Block your number before the call connects
You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling by adding a code before you dial. On most phones, you type *67 before the number, then press call. The recipient will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your digits. This works on both landlines and cell phones, though some services and emergency numbers won't accept blocked calls.
The blocking lasts only for that single call. If you hang up and dial again without *67, your number shows normally. This is useful when you need privacy for one conversation but don't want to change your settings permanently.
Key Takeaways
- Type *67 before the phone number, then press call to hide your number for that call only.
- The person you call will see "Private Number" or "Blocked" instead of your actual digits.
- Some businesses, government offices, and emergency services will reject calls from blocked numbers.
- If you need to block your number on every call you make, you can change this in your phone settings instead of typing *67 each time.
- The *67 method works on both iPhone and Android, as well as traditional landline phones.
How to use *67 on your iPhone
Open the Phone app and go to the Keypad tab. Type *67, then enter the full phone number you want to call (including the area code). Press the green call button. Your number will be blocked for this call only.
If you're calling someone already in your contacts, you can also dial their name from Siri or the contacts list, but you'll need to add *67 manually before pressing call. There's no way to block your number through the iPhone's contact card or favorites — you must type *67 each time.
How to use *67 on Android
Open your default phone app (usually called Phone, Dialer, or Google Phone depending on your device). Tap the keypad icon at the bottom. Type *67, then the full phone number with area code. Press the call button. Your number stays hidden for that single call.
Like iPhone, Android doesn't have a built-in option to block your number through the contact card itself. You'll type *67 before every call where you want to hide your number. If you use Google Phone, the process is identical — *67 followed by the number.
Block your number on every call through settings
If you want your number hidden on all outgoing calls rather than typing *67 each time, you can change this in your phone's settings. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID. Toggle this off, and your number will be blocked on every call you make.
On Android, the location varies by phone model and carrier. Generally, open Settings, go to Apps or Applications, find Phone or Dialer, tap Permissions or Advanced Settings, and look for Caller ID or Show My Number. Turn this off to block your number on all calls. Some carriers also let you control this through their website or customer service line.
Be aware that blocking your number on all calls can cause problems. Banks, doctors' offices, and other services often reject blocked calls. Many people also don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If you block permanently, you may need to unblock it later for important calls.
When *67 won't work
Emergency services (911 in the US) will always see your real number, even if you use *67. The system overrides the block for safety reasons. Government offices, banks, hospitals, and many businesses also reject calls from blocked numbers. If you call a business and they see "Private Number," they may hang up or transfer you to a voicemail that won't accept messages.
Some carriers and phone plans don't support *67 blocking. This is rare with major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, but smaller carriers or VoIP services may not offer it. If *67 doesn't work, contact your carrier to ask if they support per-call blocking.
Alternatives if *67 doesn't work
If your carrier doesn't support *67, you can use a VoIP app like Google Voice, Skype, or WhatsApp to make calls instead. These apps let you call from a different number or a masked number, though the person you're calling will see the app's number rather than "Private Number." Some apps charge a small fee for calls to landlines.
Another option is to ask someone else to make the call on your behalf, though this only works if privacy isn't critical. If you need to hide your number regularly for legitimate reasons, a VoIP service gives you more control than *67 alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone trace my number if I use *67?
No, not through normal means. The person you call won't see your number. However, if they report the call to law enforcement or your carrier, authorities can trace it through phone records. *67 hides your number from the recipient, not from your carrier or the phone system itself.
Will *67 work on international calls?
It depends on the country you're calling. *67 works reliably within the US and Canada. Calls to other countries may or may not block your number — it depends on whether that country's phone system supports it. Your carrier can tell you which countries accept blocked calls.
What if I need to receive calls while my number is blocked?
Blocking your outgoing number doesn't affect incoming calls. People can still reach you normally. If you've turned off "Show My Caller ID" in settings, that only affects calls you make, not calls you receive.
Why did the person I called say they saw my number even though I used *67?
Some phone systems, especially older ones or those used by government agencies, override the block. Caller ID blocking also doesn't work on calls to toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866 numbers) — those systems are designed to capture your number regardless. If you called a business with an older phone system, they may have seen your number anyway.
Can I block my number on a conference call or three-way call?
Yes, if you use *67 before initiating the call, it will block your number for everyone on the call. However, if someone on the call has access to the phone system's backend (like a business with advanced phone systems), they may still see your real number in the system logs.