What blocking your number means and why you might do it

When you block your phone number, the person you call sees "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on their screen instead of your actual number. Your voice still reaches them — the call goes through normally — but they cannot see who is calling. This is different from blocking a caller (where you prevent their calls from reaching you at all).

People block their numbers for practical reasons: calling a business where you do not want them to have your personal number, reaching someone after a disagreement without identifying yourself first, or protecting your privacy during a sensitive conversation. Some workplaces require employees to block numbers when calling customers. The method you use depends on your phone type and whether you want to block your number for a single call or all calls.

Key Takeaways

  • On most phones, you can block your number for one call by dialing *67 before the number (in the US and Canada); the exact code varies by country and carrier.
  • To block your number on all outgoing calls, you must change a setting in your phone's call settings or contact your carrier — the method differs between iPhone, Android, and landline phones.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee to block your number on all calls, while blocking a single call is always free.
  • The person you call may still see your number if they use a service that unblocks private calls, or if you are calling from a business line that is required to display a number.

Blocking your number for a single call on any phone

The fastest way to hide your number on one call is to use a code before dialing. In the United States and Canada, dial *67 before the phone number, then press call. For example, if you are calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567. The recipient will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number.

This method works on most landlines and mobile phones in North America. The code is free and does not require any setup. If the call does not go through or the recipient still sees your number, your carrier may not support this feature, or you may be calling a business line that overrides the block. A few carriers in rural areas do not offer this service.

Outside the US and Canada, the code is different. In the UK and many European countries, use #31# before the number. In Australia, use 1831. If you are unsure of your country's code, contact your phone carrier directly — they can tell you the correct prefix in under a minute.

Blocking your number on all calls from an iPhone

To hide your number on every call you make from an iPhone, open Settings, then tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch to Off. From that point forward, your number will be blocked on all outgoing calls unless you turn the setting back on.

This setting works only if your carrier supports it. Some carriers, particularly smaller regional ones, do not offer this feature or charge a monthly fee (usually $1 to $3). If you toggle the setting off and your number still appears on calls, contact your carrier to confirm they support caller ID blocking and that the feature is active on your account.

If you want to unblock your number for a specific call after turning on this setting, dial *82 before the number. This overrides your default setting for that one call only.

Blocking your number on all calls from an Android phone

The steps vary depending on your phone manufacturer and which version of Android you have. On most Android phones, open Settings, then tap Apps or Applications. Find and tap Phone. Tap Permissions or Advanced, then look for Caller ID or Show Caller ID. Toggle it off.

If you cannot find this setting, your phone may not have a built-in option. Instead, contact your carrier — they can block your number from their end, though this usually requires a phone call to customer service. Some carriers offer a free option; others charge a small monthly fee.

Samsung phones sometimes place this setting in a different location. On Samsung devices, open Phone, tap the three-dot menu, tap Settings, then tap Supplementary Services and look for Show My Number or Caller ID. The exact wording depends on your model and carrier.

Blocking your number on a landline or home phone

If you have a traditional landline, you cannot use *67 or phone settings to block your number. Instead, contact your phone company directly. Most landline carriers offer a service called Caller ID Blocking or Anonymous Call Rejection that you can set up by phone or online. The process takes a few minutes, and the service is usually free or costs $1 to $2 per month.

Once activated, your number will be blocked on all calls. To unblock it for a specific call, dial *82 before the number. If your carrier does not offer this service, ask whether they have an alternative — some older systems do not support caller ID blocking at all.

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. They can still answer the call and hear you normally. The call quality and connection are the same as an unblocked call.

Some people use services that claim to "unblock" private calls and reveal the actual number. These services are not always reliable and do not work on all phone systems. Businesses and government offices sometimes use these services, so if you are calling a large organization, they may still see your number even though you blocked it. Additionally, if you are calling from a business phone line, your company's main number may display instead of your personal number, overriding your block.

The person you call cannot call you back using the number they see on their screen — there is no number to call back. If they want to reach you, they would need to know your actual number or contact you through another method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call is from a blocked or private number, but they will not know it is specifically you unless you tell them. They may assume it is a telemarketer, a business, or someone calling from a private line.

Can I block my number when texting?

No. Text messages always show your phone number or contact name to the recipient. There is no standard way to send a text anonymously from a regular phone number. If you need to send an anonymous message, you would need to use a third-party app or online service designed for that purpose.

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

Some businesses and government offices reject calls from blocked numbers automatically. If your call is rejected, try calling again without blocking your number, or contact the organization through their website or a different phone line to ask whether they accept private calls.

Does blocking my number cost money?

Blocking a single call with *67 is always free. Blocking your number on all calls may be free or cost $1 to $3 per month, depending on your carrier. Contact your phone company to confirm whether they charge a fee and what it is.

Can I block my number on calls to 911 or emergency services?

No. Emergency services require your actual number to locate you and call you back if the line disconnects. If you try to block your number when calling 911, the block will not work — your number will display to the dispatcher regardless.