Block your caller ID on iPhone through Settings or per-call

You can hide your phone number from people you call on iPhone in two ways: turn off caller ID for all outgoing calls in Settings, or hide it for a single call before you dial. The per-call method is faster if you only want to block your number occasionally. The Settings method works if you want your number hidden by default for every call you make.

Both methods use the same underlying feature — your carrier's caller ID blocking service, sometimes called "Hide My Caller ID" or "Caller ID Blocking." Your carrier must support this feature for either method to work. Most major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile include this at no extra cost, though some regional carriers or prepaid plans may not offer it.

Key Takeaways

  • Hide your caller ID for all calls by going to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggling it off.
  • Hide your number for a single call by dialing *67 before the phone number, then pressing call.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for caller ID blocking, and some prepaid or regional plans do not support it at all.
  • The person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number, but they can still reach you if they call back.
  • Emergency calls to 911 will always show your real number regardless of your caller ID settings.

Turn off caller ID for all your calls in Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch to the off position. Your caller ID is now blocked for every call you make until you turn this setting back on.

If you do not see the "Show My Caller ID" option, your carrier may not support this feature, or you may need to contact your carrier to enable it on your account. Some carriers require you to request caller ID blocking through their website, app, or customer service before the iPhone setting becomes available. Check your carrier's support page or call their customer service line to confirm the feature is active on your account.

Block your number for a single call using *67

Open the Phone app and dial *67 followed by the phone number you want to call, then press the call button. The person who answers will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number. This method works for that one call only — your next call will show your number normally unless you use *67 again.

The *67 method works on most carriers in the United States and Canada. If it does not work, your carrier may not support per-call blocking, or you may need to enable it through your carrier's settings first. Try contacting your carrier's customer service to confirm the feature is active on your account. Some carriers use different codes or methods, so ask what they recommend if *67 does not work for you.

What the person you call will see

When you block your caller ID, the recipient's phone displays "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" instead of your phone number. They will not know who is calling before they answer. If they do not answer, they cannot call you back using the number alone — they would need to know your number from another source or wait for you to call again.

Some businesses and government offices refuse to answer calls from blocked numbers or route them to voicemail automatically. If you need to reach someone who screens unknown callers, you may need to unblock your caller ID for that call or contact them through another method first. Banks, hospitals, and customer service lines often have this policy in place.

Emergency calls always show your real number

If you call 911, your real phone number will display to the emergency dispatcher regardless of your caller ID settings. This is a legal requirement — emergency services need your actual number to locate you and call you back if the line drops. The *67 code and the "Show My Caller ID" toggle both have no effect on 911 calls.

Some other emergency numbers, such as poison control or crisis hotlines, may also bypass your caller ID blocking settings. If you are calling a service that needs to reach you back, assume your real number will be visible to them even if you have blocking turned on.

Carrier support and fees

Most major carriers in the United States include caller ID blocking at no extra charge. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers support the feature through both the Settings toggle and the *67 code. Some prepaid carriers, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), or older plans may not offer it, or may charge a monthly fee of $3 to $5.

If you are unsure whether your carrier supports caller ID blocking, contact their customer service or check your account settings in their app or website. Some carriers require you to enable the feature on your account before it will work on your iPhone, even though the iPhone setting exists. You can usually find this information in your carrier's support documentation or by calling their customer service number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call is from a blocked or unknown number, but they will not receive a notification that you specifically blocked it. They may assume the call is from a telemarketer, spam caller, or someone who does not want to be identified.

Can I block my caller ID for text messages?

No. Caller ID blocking only works for phone calls. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient. If you want to send a text without revealing your number, you would need to use a third-party messaging app or a separate phone number.

What if *67 does not work?

Your carrier may not support per-call blocking, or it may not be enabled on your account. Contact your carrier's customer service to confirm the feature is active. Some carriers use different codes — ask what code or method they recommend for blocking your number on a single call.

Can I turn caller ID blocking on and off from Control Center?

No. You can only toggle caller ID blocking through the Settings app under Phone > Show My Caller ID. There is no Control Center shortcut for this feature. You can create a Shortcut automation to toggle it faster, but the Settings app is the standard method.

Will blocked calls show up in my call history?

Yes. Calls you make with your caller ID blocked will appear in your iPhone's call history with your contact's name or number, just like any other call. Only the recipient sees the blocked caller ID — your own phone records show the call normally.