How to hide your number from the person you're calling

You can hide your phone number from appearing on someone's caller ID by adding a code before you dial, or by changing a setting in your phone's call settings. The method depends on whether you have a landline or mobile phone, and which approach you prefer for a single call versus all your calls.

On most phones in the United States, you can dial *67 before the number you're calling to block your number for that one call only. On landlines, you may need to dial 1167 instead. If you want your number hidden for all outgoing calls, you can turn on a setting in your phone's native dialer app or contact your phone provider to request permanent blocking.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a phone number hides your caller ID for that single call on most mobile phones in the US.
  • Landline users typically dial 1167 instead of *67, though this varies by provider.
  • You can set your phone to block your number on all outgoing calls through your phone's settings or by contacting your carrier.
  • Some businesses and government agencies refuse calls from blocked numbers, so your call may not go through.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing your real number if you call 911.

Using *67 for a single call

The simplest way to hide your number for one call is to dial *67 immediately before the phone number. For example, if you're calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567. The person receiving the call will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" on their caller ID instead of your actual phone number.

This method works on most mobile phones and some landlines in the United States. The blocking lasts only for that single call. Your next call will show your number normally unless you dial *67 again. If the call doesn't go through, the recipient's phone system may be set to reject calls from blocked numbers, which is common at businesses, hospitals, and government offices.

Blocking your number on all calls

If you want your number hidden by default on every call you make, you can change a setting in your phone's dialer app. On an iPhone, open the Phone app, tap Settings, scroll down to Show My Caller ID, and toggle it off. On an Android phone, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, find Supplementary Services or Caller ID, and select Hide Number or a similar option. The exact wording varies by phone model and Android version.

Alternatively, you can contact your mobile carrier directly and ask them to enable per-line blocking or anonymous call rejection on your account. This setting is usually free and takes effect within a few hours. Your carrier can also reverse it if you change your mind. Keep in mind that blocking your number on all calls makes it harder for people to reach you back, and some recipients may not answer calls from blocked numbers.

Why some calls don't go through when your number is blocked

Many businesses, hospitals, government agencies, and customer service lines are configured to reject or route calls from blocked numbers to a different queue. Banks often refuse blocked calls entirely for security reasons. If you're calling a business and your call doesn't connect, try dialing without blocking your number, or call their main line and ask to be transferred to the department you need.

Some phone systems will ask you to unblock your number before the call can proceed. You'll hear a message saying something like "Press 1 to unblock your number" or "Enter your number to continue." If you hear this, you can press 1 or enter your number to allow the call through, or you can hang up and try a different approach.

Emergency calls and 911

If you call 911, your real phone number will always be sent to emergency dispatch, even if you have blocking turned on or dial *67. Emergency services need your actual number to locate you and call you back if the line disconnects. This is a legal requirement and cannot be overridden by any blocking setting.

The same rule applies to other emergency numbers and crisis hotlines. Your actual number is transmitted to the receiving end regardless of your blocking status, so emergency responders can reach you if needed.

Differences between mobile and landline blocking

Mobile phones and landlines use slightly different codes and settings. On a landline, you typically dial 1167 instead of *67 to block your number for a single call. Some landline providers use different codes entirely, so if 1167 doesn't work, contact your provider to ask what code they support.

To block your number on all landline calls, call your phone company's customer service line and ask them to enable permanent caller ID blocking on your account. They may call this "anonymous call rejection" or "per-line blocking." Landline providers usually offer this service at no extra charge, though a few may charge a small monthly fee.

When blocking your number might cause problems

Blocking your number can prevent callbacks and cause confusion if the person you're calling doesn't recognize the blocked number and doesn't answer. If you're calling a friend or family member who doesn't know you're calling, they may ignore the call. If you're calling a business to follow up on something, they won't be able to reach you back at your number.

Some people and organizations assume that blocked calls are spam or scams and will not answer them at all. If you need a response or a callback, it's usually better to let your number show. You can always ask the person not to share your number or to call you back only when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find out my real number if I block it?

No, blocking your number through *67 or your phone settings prevents your number from appearing on their caller ID. However, if they have access to your phone records or your carrier's records, they could see your number that way. Blocking only hides it from the caller ID display on their phone.

Does *67 work on all phone carriers?

*67 works on most major carriers in the US, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and many smaller carriers. Some carriers or phone systems may not support it, so if it doesn't work, contact your carrier to ask what code they use or whether they offer caller ID blocking as an account setting.

What if I dial *67 but the call still shows my number?

This usually means the recipient's phone system doesn't respect the blocking request, or your carrier doesn't support *67. Try contacting your carrier to ask if they offer a different blocking code or if you can enable permanent blocking on your account instead.

Can I block my number when calling internationally?

*67 typically works only for calls within the United States. International calling rules vary by country and carrier. Contact your carrier before making an international call if you want your number blocked, as they can tell you whether it's possible and what code to use.

Will blocking my number prevent spam filters from catching my call?

No. Blocking your number may actually make your call more likely to be filtered as spam, since many spam calls come from blocked numbers. If you're calling someone who has spam filtering enabled, your call might be sent to their spam folder even if you block your number.