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. When you block your number, the recipient cannot see who called them and cannot call you back using that information — though they can still answer and hear you speak.

People block their numbers for different reasons: to keep their personal number private when calling a business, to avoid callbacks to a number they do not want to share, or straightforward to reduce unsolicited contact. Some workplaces require employees to block their numbers when calling customers. The method you use depends on what kind of phone you have and whether you want to block your number for a single call or for all calls you make.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block your number for one call by dialing *67 before the phone number on most landlines and cell phones in North America.
  • To block your number on all calls, go into your phone's settings — the exact path differs between iPhone, Android, and older phones.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing it; 911 calls always transmit your location and number to dispatchers.
  • Some businesses and government offices refuse to answer calls from blocked numbers, so you may need to unblock before calling them.
  • Your phone carrier may offer a setting to block your number by default, which you can usually change in your account online or by calling customer service.

Blocking your number for a single call using *67

The fastest way to block your number on one call is to dial *67 when ready before you dial the phone number. On most phones in the United States and Canada, this tells your carrier to hide your number from that one recipient. The sequence is: *67, then the area code and phone number, then press call.

This works on both cell phones and landlines. After you press call, you will hear the phone ring normally on your end. The person answering will see a blocked or private number instead of yours. If they do not answer, the call goes to voicemail as usual — but your number will not appear in their missed calls list.

One important limit: *67 does not work on all phone systems. Some carriers, particularly in other countries, use different codes or do not support number blocking at all. If *67 does not work, try *141 or check with your carrier for the correct code in your region. If you are calling from a business phone system or a VoIP service, the blocking method may be different — ask your IT department or service provider.

Blocking your number on all outgoing calls on an iPhone

To hide your number on every call you make from an iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll down to find Phone. Tap Phone, then look for a setting called "Show My Caller ID" or "Display My Number." Turn this setting off. After you do, your number will be blocked on all calls unless you turn it back on.

This setting applies only to calls you make from your iPhone's phone app — it does not affect calls made through other apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime. If you use your iPhone for business and need to show your number sometimes, you can turn this setting back on before making those calls, then turn it off again afterward. The setting stays where you left it until you change it.

Blocking your number on all outgoing calls on Android

The steps on Android vary depending on which version of Android you have and which manufacturer made your phone. Start by opening the Phone app and tapping the three-line menu icon (called a hamburger menu) in the upper left or right corner. Look for Settings or Call Settings.

Once you are in settings, look for an option called "Supplementary Services," "Additional Settings," "Caller ID," or "Show My Number." The exact name changes between phones. Tap that option and look for a setting to hide or block your caller ID. Select the option to block or hide your number, then save. If you cannot find this setting, open your carrier's app — most carriers let you control caller ID blocking there instead.

Blocking your number on older phones and landlines

On older cell phones without a touchscreen, blocking your number for all calls usually means going into the main menu, finding Settings or Tools, then looking for Call Settings or Caller ID. The exact path depends on the phone model. Once you find the caller ID setting, you can choose to hide your number on all calls.

For landline phones, the process depends on your phone service. If you have a traditional landline from a telephone company, call their customer service number and ask them to enable "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" on your account. Some landline services let you block your number by pressing *67 before each call, the same way cell phones work. Others require you to contact the carrier to set it up account-wide.

What happens when you call 911 with your number blocked

Emergency services always receive your phone number and location information when you call 911, even if you have blocked your number on all other calls. The 911 system overrides caller ID blocking because dispatchers need to know where you are and how to reach you if the call drops. This is true whether you dialed *67, have blocking turned on in your settings, or are calling from a blocked number.

For the same reason, some government offices, banks, and businesses refuse to accept calls from blocked numbers because they cannot verify who is calling. If a business tells you they cannot help you because your number is blocked, you will need to unblock it before calling back. Use *82 (in most of North America) to unblock your number for a single call, or turn off the blocking setting in your phone's settings.

When blocking your number might not work

Some phone systems and carriers do not support number blocking, or they charge a monthly fee for the service. If you are calling from a business phone system, a VoIP service like Google Voice, or a phone provided by your employer, the blocking method may be completely different or unavailable. Ask your IT department or service provider what options they offer.

Certain recipients can still see your number even when you block it. Law enforcement, emergency services, and some government agencies have tools that reveal blocked numbers. Additionally, if someone has already saved your number in their phone before you block it, they may see your name instead of "Blocked" when you call — but they still will not be able to call you back using the number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I unblock my number for just one call if I have blocking turned on?

Yes. If you have blocking enabled in your settings, dial *82 before the phone number to show your number for that single call. After the call ends, your number goes back to being blocked on the next call you make.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a blocked or private number, but they will not know whether you blocked it intentionally or whether it is a system-wide setting. They cannot tell the difference between a blocked personal call and a blocked business call.

Can I block my number on text messages?

No. Text messages do not use the same system as voice calls, so *67 and caller ID blocking do not work on SMS. Your number will always appear in text messages you send. Some messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal do not show your phone number at all, only your account name.

What if *67 does not work on my phone?

Try *141 instead, as some carriers use this code. If neither works, call your carrier's customer service and ask what code they use for blocking caller ID, or ask them to enable blocking on your account. You can also check your phone's user manual or the carrier's website for the correct code in your region.

Does blocking my number hide my location?

No. Blocking your caller ID hides only your phone number from the recipient's display. Your location data is separate and is not hidden by this setting. If someone has tools to track your location (like law enforcement with a warrant), blocking your number does not prevent that.