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. On most phones, blocking a single call takes one keystroke before you dial. Blocking all outgoing calls requires a trip into your phone's settings, but you only do it once.

The method depends on whether you have a landline or a mobile phone, and which carrier you use. Both options work the same way they did years ago — the technology hasn't changed much, which means it's reliable and works almost everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • On most phones, dial *67 before the number to hide your caller ID for that single call only.
  • To block your number on all outgoing calls, go to your phone's settings and look for "Caller ID" or "Caller ID Blocking" — the exact location varies by phone type and carrier.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee (usually $3 to $5) to block your number on all calls, while blocking individual calls is always free.
  • The person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number, but they can still hear you and call you back if they have your number from another source.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing it — 911 always receives your real number regardless of your settings.

Block your number on a single call with *67

The fastest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 immediately before you enter the phone number. On most carriers and phone types, this works: dial *67, then the area code and number, then press call. The person who answers will see "Unknown" or "Private" instead of your number.

This method works on both landlines and mobile phones, and it costs nothing. If the call doesn't go through, your carrier may not support *67 — try calling your carrier's customer service line to ask whether they offer per-call blocking and what code to use instead.

One thing to know: if you block your number this way and the other person tries to call you back, they won't be able to reach you unless they already have your number saved in their phone. The block only hides your number from their caller ID display.

Block your number on all calls through your phone settings

If you want to hide your number on every call you make, you can turn on caller ID blocking in your phone's settings. The exact steps depend on whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, or a landline.

On an iPhone: Open Settings, tap Phone, then look for "Show My Caller ID" or "Caller ID." Turn this setting off. If you don't see this option, your carrier may not offer it through the phone — call your carrier instead and ask them to enable it on your account.

On an Android phone: Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then look for "Supplementary Services," "Caller ID," or "Show My Number." The exact wording varies by phone brand and carrier. Turn off the option to show your number. If you can't find it, your carrier controls this setting — call them to turn it on.

On a landline: Call your phone company's customer service number and ask them to enable "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" on your account. They will do this over the phone, and it usually takes effect within a few hours.

Understand what the other person sees

When you block your number, the person you call will see one of these on their phone: "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," "No Caller ID," or a similar message. They will still hear your voice and can talk to you normally. The block only affects what appears on their caller ID screen.

Some people have settings that automatically reject calls from blocked numbers, so your call might go straight to voicemail. If that happens, you can leave a message and they can call you back if they have your number from another source — for example, if they have your contact information in their phone already.

Know the cost and carrier rules

Blocking your number on a single call with *67 is always free. Blocking your number on all calls may cost money depending on your carrier. Some carriers include it free with your plan, while others charge $3 to $5 per month for the service.

Call your carrier to ask whether they offer caller ID blocking and what it costs. The customer service number is on your phone bill or on your carrier's website. If they offer it, they can turn it on right away, and you'll see the charge on your next bill.

Different carriers use different names for this service — AT&T calls it "Caller ID Blocking," Verizon calls it "Caller ID Blocking," and T-Mobile calls it "Caller ID Blocking" as well. The function is the same across all carriers.

Remember that emergency calls always show your number

No matter what settings you have turned on, if you call 911, the emergency dispatcher will see your real phone number. Blocking your number does not hide it from emergency services. This is a legal requirement — 911 systems need your actual number to send help to the right location.

If you call any other emergency number (like a poison control center or a crisis line), your number may or may not be blocked depending on the service. When you call, tell them your number if you want them to have it.

Troubleshoot if blocking isn't working

If you dial *67 and your call still shows your number to the other person, your carrier may not support per-call blocking. Call your carrier's customer service and ask what code they use instead — some carriers use different codes.

If you turned on caller ID blocking in your phone settings but your number still shows up, the setting may not have saved properly. Go back into settings and turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. If it still doesn't work, restart your phone and try again.

If restarting doesn't fix it, your carrier may control this setting from their end rather than through your phone. Call them and ask them to enable caller ID blocking on your account. They can usually do this in a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number when calling a business?

Yes, the same methods work for any call. However, many businesses have systems that reject calls from blocked numbers automatically, so your call may not go through. If you need to reach a business, it's usually better to call from a number they recognize or to use *67 and leave a callback number in your voicemail message.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

They will see that your number is blocked, but they won't know it's you specifically unless you tell them. If you're calling someone you know, they may guess it's you if you're the only person who usually calls them with a blocked number.

Can I unblock my number after I call?

If you blocked it for a single call with *67, it's already unblocked for your next call — *67 only affects that one call. If you turned on caller ID blocking in your settings, you can turn it off the same way you turned it on. Changes usually take effect within a few minutes.

What if I want to block my number only for certain contacts?

Your phone's settings don't offer a way to block your number for some people but not others. You would need to use *67 each time you call someone you want to block your number from, or keep caller ID blocking on all the time.

Does blocking my number prevent someone from calling me back?

Blocking your number only hides it from their caller ID — it doesn't prevent them from calling you back if they have your number saved in their phone or if they write it down when you call. If you want to prevent someone from reaching you, you would need to block their number on your phone instead.