What disabling Caller ID actually does

Disabling Caller ID on iPhone hides your phone number from the person you are calling. Instead of your number appearing on their screen, they see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" — depending on their phone and carrier. This is different from blocking someone: you can still reach them, but they cannot see who is calling.

iPhone gives you two ways to do this. You can hide your number on every call you make, or you can hide it only for specific calls. The method you choose depends on whether you want the setting to stay on permanently or just use it occasionally.

Key Takeaways

  • You can hide your caller ID through Settings by turning off "Show My Caller ID," which hides your number on all outgoing calls.
  • To hide your number on a single call, dial *67 before the phone number, then press Call.
  • Your carrier may override your setting if you have unpaid bills or other account issues, so contact them if your number still shows.
  • The person you call will still see that a call came in — they just will not see your number attached to it.
  • Some businesses and government offices reject calls from hidden numbers, so you may not reach them this way.

Hide your number on every call through Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Phone. Look for the option labeled "Show My Caller ID" — it will have a toggle switch next to it. Tap the toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, meaning your caller ID is now hidden on all calls you make.

From this point forward, your number will not display when you call anyone. If you change your mind later, return to the same screen and toggle "Show My Caller ID" back on. The setting takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart your phone or do anything else.

Keep in mind that this setting hides your number from the person receiving the call, but your carrier still knows who you are. Phone records on your bill will still show the numbers you called, and emergency services can still identify you if you call 911.

Hide your number on a single call using *67

If you want to hide your number just once without changing your settings, use the *67 code. Open the Phone app and tap the keypad. Type *67, then type the phone number you want to call. Press the green Call button. Your number will be hidden for that call only.

After the call ends, your caller ID setting returns to whatever it was before. If you normally show your caller ID, the next call you make will show your number again. This method works on any iPhone and does not require you to change any settings.

The *67 method works with most carriers in the United States and Canada. If it does not work, your carrier may have disabled it on your account, or you may be calling a number that blocks hidden callers automatically.

Why some calls may not go through with a hidden number

Many businesses, government offices, and customer service lines automatically reject calls from hidden numbers. Banks often do this for security reasons. If you call your bank with your caller ID hidden, the call may not connect, or you may be asked to reveal your number before proceeding.

If you need to reach a business or government office, try calling with your number visible. You can always turn your caller ID back on in Settings, or use a different phone number if you have one. If you are calling from a business line or shared phone, the person answering may need to see your number to route your call correctly.

What your carrier can override

Your iPhone setting controls whether your number displays, but your carrier has the final say. If you have unpaid bills, fraud alerts on your account, or other issues, your carrier may force your number to show regardless of your iPhone settings. This is rare, but it happens.

If you have turned off "Show My Caller ID" but your number is still appearing on calls, contact your carrier. Ask them to check whether they have overridden your setting. They can tell you why and whether it is temporary or permanent. Most carriers will restore your setting once the account issue is resolved.

The difference between hiding Caller ID and blocking someone

Hiding your caller ID and blocking a contact are two separate things. When you hide your caller ID, you are calling the person normally — they just cannot see your number. When you block someone, the call does not go through to them at all, and they may get a message that the call could not be completed.

If you want to call someone without them knowing it is you, hide your caller ID. If you want to prevent someone from calling you, block their number instead. You can do both to the same person if you want — hide your number when you call them, and block them from calling you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will 911 know who I am if I call with my caller ID hidden?

Yes. Emergency services can identify you even if your caller ID is hidden, because your carrier provides your information directly to 911. Your location is also sent to emergency dispatch. Never hide your caller ID when calling 911.

Can I hide my caller ID on FaceTime calls?

No. FaceTime calls always show your name and contact information to the person you are calling. The *67 code and the "Show My Caller ID" setting only work for regular phone calls, not FaceTime or other apps.

What if the person I call tries to call me back?

They cannot call you back because they do not have your number. If they try to return the call, it will fail. If you want them to be able to reach you, you will need to tell them your number or call them again with your caller ID visible.

Does hiding my caller ID cost extra?

No. Hiding your caller ID is a free feature included with your phone service. Your carrier does not charge you to use *67 or to turn off "Show My Caller ID" in Settings.

Will my caller ID stay hidden if I switch phones?

If you turn off "Show My Caller ID" in Settings, that setting is stored on your iPhone. If you get a new iPhone and sign in with the same Apple ID, the setting may transfer over, but it is not may provide. Check your Phone settings on the new phone to be sure.