What blocking your number actually does

When you block your phone number, the person you call sees "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on their screen instead of your digits. They still receive the call — it goes through normally — but they cannot see who is calling them. This is different from blocking a caller, which stops their calls from reaching you entirely.

The block happens at the moment you dial. The phone company withholds your number from the recipient's caller ID system. If the person calls you back, they cannot reach you unless you unblock your number for that call or for all future calls.

Blocking works on landlines and cell phones. The method depends on what device you are using and whether you want to block your number for a single call or for all calls you make.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block your number for one call by dialing *67 before the phone number on most landlines and cell phones in North America.
  • To block your number for all calls, go into your phone's settings — the exact location varies by iPhone, Android, or landline provider.
  • Some phone companies charge a monthly fee to block your number on all outgoing calls, while blocking a single call is always free.
  • The person you call will still receive your call; they straightforward will not see your number on their screen.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the recipient from using call-tracing tools or reporting the call to their phone company.

Blocking your number for a single call

The fastest way to hide your number on one call is to dial *67 when ready before the phone number. Type *67, then the area code and number, then press call. The recipient will see a blocked or private number instead of yours.

This method works on most landlines and cell phones in the United States and Canada. It costs nothing and does not require any setup. If the call does not go through or the number still appears, your phone company may not support this feature, or you may need to check your account settings.

On some older phone systems or with certain carriers, you may need to dial 1167 instead of *67. If neither works, contact your phone company to ask whether they support per-call blocking.

Blocking your number on all calls from an iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Phone. Tap Phone, then look for "Show My Caller ID" or "Caller ID." Toggle this setting off. Your number will now be hidden on every call you make from this phone.

If you cannot find this setting, your carrier may not offer it, or you may need to contact them to enable it on your account. Some carriers charge a monthly fee — typically $1 to $3 — to block your number on all outgoing calls. Ask your carrier whether the feature is free or paid before you turn it on.

To unblock your number later, return to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it back on.

Blocking your number on all calls from Android

The exact steps vary depending on your phone manufacturer and which version of Android you have. On most Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-line menu (hamburger icon) in the upper left, then tap Settings. Look for "Supplementary Services," "Caller ID," or "Show My Number." Tap that option and select "Hide Number" or toggle off "Show My Caller ID."

If you cannot find this setting in the Phone app, try opening Settings > Apps > Phone > Permissions, or contact your carrier. Some Android phones do not have this feature built in, and your carrier may require you to call them to enable it on your account.

Like iPhone, some carriers charge a monthly fee for this service. Check with your carrier before assuming it is free.

Blocking your number on a landline

If you have a traditional landline through your phone company, call your provider's customer service line and ask them to enable "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" on your account. Some companies call this feature "Per-Line Blocking" or "Permanent Blocking."

Your provider will tell you whether the feature is free or costs extra per month. Once it is enabled, your number will be hidden on all calls you make from that line. You can usually toggle it on and off by dialing *82 to unblock your number for a single call if you need to.

If you only want to block your number on one call, dial *67 before the number, just as you would on a cell phone.

Why blocking your number might not work

Some people and organizations can still see your number even when you block it. Emergency services (911) always receive your real number, regardless of blocking. Government agencies, banks, and some businesses have access to tools that reveal blocked numbers. If someone has your number saved in their phone, they may see your name instead of "Blocked," depending on their phone's settings.

Blocking your number also does not prevent someone from reporting the call to their phone company or to the Federal Communications Commission. If you are harassed or threatened, the recipient can ask their carrier to trace the call, and law enforcement can obtain your number through a court order.

Alternatives if you want more privacy

If blocking your number is not enough privacy for your situation, consider using a separate phone line or a calling app. Google Voice, Skype, and similar services let you make calls from a different number that you control. These apps work on any phone with internet access and give you a number that is not your personal cell phone or landline.

Some people use these services for business calls, to keep work separate from personal calls, or to maintain privacy when contacting unfamiliar people. You can delete the number or stop using it at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number on text messages?

No. Text messages do not use caller ID, so your number always appears in a text. If you want to send a text without revealing your number, use a calling app like Google Voice or Skype, which assigns you a separate number for both calls and texts.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a blocked or private number, but they will not know it was you specifically unless they recognize your voice or you tell them. Blocking your number does not hide your identity — it only hides your phone number from caller ID.

Can I block my number on FaceTime or WhatsApp?

These apps use your phone number or account name, not caller ID. You cannot block your number on these services. If you want to call someone without revealing your identity, use a calling app with a separate number instead.

What does *82 do?

*82 unblocks your number for a single call if you have permanent blocking turned on. Dial *82 before the phone number, and your real number will show on that call only. After the call ends, your number goes back to being blocked on the next call you make.

Does blocking my number cost money?

Blocking a single call with *67 is always free. Blocking your number on all calls may be free or may cost $1 to $3 per month, depending on your phone company. Contact your carrier to ask whether they charge for this feature.