What blocking your number means and why you might do it

Blocking your number from showing up on someone's phone is called caller ID blocking or hiding your number. When you block your number, the person you call sees "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your phone number. This is different from blocking a contact — you are hiding your identity from them, not preventing them from reaching you.

People block their numbers for many reasons: to keep their personal number private when calling a business, to avoid callbacks to a wrong number, or to contact someone without revealing their identity. Apple's iPhone gives you two ways to do this — one that works for a single call, and one that hides your number on every call you make.

Key Takeaways

  • You can hide your number for one call by dialing *67 before the phone number on any iPhone.
  • To hide your number on all calls, go to Settings, tap Phone, then Caller ID, and toggle off "Show My Caller ID."
  • Your carrier may charge a monthly fee to hide your number on every call, or may not offer the service at all.
  • Blocking your number does not work when calling emergency services, toll-free numbers, or some businesses that require caller ID.
  • The person you call may still see your number if they have a service that reveals blocked numbers, though this is uncommon.

Hiding your number for a single call using *67

The fastest way to block your number on one call is to use a code that works on almost every carrier. Open the Phone app, tap the keypad, and type *67 before you dial the full phone number. For example, if you are calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67555-123-4567 and then press the green call button.

When the person answers, they will see "Unknown" or "Private" instead of your number. This method works once per call — you do not need to turn anything off afterward, and your next call will show your number normally. If the call does not go through, check that you typed *67 at the very beginning, before the area code.

The *67 method works on most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, but some carriers or phone plans may not support it. If you dial *67 and the call fails or your number still shows up, contact your carrier to ask whether they block this feature on your plan.

Hiding your number on every call through Settings

If you want your number hidden on all outgoing calls, you can change this in your iPhone settings. Open the Settings app, scroll down and tap Phone, then tap Caller ID. You will see a toggle next to "Show My Caller ID" — tap it to turn it off. Your number will now be hidden on every call you make.

To turn it back on, go to the same place and toggle "Show My Caller ID" back on. This setting stays in place until you change it, so you do not have to repeat it for each call. If you do not see the Caller ID option in Settings, your carrier may not offer this service, or it may be unavailable on your plan.

What happens when you block your number

When your number is blocked, the person you call sees "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" on their phone screen — the exact wording depends on their phone and carrier. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. They straightforward cannot see your phone number or call you back at that number.

Some people set their phones to reject calls from unknown numbers, so blocking your number might cause your call to go straight to voicemail. If you leave a message, they may not know who called them. For this reason, blocking your number works best when you plan to speak directly to the person, not when you expect them to call you back.

When blocking your number does not work

Caller ID blocking does not work on all types of calls. Emergency calls to 911 always show your location and number, even if you have blocking turned on — this is a legal requirement so emergency services can reach you. Toll-free numbers (those starting with 800, 888, 877, or 866) often require caller ID to complete the call, so blocking may cause the call to fail.

Many businesses, banks, and government offices also require caller ID to process your call. If you are calling a company's customer service line and your number is blocked, the call may drop or you may be asked to unblock your number before continuing. Some people also use third-party services that reveal blocked numbers, though this is uncommon and usually costs extra.

Carrier fees and plan restrictions

Using *67 for individual calls is free on most carriers. However, if you want to hide your number on every call through Settings, your carrier may charge a monthly fee — this typically ranges from a few dollars per month, though some carriers include it free with certain plans. A few carriers do not offer this service at all, regardless of your plan.

Before you turn on "Show My Caller ID" blocking in Settings, contact your carrier to ask whether there is a fee and whether the service is available on your plan. You can find your carrier's customer service number on your bill or on their website. If your carrier does not support it, the *67 method remains your only option for blocking your number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a blocked or unknown number, but they will not receive a notification that you specifically blocked it. If you speak to them, you can tell them who you are. If you do not answer or leave a message, they may not know who called.

Can I block my number when texting?

No. Text messages do not use the same system as phone calls, and there is no way to hide your number when sending an SMS or iMessage. The recipient will always see your phone number or contact name in the message thread.

What if I block my number and the call fails?

Check that you typed *67 before the full phone number, including the area code. If it still fails, the person may have set their phone to reject unknown callers, or your carrier may not support blocking on your plan. Try calling without blocking, or contact your carrier to confirm the service is active.

Does blocking my number hide my identity from my carrier?

No. Your carrier always knows who you are and who you called, even if the other person cannot see your number. Blocking only hides your number from the person receiving the call, not from your carrier or law enforcement.

Can I block my number on FaceTime or WhatsApp calls?

These apps show your contact name or account name, not your phone number, so the blocking methods described here do not explore. If you want to hide your identity on these apps, you would need to use a different account or contact the app's settings to see what privacy options are available.