How to block your number on outgoing calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling by using a feature built into your phone's dialer. On most phones, you enter a code before the number, or you turn on a setting that applies to all your calls. The method depends on whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, or a landline.

The most common approach is to dial *67 before the phone number on any phone type in the United States. This tells your carrier to block your number for that single call only. The person you call will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your digits. If you dial it wrong or forget the asterisk, the call still goes through — it just won't be blocked.

Not every carrier supports *67, though most do. If it doesn't work, your carrier may use a different code — ask them directly, or check your carrier's website for the specific method.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a phone number blocks your caller ID for that single call on most U.S. carriers.
  • iPhone and Android both support *67, and the method is the same on both.
  • To block your number on all outgoing calls, go to your phone's settings and turn on "Hide My Caller ID" or "Block Caller ID" — the exact name varies by phone type and carrier.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee to block your number on all calls, while others offer it free.
  • The person you call will see "Private Number" or "Unknown" instead of your phone number.

Blocking your number on every call from your iPhone

On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch off. This hides your number on all outgoing calls until you turn it back on.

If you don't see this option, your carrier may not support it, or you may need to contact them to turn it on. Some carriers include this feature free; others charge a small monthly fee. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service line to confirm whether the feature is available to you and whether there's a cost.

Blocking your number on every call from Android

On Android, the steps vary slightly by phone manufacturer and which version of Android you have. The most common path is Settings > Apps > Phone > Permissions, though some phones put it under Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID.

Look for an option called Hide Caller ID, Block Caller ID, or Show Caller ID (toggle it off). If you can't find it after checking both paths, search your phone's settings for "caller ID" — most Android phones have a search function at the top of Settings.

Like iPhone, availability and cost depend on your carrier. Not all carriers support this feature on Android, and some charge a monthly fee.

Blocking your number on a landline

If you have a traditional home phone or office landline, dialing *67 before the number still works on most carriers. To block your number on all calls from a landline, contact your phone company directly — they manage this setting on their end, not on your phone.

Some landline carriers offer this as a free feature; others charge monthly. Ask your carrier whether they support per-call blocking (*67) and whether they offer a plan-wide option.

What the person on the other end sees

When you block your number, the recipient's phone displays "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "No Caller ID" instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call — blocking your number doesn't prevent the call from going through. It only hides your identity.

Some people set their phones to reject calls from blocked numbers automatically. If that happens, your call goes to voicemail or is rejected outright. There's no way around this on your end.

When *67 doesn't work

If you dial *67 and the call still shows your number, a few things could be wrong. First, check that you dialed it correctly — the asterisk must come before the 67, with no spaces or pauses. Second, confirm that your carrier supports it by checking their website or calling customer service.

Third, some numbers cannot be called with *67 — emergency services (911), toll-free numbers, and directory assistance sometimes reject blocked calls. If you're calling one of these, the block won't work, and your number will show.

Finally, if you're calling someone within your own company or organization, their internal phone system may override the block and display your number anyway. This is common in office phone systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number permanently on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone, toggle off "Show My Caller ID" in Settings > Phone. On Android, find "Hide Caller ID" or "Block Caller ID" in your phone's settings (the exact location varies by manufacturer). On a landline, contact your phone company to enable this feature. Some carriers charge a monthly fee.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

They'll see "Private Number" or "Unknown" instead of your number, so they'll know the call is blocked. They won't know it's you specifically unless you tell them. Some people reject blocked calls automatically, so your call may go to voicemail.

Does *67 work on all phone types?

*67 works on most U.S. carriers for both cell phones and landlines. It doesn't work on emergency numbers, toll-free numbers, or some directory assistance lines. If it doesn't work for you, your carrier may use a different code — contact them to ask.

Can I block my number when texting?

No. Text messages don't have a built-in blocking feature like phone calls do. Your number will always show when you send a text message. Some messaging apps like iMessage or WhatsApp let you use a different display name, but your actual phone number is still visible to the recipient.

What if I want to unblock my number after blocking it?

If you used *67 for a single call, your number is unblocked automatically on the next call. If you turned off "Show My Caller ID" or "Hide Caller ID" in your settings, toggle the setting back on to show your number again on all future calls.