What blocking your number means and how it works

Blocking your number means hiding your phone number from the person you are calling so their phone displays "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your digits. When you block your number, the receiving phone's caller ID system does not receive your number to display — it receives a signal that the number is restricted.

This is different from blocking a caller (where you prevent someone from reaching you). You are controlling what information leaves your phone when you initiate the call. The person can still hear you and talk to you; they straightforward cannot see who is calling.

Most phone networks support number blocking through settings on your phone or through a code you dial before the number. The method depends on whether you have a landline, mobile phone, or VoIP service, and whether you want to block your number for every call or just one call at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block your number for a single call by dialing *67 before the phone number on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States.
  • To block your number on every call, go to your phone's settings, find the caller ID option, and select "Hide Number" or "Block Caller ID."
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for permanent number blocking, while the per-call method (*67) is free on most networks.
  • The person you call may still see your number if they have a service that unblocks restricted calls, or if you call a business with special equipment.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing your location or number when you call 911.

Blocking your number for a single call using *67

The fastest way to hide your number on one call is to dial *67 before you dial the phone number. On most landlines and mobile phones in the United States, this code tells your carrier to suppress your caller ID for that call only.

The steps are straightforward: pick up your phone, dial *67, then when ready dial the full phone number you want to reach (including the area code). Press call. The recipient will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on their phone instead of your number. After the call ends, your number blocking stops — the next call you make will display your number normally unless you dial *67 again.

This method works on most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and regional carriers. However, some carriers or phone plans may not support it, and a few business phone systems or government agencies may have equipment that unblocks restricted numbers anyway. The code is free to use on most networks.

Blocking your number on every call through phone settings

If you want your number hidden for all outgoing calls, you can change your phone's settings instead of dialing a code each time. The location of this setting varies depending on your phone type.

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID. Toggle this setting off. Your number will now be hidden on every call you make. To turn it back on, return to the same menu and toggle it on again.

On an Android phone, the path depends on your manufacturer and version of Android. Generally, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Call Settings, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID. Select "Hide Number" or "Private Number." Some Android phones place this setting under a different name — if you cannot find it, search your phone's settings for "caller ID" or "show my number."

On a landline, call your phone company's customer service line. They can enable permanent number blocking on your account, though some carriers charge a monthly fee (typically $3 to $5) for this service. Ask whether the fee applies to your plan before requesting the change.

When blocking your number may not work

Blocking your number does not always prevent the recipient from seeing it. Some businesses, government offices, and law enforcement agencies have equipment that automatically unblocks restricted numbers. Banks, hospitals, and utility companies often have this capability.

Additionally, if the person you are calling has subscribed to a service that unblocks restricted calls (sometimes called "Anonymous Call Rejection" or similar), they may see your number anyway. These services are less common on personal phone lines but more common in business settings.

If you call 911 or reach an emergency service, your number and location will always be visible to them regardless of whether you have blocked your number. This is a legal requirement so emergency responders can reach you if the call is disconnected.

Blocking your number on VoIP and internet-based phones

If you use a VoIP service like Google Voice, Skype, or a business phone system, the method for blocking your number differs from traditional phones. Most VoIP services have a settings menu where you can toggle caller ID on or off.

In Google Voice, open the app or website, go to Settings, then Calls, then Caller ID, and select "Hide My Caller ID." In Skype, go to Settings, then Privacy, then find the caller ID option. Some VoIP services do not support number blocking at all — check your service's help documentation or contact their support team to confirm.

If you use a business phone system provided by your employer, ask your IT department or phone administrator whether number blocking is available and how to enable it. Some business systems restrict this feature for compliance or security reasons.

The difference between blocking your number and other privacy options

Blocking your number is not the same as blocking a caller. When you block a caller, you prevent that specific person from reaching you — their calls go to voicemail or are rejected. When you block your number, you are hiding your identity from someone you are calling.

It is also different from using a private or masked number service, which assigns you a temporary number that routes to your real phone. Services like Google Voice or Skype give you a separate number to share with people, keeping your actual phone number private. These services are useful if you want to maintain privacy over time without hiding your number on every call.

Call recording and call encryption are separate privacy tools. Blocking your number controls what the recipient sees; it does not encrypt the conversation or prevent the call from being recorded by the other person.

Why someone might block their number

People block their numbers for many reasons. Some want privacy when calling businesses or services they do not want to be contacted by later. Others block their number when calling a business to avoid being added to a callback list or marketing database. Parents sometimes block their numbers when calling their children's schools to avoid having their personal number shared with other families.

Blocking your number can also be useful if you are calling from a shared phone, a work phone, or a temporary number and do not want the recipient to have your actual contact information. However, blocking your number may make the recipient less likely to answer, since many people do not pick up calls from unknown or blocked numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phone carriers?

*67 works on most major carriers in the United States, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. However, some regional carriers, prepaid services, or older phone systems may not support it. If *67 does not work on your phone, contact your carrier to ask whether they support per-call number blocking and what code to use instead.

Can someone trace my number if I block it?

A regular person cannot trace a blocked number from a normal phone call. However, law enforcement and emergency services can trace blocked calls because they have access to carrier records. If you are concerned about being traced for safety reasons, blocking your number alone is not sufficient — contact a domestic violence hotline or law enforcement for additional protection options.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

Yes, they will see that your number is blocked or unknown. They will not know it is you specifically unless you tell them during the call. Some people do not answer calls from blocked numbers, so blocking your number may reduce the chance they pick up.

Does blocking my number cost money?

Using *67 for individual calls is free on most carriers. Enabling permanent number blocking through your phone's settings is also free on mobile phones. However, some landline carriers charge a monthly fee ($3 to $5) to block your number on every call — ask your carrier whether this applies to your plan.

What happens if I block my number and call 911?

Emergency services will always see your number and location, even if you have number blocking enabled. This is a legal requirement so they can reach you if needed. Do not worry about your privacy when calling 911 — your safety is the priority.