What blocking your caller ID actually does

Blocking your caller ID hides your phone number from the person you are calling. Instead of your number appearing on their phone screen, they see "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or nothing at all — depending on their phone and carrier. The call still goes through normally; the recipient just cannot see who is calling.

This is different from blocking a caller (which stops their calls from reaching you). You are doing the opposite: you are preventing your number from being visible when you reach out to someone else.

Most phones and carriers let you hide your number on a per-call basis or set it as your default for all outgoing calls. The method depends on what device you use and which carrier provides your service.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block your caller ID on individual calls by dialing *67 before the number on most landlines and some mobile phones.
  • iPhone users can hide their number for all calls through Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID, then toggle it off.
  • Android users can usually find the same setting under Phone app settings or Calling accounts, though the exact path varies by manufacturer and carrier.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee to block your caller ID by default, while per-call blocking is usually free.
  • Blocking your caller ID does not prevent emergency services from seeing your number — 911 always receives it regardless of your settings.

Blocking your number on a single call

The fastest way to hide your number on one call is to dial *67 before the phone number, then press call. This works on most landlines and many mobile phones in the United States and Canada. When the person answers, your number will not appear on their screen.

On some older phone systems or certain carriers, you may need to dial 1167 instead, or the prefix might be different. If *67 does not work, contact your carrier to ask what code they use for per-call blocking.

This method is free on most plans. The person you call will still hear you normally — the blocking only affects what shows on their caller ID display.

Hiding your number on all calls with iPhone

To hide your caller ID for every call you make on an iPhone, open Settings, then tap Phone. Scroll down and look for Show My Caller ID. Tap the toggle to turn it off.

Once you turn this off, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls unless you change the setting back. You can turn it back on the same way — just toggle it on again in the Phone settings.

If you do not see this option, your carrier may not support it, or you may need to contact them to enable the feature on your account. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for this service, while others include it free.

Hiding your number on all calls with Android

On Android phones, the setting location varies depending on your phone manufacturer and carrier. The most common path is to open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu or settings icon, then look for Settings or Call Settings.

From there, find Calling Accounts, Additional Settings, or Supplementary Services — the exact name depends on your phone and carrier. Inside that section, look for an option called Caller ID, Show Caller ID, or Hide Number. Tap it and select the option to hide or block your number.

If you cannot find the setting in the Phone app, try opening Settings on your home screen, then search for "caller ID" or "call settings." If the option still does not appear, your carrier may not offer it, or you may need to contact them to enable it on your account.

What carriers charge and what they do not

Most carriers do not charge for blocking your caller ID on individual calls using *67. This is a free service on nearly every plan.

Blocking your caller ID for all outgoing calls varies by carrier. Some include it free as part of your plan, while others charge between one and three dollars per month. A few carriers offer it only to certain plan types. Contact your carrier directly to ask whether they charge for this feature and how to turn it on if you want it.

If you switch carriers, your caller ID blocking settings may not transfer. You will need to set it up again with your new carrier using their process.

Why blocking your caller ID does not always work

Some people have phones or services that reject calls from blocked numbers automatically. If you call someone and they do not answer, it may be because their phone filtered out your call as spam or unknown. Calling back with your number visible, or asking them to add you to their contacts first, can solve this.

Businesses and government offices often have systems that require a visible caller ID before they will accept the call. If you are calling a bank, hospital, or government agency and your number is blocked, the call may not go through at all.

Caller ID blocking also does not hide your number from law enforcement or emergency services. If you call 911, your location and number are transmitted to the dispatcher regardless of your caller ID settings.

When you might want to block your caller ID

People block their caller ID for many reasons: calling a business where they do not want to be on a callback list, reaching out to someone who may not recognize their number, or straightforward preferring privacy on personal calls.

Blocking your number is legal in most places when you are calling a private person. However, some jurisdictions have rules about blocking your caller ID when calling businesses or government offices. Check your local laws if you plan to block your number regularly for business purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone trace my call if I block my caller ID?

Law enforcement and emergency services can trace your call regardless of caller ID blocking. Private individuals cannot trace a blocked call through normal means, but they could potentially work with their carrier or law enforcement if the call is threatening or harassing.

Will *67 work on my cell phone?

*67 works on most cell phones in the United States and Canada, but some carriers have disabled it or charge a fee. Try it on one call to see if it works on your plan. If it does not, contact your carrier to ask what code they use or whether they offer per-call blocking.

What if I block my caller ID and the person does not answer?

Many people do not answer calls from unknown or blocked numbers because they assume it is spam. If you need them to answer, call back with your number visible, send a text first to let them know you are calling, or ask them to add your number to their contacts beforehand.

Does blocking my caller ID cost money?

Blocking your number on individual calls with *67 is free on most plans. Setting it as your default for all calls may be free or cost one to three dollars per month, depending on your carrier. Contact your carrier to ask what they charge.

Can I block my caller ID on text messages?

No. Caller ID blocking only works on voice calls. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient, and there is no standard way to hide it. Some messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal do not display your phone number, but standard SMS texts do.