Block your number on individual calls or all outgoing calls

You can hide your phone number in two ways: block it for a single call, or set it to block on every call you make. The method depends on your phone type and whether you want the block to be temporary or permanent.

On most phones, you dial a code before the number to hide your caller ID for that one call. If you want your number hidden on all calls, you go into your phone's settings and turn on a feature usually called "Hide My Caller ID" or "Block Caller ID." Some carriers also let you manage this through their website or app.

The person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number. They can still answer the call, but they won't know who is calling until you tell them.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number on most US carriers to hide your number for a single call only.
  • To hide your number on all calls, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turn it off on iPhone, or Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID and select "Hide Number" on Android.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for permanent caller ID blocking, while the *67 method is free and works on most plans.
  • The person you call will see "Unknown" or "Private" but can still answer; they simply won't see your number unless you tell them.

Blocking your number for one call using *67

The fastest way to hide your number on a single call is to dial *67 before the phone number. This works on most carriers in the United States, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. The code is free and does not require any setup.

Here is how it works: instead of dialing 555-123-4567, you dial *67-555-123-4567. Press the call button as normal. The recipient will see "Unknown" or "Private" on their screen instead of your number. The block applies only to that single call; your next call will show your number again unless you use *67 again.

If you dial *67 and the call does not go through, your carrier may not support the feature, or you may have a plan that does not allow it. Some business lines and prepaid plans block this code. If that happens, try the permanent blocking method through your phone's settings instead.

Hiding your number on all calls through phone settings

To hide your caller ID on every call without typing a code each time, use your phone's built-in settings. The steps differ between iPhone and Android.

On iPhone: Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch off. Your number will now be hidden on all outgoing calls. You can turn it back on the same way whenever you want.

On Android: Open Settings, go to Call Settings (or Apps > Phone > Settings on some phones), tap Additional Settings, then tap Caller ID. Select "Hide Number." The exact path varies by manufacturer and Android version, but the option is usually in the phone or call settings area. If you cannot find it, search "caller ID" in your phone's Settings app.

Once you turn this on, every call you make will show as "Unknown" or "Private" to the person receiving it. They will not see your number at all unless you tell them who you are.

Blocking your number through your carrier

Your phone carrier may offer caller ID blocking as a service, either free or for a monthly fee. This is useful if your phone's settings do not have a caller ID option, or if you want to manage the feature through your carrier's website or app instead of your phone.

Verizon: Call 611 from your Verizon phone or visit verizon.com. Look for "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection." Some Verizon plans include this free; others charge a small monthly fee.

AT&T: Call 611 or visit att.com. AT&T offers "Caller ID Blocking" as an add-on service. You can also manage it through the AT&T mobile app under Settings > Calling.

T-Mobile: Call 611 or visit t-mobile.com. T-Mobile offers "Caller ID Blocking" on most plans. Check your account online to see if it is already included or if there is a fee.

Carrier-based blocking works the same way as phone settings: your number will be hidden on all calls. The advantage is that you can turn it on or off from anywhere, even if you do not have your phone with you.

What the person receiving your call will see

When you block your caller ID, the recipient's phone will display one of these instead of your number: "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," "Restricted," or "No Caller ID." The exact wording depends on their phone and carrier.

They can still answer the call normally. They simply will not know who is calling until you speak and identify yourself. If they have set their phone to reject unknown callers, your call may go straight to voicemail. Some people do this as a spam filter, so blocking your number may make it less likely they will pick up.

If you leave a voicemail, your number will not appear in their voicemail history either. They will only know who called if you say your name in the message.

When blocking your number might not work

Blocking your caller ID does not work in all situations. Some calls are required by law to show a number, and some recipients have settings that force numbers to display.

Emergency calls to 911 will always show your location and number to the dispatcher, even if you have blocking turned on. This is a legal requirement so emergency services can reach you if the call drops.

Some businesses and government offices require caller ID to be visible before they will accept the call. Banks, hospitals, and government agencies sometimes reject calls from blocked numbers as a security measure. If you are calling one of these places, you may need to turn off caller ID blocking temporarily.

If the recipient has a service that unblocks hidden numbers, they may be able to see your number anyway. These services are uncommon for personal use but are available to businesses and law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number on text messages?

No. Text messages do not use the same system as voice calls, so *67 and caller ID blocking do not work on SMS. Your number will always appear on text messages you send. If you want to send an anonymous text, you would need to use a third-party texting app or service, which is outside your phone's built-in features.

Will blocking my number prevent spam filters from blocking me?

No. Blocking your caller ID may actually make it more likely that your call gets filtered as spam, because many people set their phones to reject unknown callers. If you are calling someone who knows you, tell them in advance that you will be calling with a blocked number so they do not miss your call.

Can I block my number permanently and still receive calls?

Yes. Blocking your outgoing caller ID does not affect your ability to receive calls. People can still reach you at your normal number; they just will not see your number when you call them. You can turn the block on or off whenever you want.

What if *67 does not work on my phone?

Your carrier may not support the feature, or your plan may not allow it. Try blocking your number through your phone's settings instead, or contact your carrier to ask if they offer caller ID blocking. Some prepaid and business plans do not support *67.

Does blocking my number hide my identity from the phone company?

No. Your carrier always knows who you are and can see your number in their records. Caller ID blocking only hides your number from the person you are calling. Law enforcement and the carrier itself can still identify you if needed.