Block your number before the call connects

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling by entering 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 carrier you use. On most phones, entering *67 before the number blocks your caller ID for that single call. Turning off caller ID in your phone's settings blocks it for all outgoing calls until you turn it back on.

Some carriers and phone systems do not support these methods, and some recipients can still see your number even when you block it — particularly if they have law enforcement tools or if you are calling a business with advanced phone systems. Blocking your number does not hide your identity from the phone company itself, which keeps records of all calls made from your line.

Key Takeaways

  • Entering *67 before dialing blocks your caller ID for a single call on most mobile phones and landlines.
  • You can turn off caller ID permanently in your phone's settings, though the exact location varies by phone model and carrier.
  • Some recipients can still see your number even when blocked, especially businesses with advanced phone systems or law enforcement.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the phone company from recording that you made the call.

Using *67 for a single blocked call

The easiest way to block your number for one call is to dial *67 before entering the phone number. On most carriers in North America, this triggers caller ID blocking for that call only. You would dial it like this: *67, then the area code and number. The recipient will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your phone number.

This method works on most landlines and mobile phones, but not all carriers support it. If *67 does not work, your carrier may use a different code — some use #31# instead. Try both codes to see which one your carrier recognizes. If neither works, contact your carrier to ask whether they offer per-call blocking and what code to use.

If the call does not go through after entering *67, it may mean your carrier does not support the feature, or the recipient's phone system blocks calls from blocked numbers. Some businesses and government offices automatically reject calls from hidden numbers.

Turning off caller ID in your phone settings

To block your number on every call you make, you can turn off caller ID in your phone's settings. The steps differ depending on your phone type.

On an iPhone: Open Settings, tap Phone, then Caller ID. Toggle off "Show My Caller ID." Your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls until you turn this setting back on.

On an Android phone: Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings. Look for "Supplementary Services," "Call Settings," or "Additional Settings" — the exact name varies by phone model and carrier. Find the option for "Caller ID" or "Show My Number" and turn it off. Some Android phones do not have this setting, in which case you will need to contact your carrier.

On a landline: Call your phone company and ask them to enable "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" on your account. Some carriers let you manage this through their online account portal instead.

When blocking does not work

Blocking your caller ID does not may provide the recipient cannot see your number. Businesses with advanced phone systems, hospitals, and government offices often have tools that can reveal blocked numbers. Law enforcement can also obtain your number through a court order, regardless of whether you blocked it.

Some phone systems are set up to reject all calls from blocked numbers automatically. If you are trying to reach a business or government office and your blocked call does not go through, try calling again without blocking your number, or call their main line to ask whether they accept blocked calls.

Your phone company always knows who made every call from your line, even if the recipient cannot see your number. Phone records are kept for billing purposes and can be obtained by law enforcement with a warrant.

Blocking your number on video calls and messaging

Blocking your phone number only hides it from voice calls. Video calls through apps like FaceTime, Google Meet, or Zoom show your account name or contact information instead of your phone number, so the blocking setting does not affect them. If you want to hide your identity on a video call, you would need to use a different account or app.

Text messages and messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger also show your account name or phone number separately from your voice call settings. Blocking your caller ID does not hide your number from text messages. Some messaging apps let you create an account with a different name or number, but that is a separate process from voice call blocking.

Differences between carriers and phone systems

Not all carriers support caller ID blocking in the same way. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile support *67 on most phones, but smaller carriers, prepaid services, and some international carriers may not. VoIP services like Google Voice, Skype, and Vonage have their own settings for hiding your number — check the app's settings menu or contact the service directly to find the option.

If you use a business phone system, your company's IT department controls whether you can block your caller ID. Some business systems do not allow it, or require you to use a specific code or setting. Ask your IT support or phone administrator what options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number on a call I already made?

No. You have to enter *67 or turn off caller ID before you dial. Once the call connects, the recipient has already seen your number (or "blocked" if you blocked it beforehand). You cannot retroactively hide a number from a call that already went through.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a blocked, private, or unknown number, so they will know you hid it. They will not know who you are unless you tell them. Some people do not answer calls from blocked numbers, so blocking may reduce your chances of reaching them.

Does blocking my number prevent the call from being traced?

No. Your phone company has a record of every call you make, and law enforcement can obtain that record with a warrant. Blocking your caller ID only hides your number from the person you are calling, not from your carrier or the phone system.

What if *67 does not work?

Try #31# instead — some carriers use that code. If neither works, contact your carrier to ask whether they support caller ID blocking and what method to use. Some carriers charge a monthly fee for this feature, or may not offer it at all.

Can I block my number on a 911 call?

No. Emergency services need your location and callback number to help you, so 911 systems override caller ID blocking. Your number will always be visible to 911 dispatchers, even if you have blocking turned on.