You can hide your number on most phones by dialing *67 before the number, or by changing your settings in your phone's call settings menu

The simplest way to make a call without showing your number is to dial *67 before the phone number you're calling. This works on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States. When you use *67, the person you're calling sees "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your phone number. The call goes through normally — they can still answer and talk to you — but they won't know who called unless you tell them.

If you want to block your number on every call you make without typing *67 each time, you can change this in your phone's settings. The exact steps depend on whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, or a landline, and the option may be called "Hide My Caller ID," "Block Caller ID," or "Caller ID Blocking."

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a phone number hides your caller ID for that single call on most phones in the United States.
  • You can set your phone to block your number on all outgoing calls through your phone's settings, though the exact location varies by phone type.
  • Some phone numbers cannot be called with a blocked number — government offices, banks, and emergency services may reject or not accept blocked calls.
  • Your phone company may charge a small monthly fee if you want to permanently block your caller ID on all calls, or it may be included in your plan.

How to block your number on iPhone

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then tap Phone. Look for an option called Show My Caller ID or Caller ID. Toggle this setting off, and your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls. If you don't see this option, your phone carrier may not offer it, or it may be managed through your carrier's app or website instead.

If you want to block your number on just one call instead of all calls, use *67. Dial *67, then the phone number. On iPhone, you can also add *67 to a contact's number in your Contacts app if you always want to call that person with a blocked number — just edit the contact and add *67 before the number in the phone field.

How to block your number on Android

On Android phones, the location of caller ID settings varies by manufacturer and which version of Android you're running. Generally, open your Phone app, tap the three-dot menu or Settings, then look for Caller ID, Show Caller ID, or Additional Settings. You should find a toggle to hide your number. If you can't find it, check your carrier's app — some carriers manage this setting through their own software rather than Android's built-in settings.

Like iPhone, you can also use *67 on Android for a single call. Some Android phones let you add *67 to a contact's number the same way, though this is less common than on iPhone.

How to block your number on a landline

If you have a traditional landline through a phone company like Verizon, AT&T, or a local provider, you can usually block your caller ID through your account online or by calling your phone company's customer service. Some landline providers offer a service called Caller ID Blocking or Anonymous Call Rejection that you can turn on or off per call or permanently. The cost and exact name of the service varies by provider.

You can also use *67 on a landline before dialing the number you want to call. This works the same way as on a mobile phone.

When a blocked number won't work

Some types of phone numbers will not accept calls from blocked numbers. Government offices, banks, hospitals, and customer service lines often reject or do not ring through for calls with hidden caller ID. If you're calling a business or government agency, you may need to let your number show. Emergency services (911) can sometimes trace blocked calls, but it takes longer, so avoid calling 911 with a blocked number unless you have a specific safety reason.

If you call someone and they have Anonymous Call Rejection turned on, your blocked call will not ring through at all — they won't know you tried to call. This is a separate service some people pay for to block all calls from hidden numbers.

What your phone company charges for blocking caller ID

Using *67 for individual calls is free on all carriers. If you want to block your number on all outgoing calls permanently, your phone company may charge a monthly fee — typically between $3 and $5 — or it may be included in your plan at no extra cost. Some carriers offer it free, while others charge. Call your phone company or check your account online to see what they offer and whether there's a fee.

If you're on a prepaid or pay-as-you-go phone plan, blocking caller ID may not be available, or it may work differently. Check with your specific carrier.

Why someone might want to block their number

People block their numbers for many reasons: to keep their personal number private when calling a business, to avoid unwanted callbacks, to contact someone who might not answer if they see an unknown number, or for safety reasons. Blocking your number is legal in the United States, and you have the right to make calls without showing your caller ID.

However, repeatedly calling someone with a blocked number and not speaking, or using a blocked number to harass or threaten someone, is illegal. If you're blocking your number to avoid being identified while making threatening or harassing calls, that's a crime regardless of whether your number is hidden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find out my number if I block it with *67?

Not through normal means. The person you call will see "Private" or "Blocked" instead of your number. However, if they have special tools or work in law enforcement, they may be able to trace the call. For everyday situations, *67 prevents the other person from seeing your number.

Does *67 work on all phone calls?

*67 works on most calls, but not all. Government offices, banks, and some customer service lines may reject blocked calls or not ring through. If the call doesn't go through, try calling without *67 or ask the organization if they accept blocked calls.

If I block my number permanently, can I unblock it for one call?

Yes. If you've set your phone to block your number on all calls, you can dial *82 before a phone number to show your caller ID for just that one call. After that call ends, your number will be blocked again on the next call.

What's the difference between *67 and turning off caller ID in settings?

*67 blocks your number for one call only. Turning off caller ID in your phone's settings blocks your number on every call you make until you turn it back on. Both hide your number from the person you're calling, but *67 is temporary and settings-based blocking is permanent until you change it.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They'll see that the call came from a blocked or private number, but they won't know it's you specifically unless you tell them. If they have caller ID, they'll see "Private," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "Restricted" instead of your name and number.