You can block your number on individual calls or hide it from all outgoing calls

Most phones let you hide your number in two ways: block it for a single call, or turn on permanent blocking so your number stays hidden on every call you make. The method depends on your phone type and your carrier. On most smartphones, you dial a code before the number. On some carriers, you can toggle a setting in your phone's call settings. Landline users typically call their phone company to request the feature.

Blocking your number does not prevent the person from calling you back — they just won't see your number on their screen. Emergency services (911 in the US) will still receive your number even if blocking is turned on, because they need it to reach you if the call drops.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number on most US carriers to hide your number on a single call.
  • On Android and iPhone, you can turn on permanent blocking in Settings under Call or Phone, though the exact menu name varies by carrier.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for permanent blocking, while others include it free.
  • Landline users need to contact their phone company directly to request blocking, since the feature is managed on their network.
  • Blocked numbers still reach 911 and may not work on some business phone systems that reject private calls.

Using *67 to block your number on a single call

The simplest way to hide your number on one call is to dial *67 before the phone number. This works on most carriers in the United States, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers. Type *67, then the full phone number including area code, then press Call. The recipient will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number.

This method works on both smartphones and traditional phones. It does not require any setup or subscription. If you forget to dial *67, you cannot undo it after the call connects — you would have to hang up and call again with the code.

Some business phone systems and government offices reject calls from blocked numbers automatically, so the call may not go through. If that happens, you can call back without the *67 code.

Turning on permanent blocking in your phone settings

On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Phone, scroll down to Show My Caller ID, and toggle it off. The setting applies to all outgoing calls. If you do not see this option, your carrier may not support it through the phone settings — contact your carrier to request the feature.

On Android, the location varies by manufacturer and carrier. On most phones, go to Settings, tap Apps or Applications, find Phone or Dialer, tap Permissions, and look for a Caller ID or Show Caller ID option. Some Android phones put this setting under Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID. If you cannot find it, search your phone's Settings for "caller ID" to locate it faster.

Once you turn off Show My Caller ID, your number will be hidden on all calls you make. You can turn it back on the same way if you want to show your number again.

Blocking your number through your carrier

If your phone does not have a caller ID blocking option in Settings, or if you use a landline, contact your carrier directly. Most carriers offer a feature called Anonymous Call Rejection or Caller ID Blocking that you can request over the phone or through your online account.

Verizon calls their service "Calling Line ID Blocking" and charges about $3 per month in some states, though some plans include it free. AT&T offers "Calling Number Delivery Blocking" for a similar fee. T-Mobile typically includes blocking free with most plans. Regional carriers and smaller providers have their own names for the service and different pricing.

When you call your carrier, ask whether the feature is free or if there is a monthly charge. Some carriers let you turn it on through your online account or mobile app instead of calling.

What happens when your number is blocked

When you call someone with your number blocked, they see "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "No Caller ID" on their screen instead of your actual number. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. They cannot call your number back using the information on their screen — they would need to know your number another way.

Some people have their phones set to reject calls from blocked numbers automatically. In that case, your call goes to voicemail or does not go through at all. Business phone systems, government offices, and hospitals often reject blocked calls as a security measure.

Your carrier and the phone company receiving the call can still see your real number in their system, even though the recipient cannot. Law enforcement can also obtain your number if needed.

Blocking your number on video calls and messaging apps

Blocking your number on a regular phone call does not hide your identity on apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Meet. Those apps show your account name or the phone number you registered with, regardless of your carrier settings.

To hide your identity on FaceTime, create a new Apple ID that does not use your real name, then use that account for the call. On WhatsApp, your contact name appears instead of your number, so you can set your name to something generic. Zoom and Google Meet show your account display name, which you can change in your account settings before the call.

If you want to use a video or messaging app without revealing any identifying information, create a new account specifically for that purpose using an email address that does not contain your name.

When blocking your number does not work

Some situations prevent number blocking from working. Calls to 911 emergency services always transmit your real number, even if blocking is turned on. Calls to toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866) may not hide your number because those systems are designed to capture caller information. Some businesses and government agencies have systems that reject private calls outright.

If you are calling a business that requires your number to process your call — like a bank or insurance company — they may not connect you if your number is blocked. In those cases, you need to turn off blocking for that specific call or contact the business through another method.

International calls may not support number blocking, depending on the country you are calling and your carrier's agreements with foreign carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does blocking my number prevent someone from calling me back?

No. When you block your number, the person cannot see it on their screen, but they can still answer your call and talk to you. If they want to call you back, they need your number from another source — they cannot get it from the blocked call itself.

Can I block my number on a call to 911?

No. Emergency services always receive your real number, even if blocking is turned on. This is a legal requirement so emergency responders can locate you if the call drops.

Will blocking my number work on all phone systems?

No. Some businesses, government offices, and automated systems reject calls from blocked numbers. If your call does not go through, try calling back without blocking, or contact the business through another method like email or their website.

Does my carrier charge for number blocking?

It depends on your carrier. Some include it free with most plans, while others charge $2 to $5 per month. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service to find out what they offer.

Can someone find out my real number if I block it?

The person you call cannot see your number on their phone. However, your carrier knows your number, and law enforcement can obtain it with a court order. The receiving phone company's system also logs your real number.