Block your number on a single call or for all outgoing calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling in two ways: block it for just one call, or set your phone to block it on every call you make. The method depends on what kind of phone you have and whether you want the block to be temporary or permanent.

On most phones, blocking your number for a single call takes about five seconds. Blocking it for all calls requires a trip into your phone's settings, but you only have to do it once. Both methods work the same way technically — your phone sends a signal to the phone network that tells it not to display your number on the recipient's caller ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number on most landlines and many cell phones to hide your number for that one call only.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to block your number on all outgoing calls.
  • On Android, the setting location varies by phone model and carrier, but is usually under Settings > Calls or Settings > Phone.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee to block your number on all calls, while blocking a single call is always free.
  • The person you call may still see your number if they have a service that unblocks private numbers, or if you're calling a business with special equipment.

Block your number on one call using *67

The quickest way to hide your number for a single call is to dial *67 before you enter the phone number. This works on most landlines and many cell phones in the United States and Canada.

Here's how: Pick up your phone. Dial *67. Then dial the phone number you want to call, including the area code. Press call or send. The person who answers will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or no number at all on their caller ID instead of your actual phone number.

This method works one time only. The next call you make will show your number again unless you dial *67 again. If you're calling the same person multiple times and want to stay private, you'll need to dial *67 before each call.

Block your number on all calls on iPhone

If you want your number hidden on every call you make from your iPhone, you can turn this on in Settings and leave it that way.

Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch to off (it will turn white or gray). Your number will now be blocked on all outgoing calls.

To turn it back on later, follow the same steps and toggle the switch back to on. This setting stays in place until you change it, so you don't have to reset it after each call. There is no charge from Apple for this feature, though your carrier may have its own rules about it.

Block your number on all calls on Android

Android phones vary more than iPhones because different manufacturers and carriers set up their menus differently. The setting you're looking for is usually called "Hide My Caller ID" or "Show My Phone Number," but the path to find it depends on your specific phone.

Start by opening Settings. Look for a section called Phone, Calls, or Call Settings. Tap into it. Look for an option that says Hide My Caller ID, Show My Phone Number, or Caller ID. If you see it, tap it and select the option to hide your number. If you don't see it in the Phone or Calls section, try looking under Advanced or More Options.

If you can't find the setting after checking those sections, contact your carrier directly — some carriers control this feature from their side rather than letting you change it on your phone. You can usually find the carrier's customer service number on your phone bill or on your carrier's website.

What happens when you block your number

When you block your number, the person you call sees either "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown," or nothing at all on their caller ID. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. Blocking your number does not prevent them from hearing you or speaking back.

Some people have services that unblock private numbers, which means they may still see your actual number even though you blocked it. Businesses with special phone systems — like banks, hospitals, or government offices — sometimes have equipment that reveals blocked numbers. If you're calling one of these places, the block may not work.

Blocking your number does not affect text messages or data services. If you send a text message, the recipient will still see your actual phone number in the message header. Only voice calls are affected by the block.

When your carrier might charge for blocking your number

Dialing *67 for a single call is always free, no matter what carrier you use. However, some carriers charge a monthly fee if you want to block your number on all outgoing calls. This fee is usually between $3 and $5 per month.

Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer this feature, but the cost and availability vary. Before you set up permanent blocking on your phone, contact your carrier to ask whether they charge for it. You can find the number on your phone bill or on your carrier's website.

If your carrier does charge and you don't want to pay, you can always use *67 before each individual call instead. This gives you the same result for free, though it takes a few extra seconds each time.

Troubleshooting: Your number still shows up

If you've blocked your number but the person you called still saw it, a few things could have happened. First, check that you actually completed the blocking step. If you used *67, make sure you dialed it before the phone number and that you heard it go through. If you changed your phone settings, go back and confirm the toggle is actually in the off position.

Second, the recipient may have a service that unblocks private numbers. Some phone plans and third-party apps can reveal blocked numbers. This is common with business phone systems. If you're calling a business and they saw your number despite blocking it, this is likely why.

Third, if you're using *67 on a VoIP service like Google Voice or Skype, the block may not work the same way it does on a regular cell phone. Check your service's settings or help documentation to see if it supports number blocking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number when calling 911?

No. Emergency services need your real number to locate you and call you back if the call drops. Dialing *67 before 911 will not block your number — the system overrides it automatically. Your location data is also sent to 911 regardless of your caller ID settings.

Does blocking my number work internationally?

It depends on the country you're calling. *67 works in the United States and Canada, but other countries have different codes or may not support number blocking at all. If you're calling outside North America, contact your carrier to ask whether blocking is available for that destination.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the number is blocked or private, but they won't know it's you specifically unless you tell them. They can't trace a blocked number back to you through caller ID. However, if they know your voice or you mention identifying details, they may figure out who you are.

Can I block my number on a conference call?

If you're joining a conference call, your number blocking setting applies the same way it would on a regular call. However, some conference call services require you to enter your real number when you join, and that number may be visible to other participants depending on the service's settings. Check the conference call details or contact the organizer if you're concerned about your number being visible.

What's the difference between blocking my number and Do Not Disturb?

Blocking your number hides your caller ID from people you call. Do Not Disturb silences incoming calls and notifications on your phone. They do opposite things — one controls what you send out, the other controls what comes in. You can use both at the same time if you want.