You can hide your number on most phones using *67 before dialing, or through your phone's settings

The simplest way to block your number on a single call is to dial *67 before the phone number you're calling. This works on most landlines and cell phones in the United States and Canada. When you use *67, the person receiving the call will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your 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 hide your number on every call you make from your phone, you can change the setting in your phone's system rather than dialing *67 each time. The steps differ depending on whether you have an iPhone or Android, and whether you use a carrier like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before any phone number hides your caller ID for that single call on most U.S. and Canadian phones.
  • You can set your phone to hide your number on all outgoing calls through the Settings app on iPhone or Android.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee (usually $3 to $5) to hide your number on all calls, though *67 is free.
  • The person you call may not be able to answer if their phone is set to reject calls from blocked or unknown numbers.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing your real number if you call 911.

Using *67 for a single call

To block your number on one call, pick up your phone and dial *67, then immediately dial the phone number as you normally would. For example, if you're calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567 or *67 555-123-4567 (spacing doesn't matter). Press the call button and the call will connect.

The person on the other end will see your number as blocked, private, or unknown — the exact wording depends on their phone and carrier. If they have their phone set to accept calls from unknown numbers, they can answer normally. If they have their phone set to reject unknown callers, your call may go to voicemail or be rejected entirely.

This method works once per call. If you hang up and call the same person again without using *67, your real number will show on the second call. *67 is free and works on most carriers, though a small number of older phone systems or private business phone lines may not support it.

Hiding your number on all calls from an iPhone

On an iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll down to find Phone. Tap Phone, then look for a setting called "Show My Caller ID" or "Caller ID." Tap that option and toggle it off. Once you turn it off, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls from that iPhone.

If you don't see this option, your carrier may not support it, or it may be listed under a different name. Some carriers call it "Anonymous Call Rejection" or "Caller ID Blocking." You can also contact your carrier's customer service to ask them to enable caller ID blocking on your account — this is sometimes called "per-line blocking" and may have a monthly fee of $3 to $5.

Keep in mind that hiding your caller ID on all calls means people won't know who's calling even if they know you. If you want to hide your number only sometimes, using *67 for individual calls is simpler than changing this setting back and forth.

Hiding your number on all calls from Android

On an Android phone, open the Phone app (the one you use to make calls), then tap the three-dot menu button in the top right corner. Look for Settings or Call Settings. Tap that, then find an option for "Caller ID," "Show My Number," or "Supplementary Services." The exact name varies by phone model and carrier.

Once you find it, select the option to hide or block your caller ID. Some Android phones let you choose "Hide Number" directly; others ask you to select "Private Number" or toggle off "Show My Caller ID." After you make the change, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls.

If you can't find this setting on your phone, your carrier may not support it through the phone's settings. In that case, contact your carrier's customer service and ask them to enable caller ID blocking on your account. They can usually do this over the phone or through your online account.

What happens when you block your number

When you block your number, the person you're calling sees "Private," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "Restricted" instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call and hear you normally. The call quality and connection are exactly the same as a regular call — blocking your number doesn't affect how the call works, only what information the other person sees.

Some people set their phones to reject calls from unknown or blocked numbers automatically. If the person you're calling has this setting turned on, your call may go straight to voicemail or be rejected without ringing. There's no way to know in advance whether someone has this setting on, so if your call doesn't go through, try calling again without blocking your number.

Blocking your number also doesn't prevent your number from being recorded by the person you call. If they have call recording enabled, they'll still have a record of the call even though they didn't see your number on their screen.

Emergency calls and 911

If you call 911, your number will always be visible to emergency services, even if you have caller ID blocking turned on or use *67. Emergency dispatchers need your real number to send help to the right location and to call you back if the line disconnects. This is true whether you're calling from a cell phone or a landline.

The same rule applies to other emergency numbers like poison control or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. These services will always see your real number so they can help you effectively.

Carrier-specific blocking options

Some carriers offer additional caller ID options beyond the basic block-or-show choice. Verizon offers a service called "Caller ID Blocking" that hides your number on all calls for a monthly fee. AT&T calls a similar service "Caller ID Blocking" as well. T-Mobile includes caller ID blocking in some plans at no extra cost, while others charge a monthly fee.

If your phone's settings don't have a caller ID option, or if you want to manage blocking through your carrier's website or app, log into your carrier's account online or call their customer service number. They can tell you whether blocking is available on your plan and whether there's a fee. Some carriers let you turn blocking on and off through their app, which is more flexible than changing your phone's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone trace my number if I block it?

No, blocking your caller ID prevents the person from seeing your number on their phone. However, law enforcement can still obtain your number through the carrier if they have a warrant. For everyday calls, blocking your number is effective at keeping your number private from the person you're calling.

Will *67 work on text messages?

No, *67 only works for voice calls. Text messages cannot be blocked using *67. If you want to send a text without revealing your number, you would need to use a third-party texting app that masks your number, though many of these apps cost money or require a subscription.

What if I block my number and the person doesn't answer?

If your call goes to voicemail, the person will see that they missed a call from a blocked or unknown number. They won't know who called unless you leave a message identifying yourself. If you want them to know it was you, you can leave a voicemail explaining who you are and why you called.

Does blocking my number work internationally?

*67 works in the United States and Canada. If you're calling outside North America, blocking may not work, or it may work differently depending on the country you're calling. Check with your carrier before making international calls if hiding your number is important to you.

Can I block my number on a business phone line?

Most business phone systems have their own caller ID settings separate from your personal phone. If you use a business phone, ask your IT department or phone system administrator whether caller ID blocking is available and how to enable it. Some business systems don't allow blocking for compliance or security reasons.