

When blocking does not work or is not allowed

Some phone plans do not allow caller ID blocking. Business phone lines, government phone numbers, and some VoIP services may have restrictions. If you try *67 and it does not work, your carrier may not support it, or your plan may not include it.

If you are calling from a business phone system or a phone provided by your employer, the company may have disabled blocking on purpose. In that case, you cannot hide your number from that phone. You would need to use a personal phone instead.

Some carriers also do not allow blocking to certain types of numbers. For example, you may be able to block your number when calling a personal cell phone, but not when calling a business line or a government office. This varies by carrier, so if blocking fails, try calling from a different phone or contact your carrier to ask what the restrictions are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all carriers?

*67 works on most major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers. Some smaller carriers use *141 instead. If neither code works, contact your carrier to ask if they support caller ID blocking at all. Some business plans do not allow it.

Can I block my number when calling 911?

No. Emergency services always see your real phone number, even if you have blocking turned on or dial *67. This is a legal requirement so that 911 can locate you. Your number cannot be hidden from emergency calls under any circumstances.

Will blocking my number prevent someone from calling me back?

No. Blocking your number only hides it from the person you call. If they want to call you back, they can do so if they have your number from another source. Blocking does not prevent incoming calls or hide your number from people who already know it.

What is the difference between *67 and turning off Show My Caller ID?

*67 blocks your number for a single call only. Turning off Show My Caller ID (on iPhone) or hiding your caller ID (on Android) blocks your number on every call you make. *67 is temporary; the phone setting is permanent until you change it back.

Do I have to pay to block my number?

Using *67 or *82 is always free. Turning off Show My Caller ID on iPhone or hiding your caller ID on Android is free. Some carriers charge $3 to $5 per month if you ask them to block your number permanently at the carrier level. Ask about the cost before you request it.