You can hide your number on most text messages, but the method depends on your phone type and carrier
Blocking your number on a text message is different from blocking someone from texting you. When you block your number, you're preventing the recipient from seeing who sent the message — your phone number stays hidden. On most phones, this happens automatically when you text from an app rather than your carrier's default messaging service, or you can manually hide it through your phone's settings or by using a third-party texting app.
The catch: if you're texting from your carrier's standard SMS or MMS service (the default Messages app on most phones), your number will show up unless you change a setting or use a different method. Some carriers let you disable caller ID for texts the same way you would for calls. Others don't offer this option at all, which means you'd need to use a separate app to send anonymous texts.
Key Takeaways
- Your number appears on texts sent through your carrier's default messaging app unless you use a setting or app to hide it.
- Android and iPhone both have built-in options to hide your number, but availability depends on your carrier and phone model.
- Third-party texting apps like Google Voice, TextNow, or Burner let you send texts from a different number that masks your real one.
- Hiding your number on a single text is usually not possible — the setting typically applies to all outgoing messages until you turn it back on.
- Some carriers charge a fee or require a plan change to disable caller ID for texts, while others include it at no cost.
How to hide your number on iPhone
On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Toggle this off, and your number will be hidden on both calls and texts sent through your carrier's default service. This setting applies to all outgoing messages until you turn it back on.
Not all carriers support this feature. If you don't see the option, contact your carrier directly — they may need to enable it on your account, or they may not offer it at all. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers do support it, but the availability can vary by plan.
If your carrier doesn't support hiding caller ID, you can use Google Voice (free, requires a Google account) or iMessage settings to send texts from a masked number. Google Voice gives you a separate phone number that masks your real one when you text or call.
How to hide your number on Android
On Android, the process varies by manufacturer and carrier. For most phones, go to Settings > Call Settings or Phone > Additional Settings > Caller ID, then select Hide Number. Some Samsung phones use Settings > Advanced Features > Caller ID.
Like iPhone, this setting hides your number on both calls and texts through your carrier's service. It applies to all outgoing messages until you disable it. If you can't find the option in your phone's settings, your carrier may not support it, or you may need to contact them to enable it on your account.
Android users also have straightforward access to Google Voice, which is built into many Android phones. You can set Google Voice as your default texting app, and all messages will appear to come from your Google Voice number instead of your real phone number.
Using apps to send texts from a hidden or different number
Google Voice is free and works on both iPhone and Android. You sign up with a Google account, get assigned a phone number, and can text from that number instead of your real one. The recipient sees the Google Voice number, not your actual phone number. Messages are sent over data or Wi-Fi, so they don't count against your text message plan.
TextNow is another free option that gives you a separate phone number for texting and calling. It works on both platforms and lets you choose your area code. Like Google Voice, it uses data rather than your carrier's SMS service.
Burner is a paid app (usually a few dollars per month) that creates temporary phone numbers. Each number can be set to expire after a certain time, which is useful if you want to text someone without giving out your real number and then delete the number later. It's more private than Google Voice because the number is temporary and not tied to your main account.
All three of these apps work over data or Wi-Fi, so you need an internet connection to send messages. They're slower than carrier SMS in some cases, and the recipient may see a slight delay before the message arrives.
What happens when you hide your number on a text
When your number is hidden, the recipient sees either nothing in the sender field, a generic label like "Unknown" or "Private Number," or (if you're using an app) a different phone number than your real one. They cannot call you back to that number unless you're using an app that provides a callback number.
Some phones and carriers filter hidden-number texts more aggressively than normal texts, so there's a small chance your message ends up in spam or doesn't arrive at all. This is especially true on iPhone, where messages from unknown numbers sometimes go to a separate folder.
If you hide your number and the recipient tries to reply, the reply goes nowhere — it can't reach you because you didn't provide a number to reply to. If you're using an app like Google Voice, replies go to your Google Voice number, which you can check in the app.
When your carrier might not support hiding your number
Some carriers, particularly smaller regional carriers and some prepaid services, don't offer the option to hide caller ID for texts. If you've checked your phone settings and the option isn't there, contact your carrier's customer service to confirm whether they support it.
Even if your carrier supports it, some plans may not include the feature. You might need to upgrade your plan or add a feature to your account, which could involve a small monthly fee (usually $1 to $3) or no cost at all, depending on the carrier.
If your carrier doesn't support it and you don't want to pay for an upgrade, using a free app like Google Voice is your best option. You'll get a separate number that masks your real one, and it costs nothing beyond your regular data plan.
Hiding your number versus blocking someone
These are two different things. Hiding your number means the recipient can't see who sent the message. Blocking someone means you're preventing them from contacting you — their calls and texts don't reach you, and they may get a notification that you've blocked them (depending on the carrier and phone).
If you want to prevent someone from texting you, you block them in your phone's contacts or messaging app. If you want to text someone without them knowing it's you, you hide your number. You can do both at the same time, but they serve different purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide my number on just one text message?
No. When you hide your number through your phone's settings, it applies to all outgoing texts until you turn the setting back off. If you use an app like Google Voice, every text from that app comes from the app's number, not your real one. There's no built-in way to hide your number on a single message and show it on the next one.
Will the recipient know I hid my number?
They'll see that the sender is unknown or private, or they'll see a different number if you used an app. They won't get a notification that you intentionally hid it — they'll just see that the number isn't available. Some phones filter these messages into a spam or unknown senders folder automatically.
Can I hide my number if I'm using iMessage?
iMessage doesn't have a built-in setting to hide your number. Your Apple ID or phone number shows up as the sender. If you want to send an iMessage from a hidden number, you'd need to use a third-party app like Google Voice instead of the default Messages app.
What if the person I'm texting has my number saved in their contacts?
If they have your number saved, hiding your caller ID won't prevent them from seeing your name in their contacts when you text them — they'll see your saved contact name, not "Unknown." Hiding your number only hides the number itself from appearing on their screen; it doesn't erase you from their address book.
Is it legal to hide my number when texting?
Yes, hiding your caller ID for texts is legal in most places. However, using it to harass, threaten, or defraud someone is illegal. If you're hiding your number for legitimate reasons — like privacy, safety, or business — there's no legal issue. If you're using it to hide your identity while breaking the law, that's a different matter.