What blocking your number means and why you might do it

Blocking your number means hiding your phone number from the person you are calling so their phone displays "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your digits. The call still goes through — they can answer it — but they cannot see who is calling.

You might block your number to keep your personal phone number private when calling a business, to avoid callbacks to a number you do not want to share, or to prevent someone from using your number for other purposes. Some people block their number when calling a restaurant for a reservation, a doctor's office, or a store they have never dealt with before.

Blocking is different from blocking a contact on your phone. When you block a contact in your phone's settings, that person cannot reach you at all. When you block your outgoing number, you are hiding it from people you are calling.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block your number on a per-call basis by dialing *67 before the number on most landlines and many cell phones in the United States.
  • On iPhone, you can set your phone to hide your number on all calls through Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID, then toggle it off.
  • On Android, the method varies by phone model and carrier, but usually lives in Settings > Calls or Settings > Phone, under a "Caller ID" or "Show My Number" option.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee to block your number on all calls, while the per-call method (*67) is free but must be done each time.
  • Blocking your number does not work when calling emergency services, toll-free numbers, or some businesses that require caller ID for security.

Using *67 to block your number on a single call

The simplest way to block your number on one call is to dial *67 before the phone number you are calling. On most phones in the United States, this tells your carrier to hide your number from that specific call only. Dial *67, then the area code and number, then press call.

This method works on most landlines and many cell phones, though some carriers have stopped supporting it or charge a fee per use. It costs nothing on most major carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers include it at no charge. The person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on their phone instead of your number.

The downside is that you have to remember to dial *67 every single time. If you forget, your number goes through normally. This method also does not work when calling 911, 411, or most toll-free numbers — those systems require caller ID to function.

Hiding your number on all calls on iPhone

On iPhone, you can set your phone to hide your caller ID on every call you make. Open Settings, tap Phone, then look for Show My Caller ID. Toggle it off. From that point forward, your number will be blocked on all outgoing calls unless you turn it back on.

This setting applies to all calls made from your phone — you cannot turn it on and off per call from the iPhone settings menu. If you need to show your number for a specific call, you would have to go back into Settings, turn Show My Caller ID back on, make the call, then turn it off again.

Some carriers may not support this setting, or it may not appear in your Settings menu. If you do not see Show My Caller ID under Phone settings, contact your carrier to ask whether they offer caller ID blocking and how to set it up.

Hiding your number on all calls on Android

On Android phones, the method for blocking your number varies depending on your phone model and carrier. The setting usually lives in the Phone app or in Settings under a name like Caller ID, Show My Number, or Outgoing Caller ID.

On Samsung phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Calls, and look for Caller ID. On Google Pixel phones, open Phone, tap your profile picture, then Settings, then Calls, then Caller ID. On other Android phones, check Settings > Apps > Phone or Settings > Call Settings.

If you cannot find the setting, your carrier may not support caller ID blocking, or the option may be managed through your carrier's website or app instead of your phone's settings. Contact your carrier's customer service to confirm whether the feature is available on your plan.

Carrier-based blocking and monthly fees

Some carriers offer a service called Caller ID Blocking or Anonymous Call Rejection that you can set up through your account rather than through your phone. This is different from the built-in phone settings and may come with a monthly fee — typically $3 to $5 per month, though some carriers include it free.

To set this up, log into your carrier's website or call their customer service line. You can usually manage it from your account settings under a section labeled "Call Settings," "Privacy," or "Caller ID." Some carriers let you toggle it on and off from your phone by dialing a code like *31# to turn it on or #31# to turn it off.

The advantage of a carrier service is that it is managed at the network level rather than on your phone, so it works consistently across all calls and devices on your account. The disadvantage is the monthly cost if your carrier charges for it.

When blocking your number does not work

Blocking your number does not work on all types of calls. Emergency services (911) always receive your real number and location, regardless of whether you have blocking turned on. Toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866 prefixes) often require caller ID to function and will not accept blocked calls. Some businesses, banks, and government offices also require caller ID for security reasons and will reject or not answer calls from blocked numbers.

If you call a business that requires caller ID and your number is blocked, the call may not go through, or you may reach an automated message asking you to unblock your number. In those cases, you would need to turn off caller ID blocking, dial *31# if your carrier supports it, or call from a different phone.

Some carriers have also begun phasing out support for *67 and other blocking codes as part of efforts to reduce spam and robocalls. If *67 stops working on your phone, contact your carrier to ask what alternatives they offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone trace my number if I block it?

No, not through normal means. When you block your number, the recipient's phone does not receive it. Law enforcement and emergency services can trace blocked calls, but a regular person cannot. If someone is harassing you, blocking your number is one layer of protection, though you should also block their contact in your phone and report the behavior to your carrier or local police if it continues.

Will blocking my number prevent someone from calling me back?

Yes. If your number is blocked, the person you called cannot see it and cannot call you back at that number. They would have to know your number from another source. This is useful if you want to call a business without giving them your personal number.

Does *67 work on cell phones and landlines?

*67 works on most cell phones and landlines in the United States, but support varies by carrier. Some carriers have stopped supporting it or charge a fee. The best way to know is to try it — dial *67 plus the number and see if it works. If it does not, contact your carrier to ask what blocking options they offer.

What is the difference between blocking my number and blocking a contact?

Blocking your number hides it from people you are calling. Blocking a contact prevents a specific person from calling or texting you. They are two separate features that do different things. You use blocking your number to protect your privacy when you call out; you use blocking a contact to prevent someone from reaching you.

If I block my number, will the call still go through?

Yes, the call will go through normally. The person will be able to answer it and hear you. The only difference is that they will see "Unknown" or "Blocked" instead of your phone number. Some businesses may not answer blocked calls, but most will.