Block your number on individual calls or permanently

You can hide your phone number from appearing on someone's caller ID 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, while your carrier's settings let you hide it permanently. Both work on landlines and cell phones, though the exact steps differ.

Blocking your number does not prevent the call from going through — the person will still receive it, they just will not see your number on their screen. Emergency services like 911 can still see your number even if you block it, so blocking does not hide you from emergency responders.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the number on most landlines and many cell phones to hide your number for that single call only.
  • iPhone users can turn on "Hide My Caller ID" in Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID, which blocks your number on all outgoing calls.
  • Android users can hide their number in Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID, depending on their phone model and carrier.
  • Your carrier may offer a permanent blocking service through their customer portal or by calling their support line.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent calls from connecting — the recipient still receives the call, they just see "Unknown" or "Private" instead of your number.

Block your number on a single call using *67

The quickest 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 followed by the number, the recipient will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on their caller ID instead of your actual number.

The steps are simple: pick up your phone, dial *67, then immediately dial the number you want to call. Do not pause between *67 and the number. If *67 does not work on your phone, your carrier may use a different code — contact them to ask what code they support.

This method works only for that single call. The next time you call someone, your number will show normally unless you dial *67 again. If you want to hide your number on every call you make, use your phone's settings instead.

Hide your number on all calls using iPhone settings

iPhone users can turn off caller ID display for all outgoing calls through the Phone app settings. Open Settings, tap Phone, then look for "Show My Caller ID." Toggle this setting off, and your number will be hidden on every call you make from that phone.

When this setting is off, recipients will see "Unknown" or "Private" instead of your number. You can turn it back on anytime by going to the same menu and toggling it on again. This setting affects only calls made from your iPhone — it does not affect text messages or FaceTime calls.

If you do not see "Show My Caller ID" in your Phone settings, your carrier may not support this feature, or it may be located in a different menu. Check your carrier's support page or call their customer service line to confirm whether they offer this option.

Hide your number on all calls using Android settings

Android phones can hide your caller ID, but the exact location of this setting varies by phone model and carrier. On most Android phones, open Settings, find Call Settings or Phone Settings, then look for an option called "Caller ID," "Show Caller ID," or "Supplementary Services." Tap that option and select "Hide Number" or toggle off the caller ID display.

Some Android phones place this setting under Additional Settings or Network Settings instead. If you cannot find it in the obvious places, search your Settings app for "caller ID" — most phones have a search function at the top of the Settings menu. Type the words and Android will show you where that setting lives on your specific phone.

If your phone does not have a caller ID setting in the phone app, your carrier may control this feature through their own app or website. Check your carrier's support page or call their customer service line to ask how to hide your number on your specific Android model.

Block your number through your carrier

Most phone carriers offer a service that hides your number on all calls. This is separate from your phone's built-in settings and may have a different name depending on your carrier. Verizon calls it "Caller ID Blocking," AT&T calls it "Calling Line ID Restriction," and T-Mobile calls it "Caller ID Block." Other carriers use similar names.

To turn on carrier-level blocking, log into your carrier's online account portal and look for privacy or calling settings. Many carriers also let you turn this on by calling their customer service number. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for this service, while others offer it free — check your carrier's pricing page to confirm.

Carrier-level blocking works on all phones you use on that account, not just one device. If you switch phones or use multiple phones on the same account, the setting follows your account rather than your device.

What happens when you block your number

When you block your number, the person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" on their screen instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally — blocking your number does not prevent the call from connecting. Some people may not answer calls from unknown numbers, so blocking your number might increase the chance they do not pick up.

Blocking your number does not hide your identity from law enforcement or emergency services. If you call 911, the dispatcher will see your number regardless of whether you have blocking turned on. Similarly, if someone reports you to the police or files a complaint, your number can still be traced through your carrier's records.

Some businesses and services may refuse to complete transactions with blocked numbers. Banks, government offices, and customer service lines sometimes require you to show your number before they will help you. If you need to call one of these places, you may need to turn off caller ID blocking for that call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on cell phones?

*67 works on many cell phones, but not all. It depends on your carrier and phone model. Try dialing *67 before the number — if it works, you will see a message confirming the block. If it does not work, use your phone's built-in caller ID settings instead, or contact your carrier to ask what code they support.

Can I block my number on text messages?

No. Blocking your number only works for voice calls. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient, and there is no standard way to hide it. Some messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp hide your actual phone number, but the recipient will still see your name or username in the app.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from an unknown or private number, but they will not receive a notification saying you blocked it. Some people may assume you blocked your number, but they cannot confirm it without trying to call you back or asking you directly.

Can I block my number on FaceTime or WhatsApp?

FaceTime and WhatsApp do not use your phone number for caller ID in the same way voice calls do. On FaceTime, the recipient sees your Apple ID or phone number depending on how you set up the app. On WhatsApp, they see your WhatsApp name. These apps have their own privacy settings, but blocking your number through your phone or carrier does not affect them.

What if *67 does not work?

If *67 does not work on your phone, your carrier may use a different code. Call your carrier's customer service line and ask what code they support for blocking caller ID on a single call. Alternatively, use your phone's settings to block your number on all calls, or ask your carrier about their permanent caller ID blocking service.