Block Your Caller ID Before You Make a Call

You can hide your phone number from the person you are 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. Most phones let you add a code before dialing to hide your number just once. If you want to hide it permanently, you change a setting in your phone's call settings or contact your carrier.

The single-call method works on almost any phone. The permanent method requires your carrier to support it, and some carriers charge a monthly fee or do not offer it at all. Start with the single-call approach if you only need to hide your number occasionally.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number on most landlines and older cell phones to block your caller ID for that call only.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to hide your number on all calls.
  • On Android, open Phone > Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID and select Hide Number to block it permanently.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for permanent caller ID blocking, and a few do not offer the service at all.
  • The person you call may still see your number if they have a service that unblocks hidden numbers, or if you call a business with special equipment.

Block Caller ID for a Single Call Using *67

The easiest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 before the phone number. This works on most landlines and many cell phones in the United States and Canada. When you dial *67, the recipient sees "Private Number," "Blocked," or no number at all instead of your actual phone number.

Here is how to do it: Pick up your phone. Dial *67. Then dial the phone number you want to call, including the area code. Press the call button. The call will go through with your number hidden. This blocks your caller ID for that call only — your next call will show your number normally unless you dial *67 again.

If *67 does not work, try #31# instead. Some carriers and phone systems use this code instead. If neither works, your carrier may not support this feature, or you may be calling a number that blocks hidden calls automatically.

Hide Your Caller ID on All Calls Using iPhone Settings

If you have an iPhone and want to hide your number on every call you make, you can turn off caller ID in your phone settings. This is permanent until you turn it back on. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Phone. Look for the option that says Show My Caller ID. Toggle it off (the switch will turn white or gray).

After you turn this off, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls. The person you call will see "Private Number" or no number at all. You can turn this setting back on at any time by going to the same menu and toggling it back on. This setting works on all carriers, though some carriers may charge a monthly fee for the service.

Hide Your Caller ID on All Calls Using Android Settings

On Android phones, the path to hide your caller ID varies slightly depending on your phone model and which version of Android you have. The most common path is: Open the Phone app. Tap the three-dot menu icon (or Settings, depending on your phone). Select Settings. Look for Calls or Call Settings. Tap Additional Settings or Call Display. Find Caller ID or Show My Number. Select Hide Number or Off.

Some Android phones put this setting in a different location. If you cannot find it using the steps above, search your phone's Settings app for "caller ID" and the search should take you directly to the right menu. Once you hide your caller ID this way, it stays hidden on all calls until you change the setting back.

What Happens When You Block Caller ID

When you block your caller ID, the person you call sees one of three things: the words "Private Number," the words "Blocked Call," or no number at all. Some phones display a generic message like "Unknown Caller." Businesses and government offices often have equipment that can unblock hidden numbers, so hiding your caller ID may not work when you call them.

Many people do not answer calls from blocked or private numbers because they assume it is spam or a scam. If you are calling someone you know, tell them in advance that you will be calling from a blocked number, or they may not pick up. Some phone systems reject blocked calls entirely, so your call may not go through at all.

Carrier Support and Monthly Fees

Most major carriers in the United States — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others — support caller ID blocking. However, some carriers charge a monthly fee for permanent caller ID blocking, usually between $2 and $5 per month. The *67 method (blocking for a single call) is always free and does not require a carrier plan.

A small number of carriers do not offer permanent caller ID blocking at all. If your carrier does not support it, you can only use the *67 method for individual calls. Contact your carrier directly to ask whether they offer caller ID blocking and whether there is a fee. You can find this information on your carrier's website or by calling their customer service number on the back of your phone bill.

When Caller ID Blocking Does Not Work

Caller ID blocking does not work in all situations. Emergency services (911) can always see your real number, even if you have blocking turned on. Banks, hospitals, government offices, and large businesses often have special equipment that unblocks hidden numbers. If you call a toll-free number, the company may be able to see your number even though it is blocked.

Some people and businesses have services that reveal blocked numbers. These services are not common, but they exist. If someone has one of these services, they will see your number even though you blocked it. Additionally, if you call someone and they have your number saved in their phone from a previous call, they may see your name or contact information instead of "Private Number."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on cell phones?

Yes, *67 works on most cell phones in the United States and Canada. Dial *67 before the phone number and press call. Your number will be hidden for that call only. Some carriers or phone systems may not support it, in which case try #31# instead.

Can I block my caller ID on text messages?

No, you cannot block your caller ID on text messages. Text messages always show the phone number they came from. Caller ID blocking only works on voice calls. If you want to send a text without revealing your number, you would need to use a third-party app or service, which is outside your phone's built-in settings.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a blocked or private number, but they will not know it is you specifically unless you tell them. They may assume it is spam or a telemarketer. If you are calling someone you know, let them know in advance that you will be calling from a blocked number so they do not ignore the call.

What if I want to unblock my caller ID after blocking it?

If you used *67 for a single call, your next call will show your number normally. If you turned off caller ID in your phone settings, go back to the same menu and toggle it back on. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turn it on. On Android, go to Phone > Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID and select Show Number.

Can I block my caller ID only for certain contacts?

No, your phone's built-in settings do not let you block caller ID for some people but not others. You can either block it for all calls or none. If you want to hide your number from specific people, use *67 each time you call them, or use a third-party app designed for this purpose.