You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling by using a feature built into your phone or by dialing a code before the number

When you call someone, your phone number normally shows up on their caller ID. If you want to hide it, you have two main options: use a setting on your phone that blocks your number for all calls, or dial a code before each individual call to hide just that one. The method you use depends on your phone type and your carrier.

The feature works because caller ID is transmitted separately from the call itself. Your carrier can block that transmission on purpose, so the person receiving the call sees "Unknown" or "Blocked" instead of your digits. This is different from blocking calls — that stops someone from reaching you. This stops someone from seeing who you are.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a phone number hides your number for that single call on most carriers in the United States and Canada.
  • You can set your phone to hide your number on every call by going to Settings and turning off caller ID, though the exact path varies by phone type.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for a permanent block, while the per-call code *67 is free.
  • The person you call may still see your number if they have a service that unblocks hidden numbers, or if you call a business with special equipment.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the call from being traced by law enforcement if needed.

Using *67 to hide your number on a single call

The easiest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 when ready before you dial the person's phone number. So if you want to call 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567. This works on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States and Canada with most carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and regional carriers.

When you dial *67, the person you're calling will see "Unknown," "Blocked," "Private," or "Restricted" on their caller ID instead of your number. The call goes through normally — they can still answer and talk to you. The code straightforward prevents your number from being transmitted. If the call doesn't go through, try dialing 1 before the *67, as some phone systems require it.

This method is free on most carriers. You don't need to set anything up in advance — just dial the code each time you want to hide your number. If you forget to dial *67 and realize it after the call connects, it's too late; the number has already been sent.

Blocking your number on every call through your phone settings

If you want your number hidden on all outgoing calls, you can turn off caller ID in your phone's settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID, and turn it off. On an Android phone, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Call Settings, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID, and select Hide Number.

The exact path depends on your phone model and Android version, so if you don't see these options, search your phone's settings for "caller ID" or "show my number." Once you turn it off, every call you make will show as blocked or unknown to the person receiving it.

Keep in mind that turning off caller ID on your phone only works if your carrier supports it. Some carriers require you to contact them directly to enable this feature, and a few charge a monthly fee — typically $1 to $3 — for a permanent block. Call your carrier's customer service to ask whether they offer this and whether there's a cost.

What happens when you block your number

When your number is blocked, the person you call sees "Unknown," "Blocked," "Private," "Restricted," or "No Caller ID" on their phone. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. The block only hides the number; it doesn't prevent the call from going through or change how the conversation works.

Some people have services that unblock hidden numbers or reveal the caller's information anyway. Businesses often have special phone systems that can capture your number even when you've blocked it. If you call a bank, a hospital, or a government office, they may see your real number in their system even though you've hidden it from the person who answers. This is because those organizations use equipment that captures information at a different level than regular caller ID.

When blocking your number might not work

Some carriers and phone systems don't support number blocking, particularly on older landlines or in rural areas. If you dial *67 and the call still shows your number, your carrier may not support the feature. In that case, contact your carrier to ask whether they offer caller ID blocking and how to set it up.

If you're calling from a business phone system or a VoIP service like Google Voice or Skype, the blocking options may be different. Some VoIP services let you choose what number appears when you call, while others don't allow blocking at all. Check your service's settings or contact their support to see what options are available.

Blocking your number does not prevent law enforcement from tracing the call if needed. If you call 911 or contact police, your real number is always sent to them, even if you've blocked it. The same is true for calls to suicide prevention lines and other emergency services — they receive your actual number regardless of blocking.

The difference between blocking your number and blocking calls

Blocking your number means hiding your phone number so the person you call doesn't see it. Blocking calls means preventing someone else from calling you — you're the one doing the blocking, not the hiding. These are two separate features that do opposite things.

If you want to stop someone from calling you, you block their number in your phone's contacts or settings. If you want to hide your number when you call someone, you use *67 or turn off caller ID. The confusion comes from the word "block," which can mean either action depending on who's doing it.

Why someone might want to hide their number

People hide their numbers for many reasons. You might not want a business to have your personal number, or you might be calling someone you don't know well and prefer privacy. You might be calling a service that you don't want to have your information. Some people hide their number when calling back a number that called them, to avoid giving out their information to a potential scammer.

Hiding your number is legal in most situations. However, repeatedly calling someone and hiding your number to harass or threaten them is illegal. If you're using number blocking to avoid giving your information to a legitimate business that needs it — like a doctor's office or a loan company — they may not be able to help you without it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on cell phones and landlines?

Yes, *67 works on both. It works on most carriers in the United States and Canada, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and regional carriers. If it doesn't work on your phone, your carrier may not support it, and you should contact them to ask about other options.

Can someone still see my number if I use *67?

Usually not, but some businesses and organizations have equipment that captures your number at a deeper level than caller ID. Banks, hospitals, and government offices sometimes see your real number in their systems even when you've blocked it. If you need your number to stay hidden from a business, call ahead and ask whether they can see blocked numbers.

What if I turn off caller ID and then want to show my number again?

Go back to the same settings and turn caller ID back on. On iPhone, that's Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. On Android, it's Phone app > Menu > Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID > Show Number. The change takes effect when ready on your next call.

Is it illegal to hide my number?

No, hiding your number is legal. However, using a hidden number to harass, threaten, or repeatedly contact someone against their wishes is illegal. If you're hiding your number for legitimate reasons — privacy, safety, or not wanting a business to have your information — there's nothing wrong with it.

Will blocking my number prevent 911 from seeing who I am?

No. When you call 911, your real number is always sent to the dispatcher, even if you've blocked it on other calls. The same is true for calls to suicide prevention lines and other emergency services. These services need your real number to help you.