Block your number on a single call or all calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling in two ways: block it for just one call, or block it for every call you make. The method depends on your phone type and what your carrier allows.

On most phones, you can add a code before the number to hide your caller ID for that single call. If you want to block your number permanently, you can usually change a setting in your phone's call settings or contact your carrier to request it network-wide. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for permanent blocking, while others include it free.

The catch: the person you're calling may not see your number, but they can still choose not to answer calls from blocked or unknown numbers. And if you're calling a business, government office, or emergency service, they may require your real number to process the call.

Key Takeaways

  • On most phones, dial *67 before the number to block your caller ID for a single call.
  • You can set your phone to hide your number on all outgoing calls through your phone's settings or by contacting your carrier.
  • Some carriers offer permanent number blocking free, while others charge a monthly fee or require you to enable it per call.
  • Businesses, government offices, and emergency services may refuse calls from blocked numbers or require you to unblock before they help you.
  • The person you call can still reject unknown or blocked calls, so hiding your number does not may provide they will answer.

Block your number on a single call with *67

The simplest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 before the phone number. This works on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States and Canada. Type *67, then the full number you want to call (including the area code), and press call.

The person you're calling will see "Unknown," "Blocked," "Private," or "Restricted" instead of your number. This blocks your caller ID for that call only — your next call will show your number normally unless you use *67 again.

If *67 doesn't work on your phone, try #31# before the number instead. Some carriers and phone types respond to one code or the other. If neither works, contact your carrier to ask which code they support.

Hide your number on all calls through your phone settings

Most smartphones let you hide your caller ID on every call you make. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID. Turn this toggle off, and your number will be blocked on all outgoing calls.

On Android, the steps vary by phone model and carrier. Generally, open the Phone app, tap the three-line menu, go to Settings, then Call Settings, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID. Select "Hide Number" or "Private Number." If you don't see these options, your carrier may not support it through the phone settings.

Once you turn this on, you'll need to turn it back off if you want your number to show again. This setting stays in place until you change it, so you won't need to use *67 every time.

Request permanent blocking from your carrier

You can also contact your phone carrier directly and ask them to block your number at the network level. This means your number will be hidden on every call, no matter what phone you use on that account.

Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask for "caller ID blocking" or "anonymous calling." Some carriers include this free, while others charge $1 to $3 per month. A few carriers require you to enable it through your account online instead of by phone.

If you change your mind, you can call back and ask them to turn it off. This usually takes effect within a day or two.

When blocking your number won't work

Some places will not accept calls from blocked numbers. Banks, government offices, hospitals, and many businesses require your real number to process your call. If you call them with your number blocked, they may hang up or ask you to unblock and call back.

Emergency services (911 in the US) can sometimes trace blocked calls, but they may ask you to unblock your number to confirm your location or identity. If you're calling 911, do not block your number.

Toll-free numbers (1-800, 1-888, etc.) sometimes reject blocked calls. If you're trying to reach a business and they won't accept your blocked call, unblock your number and try again.

What the person you call will see

When you block your number, the person you're calling will see one of these on their phone: "Unknown," "Blocked," "Private," "Restricted," "No Caller ID," or a similar message. They won't see your actual phone number.

Many people don't answer calls from blocked numbers because they assume it's spam or a scam. If you're calling someone you know, it's often better to let your number show so they recognize you and pick up. If you need to hide your number for privacy reasons, consider texting first to let them know you'll be calling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones?

*67 works on most landlines and mobile phones in the US and Canada, but not all carriers support it. If *67 doesn't work, try #31#. If neither works, contact your carrier to ask which code they support or whether they offer caller ID blocking another way.

Can someone trace a blocked call?

Law enforcement and emergency services can sometimes trace blocked calls through the phone network, even if the caller ID is hidden. Regular people cannot. However, if someone is harassing you, they may be able to report the calls to their carrier or police, who can investigate.

Will blocking my number stop spam filters?

No. Spam filters on phones and business phone systems may actually be more likely to reject calls from blocked numbers because they can't verify who's calling. If you're calling a business and they're not picking up, try unblocking your number.

Does blocking my number hide my location?

Blocking your caller ID hides your phone number, but it does not hide your location from your carrier or from law enforcement if they have a warrant. Your location data is separate from your caller ID.

Can I block my number on text messages?

No. Text messages don't use caller ID in the same way phone calls do. When you text someone, they will always see your phone number, even if you've blocked it for calls. Some messaging apps let you hide your number, but standard SMS texts cannot be blocked.