You can hide your number on most phones by dialing *67 before the number, or by changing your phone settings

When you call someone, your phone number shows up on their caller ID by default. If you want to hide it for a single call, dial *67 before the phone number you're calling. The recipient will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number. This works on most landlines and cell phones in the United States and Canada.

If you want to block your number on every call you make, you can change the setting in your phone's dialer or contact your phone company to request permanent blocking. The steps differ depending on whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, or a traditional carrier account.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a phone number hides your caller ID for that single call on most U.S. and Canadian phones.
  • Some phone companies charge a small monthly fee to block your number on all outgoing calls, while others offer it free.
  • The recipient may still see your number if they have a service that unblocks private calls, or if you're calling a business with special equipment.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the call from going through — it only hides the number that appears on their screen.

How *67 works and when it does not work

The *67 code is a feature built into most phone networks in North America. When you dial it before a number, it tells the phone network to withhold your caller ID information from the person you're calling. You dial it the same way you dial any other code: *67, then the full phone number including the area code, then press call.

The *67 block does not work on all calls. Emergency services (911) will always receive your number, even if you dial *67 first — this is a legal requirement. Some businesses, government offices, and toll-free numbers have equipment that unblocks private calls or requires you to enter your number before the call connects. If the recipient has paid for a service that reveals blocked numbers, they may see your number anyway, though this is less common now.

If a call fails because the recipient's phone system rejected the blocked number, you'll usually hear a message saying the call cannot be completed as dialed. You can then call back without *67 if you want the call to go through.

Blocking your number on every call through your phone settings

If you have an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID. Turn off the toggle. Your number will be hidden on all calls you make. To turn it back on, return to the same setting and toggle it on.

If you have an Android phone, the setting location varies by manufacturer and phone model. On most Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-line menu (hamburger icon), go to Settings, then Call Settings, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID. Select "Hide number" or "Private number." Some Android phones put this setting under a different name or location — if you cannot find it, search your phone's settings for "caller ID" or "hide number."

These phone settings hide your number on every call you make from that phone. If you change your mind, you can turn the setting back on the same way.

Blocking your number through your phone company

If you want to block your number on a landline or if your phone's built-in settings do not have a caller ID option, contact your phone company directly. Most carriers offer a service called Caller ID Blocking or Anonymous Call Rejection. Some charge a monthly fee (typically $2 to $5), while others offer it free as part of your plan.

Call your phone company's customer service number — it's usually on your bill or on their website. Tell them you want to block your caller ID on outgoing calls. They can set up it when ready over the phone. You can usually still dial *67 on individual calls even if you have permanent blocking turned on, which will unblock your number for that one call if you need to.

If you're on a prepaid or pay-as-you-go phone plan, check your carrier's website or call their support line to see if caller ID blocking is available. Some prepaid carriers do not offer this feature.

Why someone might want to block their number

People block their numbers for different reasons. You might not want a business to have your personal number, or you might be calling someone you do not know well and prefer privacy on a first contact. Some people block their number when calling customer service lines to avoid being added to marketing lists. Parents sometimes block their number when calling their adult children to avoid the call being screened.

Blocking your number is legal in the United States and Canada for personal calls. However, some states have laws about how often you can call the same person with a blocked number, and businesses may have policies about accepting blocked calls. If you're calling for a legitimate reason, blocking your number should not cause problems — but if someone repeatedly calls with a blocked number and hangs up, that can be treated as harassment.

What the person you're calling sees

When you call with a blocked number, the recipient's phone screen will display one of these: "Private," "Blocked," "Unknown," "Restricted," or "Anonymous." The exact wording depends on their phone and carrier. They will not see your actual phone number.

Many people do not answer calls from blocked numbers because they assume it's spam or a scam. If you're calling someone who knows you and is expecting your call, it's worth telling them in advance that you'll be calling with a blocked number so they answer. If you're calling a business or someone who does not know you, a blocked number might make them less likely to pick up.

The difference between blocking and other privacy features

Blocking your number (hiding your caller ID) is different from blocking a caller (preventing someone from calling you). When you block a caller, their calls go to voicemail and you do not see their calls in your recent list. When you block your own number, you're hiding your identity from the person you're calling.

It's also different from Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode, which silence your phone or disconnect it from the network entirely. And it's different from a VPN or proxy service, which hide your internet activity — those do not affect phone calls at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone trace my number if I dial *67?

Law enforcement can trace a blocked call if they have a court order, but ordinary people cannot. The phone network still knows your number internally — it's just hidden from the recipient's caller ID. If you call 911, your number is always sent to emergency services regardless of *67.

Will *67 work on my cell phone?

Yes, *67 works on most cell phones in the United States and Canada. Some carriers or phone plans may not support it, so if it does not work, try changing your phone's caller ID setting instead or contact your carrier to ask if they support *67 blocking.

What happens if I block my number and the call does not go through?

Some phone systems reject blocked calls automatically. If this happens, you'll hear a message saying the call cannot be completed. You can try calling again without *67, or you can contact the business or person directly through another method to ask if they accept blocked calls.

If I block my number, can the person call me back?

No, they cannot call you back because they do not have your number. If you want them to be able to reach you, you'll need to unblock your number for that call or provide your number through another method, like text or email.

Does blocking my number cost money?

Using *67 on individual calls is free. Permanent caller ID blocking through your phone company may cost $2 to $5 per month, or it may be free depending on your carrier and plan. Check your phone bill or contact your carrier to see what they charge.