Block your number before the call goes through

You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling in two ways: block it for a single call, or block it for all outgoing calls. The method depends on your phone type and your carrier. On most phones, blocking your number for one call takes about five seconds. Blocking it permanently takes a few minutes and a call to your carrier, or a trip into your phone's settings.

The person receiving your call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number. They won't know who called unless you tell them. This is different from blocking incoming calls — that stops calls from reaching you. This is about preventing your number from showing up on someone else's phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Add *67 before the number on most landlines and older cell phones to block your number for a single call.
  • iPhone users can turn on "Hide My Caller ID" in Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID, then toggle it off.
  • Android users can go to Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID and select "Hide Number."
  • Your carrier may charge a monthly fee (usually $3 to $5) to block your number on all calls, or offer it free as part of your plan.
  • Emergency calls to 911 will show your real number even if you've blocked it, because dispatchers need to locate you.

Block your number on a single call

The fastest way is to use a code before you dial. On most phones — landlines, older cell phones, and some newer ones — type *67 before the phone number, then press call. Your number will be blocked for that call only. The next call you make will show your number again unless you use *67 again.

On some carriers and phone systems, #31# works instead of *67. If *67 doesn't work on your phone, try #31#. You'll know immediately — the person will either see your number or see "Unknown" or "Private."

This method works on most landlines and basic cell phones. It may not work on all carriers or in all countries. If you're calling from outside the United States, check with your carrier first, because the code may be different.

Block your number on all calls from an iPhone

Open Settings and tap Phone. Scroll down to find "Show My Caller ID" and toggle it off. Your number will now be hidden on every call you make from this phone. You can turn it back on the same way whenever you want.

This setting affects only calls made through your phone's native calling app. If you use a third-party app like WhatsApp or Skype, those apps have their own privacy settings and may show your number or a username instead. Check the app's settings separately if you want to hide your number there too.

Block your number on all calls from an Android phone

The exact path varies by phone maker, but the general route is: open Settings, find Calls or Phone, look for Additional Settings or Call Settings, then find Caller ID or Show Caller ID. Select "Hide Number" or toggle off "Show My Number." Your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls.

Some Android phones put this setting under Settings > Apps > Phone > Permissions, or under Settings > Advanced Features. If you can't find it in the obvious places, search your phone's Settings app for "caller ID" or "hide number" — most phones have a search box at the top of Settings.

Block your number through your carrier

If you want to block your number on all calls and your phone doesn't have a built-in setting, or if you want a backup method, call your carrier's customer service. Ask them to enable "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" (the names vary by carrier). Most carriers offer this for a monthly fee of $3 to $5, though some include it free with certain plans.

Your carrier can also block your number on a temporary basis if you ask. Some carriers let you manage this through their website or app instead of calling. Check your carrier's website to see if you can turn it on yourself — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers offer online account management.

What happens when you block your number

The person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" on their phone instead of your number. They can still answer the call and talk to you. They won't be able to call you back using the call history on their phone, because there's no number to dial. If they want to reach you, you'll have to give them your number or contact information directly.

Some people have settings that reject calls from blocked or unknown numbers. If that's the case, your call may go straight to voicemail. You won't know whether they rejected it or simply didn't answer. If you need to reach someone and your blocked call doesn't go through, try calling again without blocking your number.

When your number will show up even if it's blocked

Emergency calls to 911 always show your real number and location to the dispatcher, even if you've blocked your number on all calls. This is a legal requirement — dispatchers need to know where you are to send help. The same rule applies in most countries.

Some businesses and government offices also have systems that can see your real number even if you've blocked it, though they won't display it to the person who answers. If you're calling a bank, hospital, or government agency, assume they may see your real number in their system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number if I'm calling from a business phone?

It depends on your phone system. Modern business phone systems often allow employees to block their personal number or show a main company number instead. Ask your IT department or phone system administrator. Some older business systems don't allow blocking at all.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

They'll see that the call came from a blocked or unknown number, so they'll know you didn't want to show your number. They won't know who you are unless you tell them. Some people assume a blocked call is spam or a telemarketer and won't answer.

Can I block my number on text messages?

No. Text messages don't have a built-in blocking feature like phone calls do. Your number will always show up on a text message. If you want to send an anonymous text, you'd need to use a third-party app or service designed for that purpose.

What if *67 doesn't work on my phone?

Try #31# instead — it works on some carriers and phone types. If neither code works, your carrier may not support single-call blocking, or your phone plan may have it disabled. Call your carrier's customer service to ask if they can enable it or offer an alternative.

Does blocking my number cost money?

Blocking a single call with *67 or #31# is free. Blocking your number on all calls through your carrier usually costs $3 to $5 per month, though some plans include it at no extra charge. Blocking through your phone's settings (iPhone or Android) is always free.