What "canceling" caller ID actually means

Caller ID is the system that shows the person receiving your call who is calling them — your phone number and sometimes your name. "Canceling" caller ID means blocking that information so the person you call sees "Unknown" or "Blocked" instead of your number.

This is different from blocking incoming calls. You are not preventing calls from reaching you. You are hiding your outgoing number from the people you contact. The call still goes through normally — they just do not see where it came from.

Most phones let you hide your caller ID on a per-call basis or set it as your default for all calls. The method depends on whether you have a landline, a cell phone, or a VoIP service.

Key Takeaways

  • On most cell phones, you dial *67 before the number to block your caller ID for that single call.
  • To hide your number on all calls, go to your phone settings under Call or Privacy and toggle caller ID off.
  • Landline users typically call their phone company to request permanent caller ID blocking, which may cost a small monthly fee.
  • Emergency calls to 911 always transmit your real number regardless of your caller ID settings.
  • Some recipients can still see your number if they have special services, and businesses may have policies that reject blocked calls.

Blocking caller ID on a single call with *67

The fastest way to hide your number on one call is to use the *67 code. Dial *67, then the phone number you want to call, exactly as you normally would. The recipient will see "Unknown," "Blocked," or "Private Number" instead of your phone number.

This works on most cell phones and landlines in the United States and Canada. It does not work on all carriers or in all countries, so if it fails silently (the call goes through but your number still shows), contact your phone company to confirm they support it.

The *67 code blocks your number for that call only. Your next call will show your number again unless you dial *67 again. This method is useful when you want to hide your number occasionally but do not want to change your default settings.

Hiding your caller ID permanently in phone settings

If you want your number hidden on every call you make, you can change the default in your phone settings. The exact steps depend on your phone type.

On an iPhone: Open Settings, tap Phone, scroll down to Show My Caller ID, and toggle it off. Your number will now be blocked on all outgoing calls unless you turn this setting back on.

On an Android phone: Open Settings, go to Call Settings or Phone Settings (the exact name varies by manufacturer), find Caller ID or Show Caller ID, and toggle it off. Some Android phones put this under Privacy or Advanced Settings instead.

If you cannot find the setting on your phone, your carrier may not allow you to change it through the phone itself. Contact your phone company — they can often set this on their end, though some carriers charge a monthly fee for permanent caller ID blocking.

Caller ID blocking for landline phones

Landline users cannot usually block caller ID through the phone itself. Instead, you contact your phone company and request caller ID blocking or per-call blocking.

Most landline carriers offer two options: permanent blocking (your number is hidden on all calls) or per-call blocking (you dial a code like *67 before each number). Permanent blocking typically costs between $2 and $5 per month, while per-call blocking is usually free.

Call your phone company's customer service number (printed on your bill) and ask what caller ID blocking options they offer. They will walk you through enabling it. Some companies let you manage this through their online account portal instead.

Blocking caller ID on VoIP services

If you use a VoIP service like Google Voice, Skype, or a business phone system, the method depends on which service you use.

Google Voice: Open your Google Voice settings, go to Calls, and toggle "Display outgoing caller ID" off. Your calls will show as blocked or unknown.

Skype: Open settings, find Privacy or Calls, and look for an option to hide your caller ID. Not all Skype accounts have this feature available.

For other VoIP services, log into your account online and search the settings for "caller ID," "display number," or "privacy." If you cannot find it, contact the service's support team — they can often enable it for you.

What happens when you block your caller ID

When your caller ID is blocked, the person receiving your call sees "Unknown," "Blocked," "Private Number," or "Restricted" instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call normally — blocking your number does not prevent the call from going through.

Some people have services that can reveal blocked numbers, though these are uncommon and usually cost extra. Businesses sometimes have policies that automatically reject or send blocked calls to voicemail. If you need someone to answer, you may want to unblock your number for that call.

Emergency calls to 911 always show your real location and number, even if caller ID blocking is on. This is a legal requirement so emergency services can reach you if the call is disconnected.

When caller ID blocking does not work

If you dial *67 and your number still shows up, your carrier may not support the feature. Some prepaid plans, certain regional carriers, and some international services do not allow caller ID blocking.

If your default caller ID setting is off but your number still appears on outgoing calls, check whether you have a setting that overrides it — some phones have a separate "Always show caller ID" option that takes priority. You can also contact your phone company to confirm they support blocking on your account.

Caller ID blocking also does not work on text messages. SMS messages typically show your phone number regardless of your caller ID settings. If you want to hide your number when texting, you would need to use a separate app or service designed for that purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my caller ID on text messages?

No. Text messages show your phone number by default, and most carriers do not offer a way to block it through standard SMS. If you need to send anonymous texts, you would need to use a third-party app or online service designed for that purpose.

Will 911 see my real number if I have caller ID blocking on?

Yes. Emergency calls to 911 always transmit your real phone number and location, even if caller ID blocking is enabled. This is required by law so emergency responders can locate you if needed.

What if someone has a service that reveals blocked numbers?

Some phone services claim to reveal blocked caller IDs, but these are rare and usually cost extra. Most people cannot see a blocked number. If you are concerned about privacy, blocking your number is still effective for the vast majority of recipients.

Does blocking my caller ID prevent people from calling me back?

No. Blocking your outgoing caller ID does not affect incoming calls. People can still call you back if you leave a voicemail or if they have your number saved in their phone. Caller ID blocking only hides your number when you call someone else.

Can my phone company charge me for using *67?

Most carriers do not charge for using *67 on individual calls. However, if you want permanent caller ID blocking on a landline, many carriers charge a monthly fee. Check your phone company's pricing or ask customer service what options are available on your account.