How to block your number on outgoing calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling on most phones and carriers. The method depends on whether you want to block it for a single call or for all calls you make. On most phones, you can block your number for just one call by dialing *67 before the phone number, then pressing call. The person will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number.

If you want to block your number on every call you make, you can turn on a setting in your phone's call settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID and turn it off. On an Android phone, open the Phone app, tap the three dots in the top right, go to Settings, then Call Settings, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID and select "Hide Number." The exact path varies by phone model and carrier, so if you cannot find it, search your phone's help for "hide caller ID."

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a phone number hides your number for that single call only.
  • You can turn off caller ID in your phone's settings to block your number on all outgoing calls.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee to block your number on every call, while *67 is free.
  • Blocking your number does not work for emergency calls to 911, which always shows your location and number.
  • Some businesses and government offices reject calls from blocked numbers, so you may need to unblock to reach them.

When *67 does not work

The *67 method works on most landlines and cell phones in the United States, but there are situations where it fails. If you are calling a business that has a system to reject blocked calls, they will not receive your call at all — it may go to a voicemail that says the call cannot be completed. Government offices, banks, and some customer service lines often block incoming calls from hidden numbers for security reasons.

If you need to reach a business or government office and your number is blocked, you will have to unblock it for that call. You can dial *82 before the number to show your caller ID for a single call, even if you normally have it blocked. This overrides your phone's default setting just for that one call.

Blocking your number through your carrier

Your phone carrier — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or another company — can block your caller ID on all your outgoing calls if your phone's settings do not have that option. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your bill or on their website) and ask them to enable "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" on your account. Some carriers offer this for free, while others charge a monthly fee of $2 to $5.

Carrier-level blocking is more reliable than the phone's built-in setting because it works even if you switch phones or if your phone resets. However, it also means every call you make will be blocked unless you dial *82 to show your number for that specific call. If you only need to block your number occasionally, using *67 is simpler and costs nothing.

What happens when you block your number

When you block your number, the person receiving the call sees one of several things on their phone screen: "Private," "Blocked," "Unknown," "Restricted," or "Anonymous." They do not see your actual phone number. If they have a phone that records calls, the blocked call will still appear in their call log, but without your number attached.

The person can still answer the call and talk to you normally. Blocking your number only hides the number itself — it does not change your voice or prevent them from hearing you. If they ask who is calling, you can tell them. Some people will not answer calls from blocked numbers because they assume it is spam, so be prepared for that possibility.

Blocking your number does not work for 911

Emergency calls to 911 always show your location and phone number to the dispatcher, even if you have caller ID blocking turned on. This is a legal requirement so that emergency services can reach you if the call is disconnected. You cannot block your number when calling 911, and *67 will not work.

If you are in danger and need to call 911 but are worried about someone seeing the call, the dispatcher can help you stay safe. Tell them you are in a dangerous situation and they can advise you on how to proceed. Your safety is the priority, and the dispatcher is trained to help in these situations.

Privacy and legal limits on blocking your number

Blocking your number is legal in the United States for personal calls. However, there are limits. If you are calling for a business purpose — like a debt collector, telemarketer, or company representative — you may be required by law to show your caller ID. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) requires telemarketers and debt collectors to display their real phone number or company name on caller ID.

Repeatedly calling someone from a blocked number and hanging up, or calling to harass or threaten them, is illegal and can result in criminal charges. Blocking your number is meant for privacy in legitimate calls, not for hiding your identity while doing something harmful. If someone is harassing you with blocked calls, you can report it to your carrier or to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone trace a call if I block my number?

No, blocking your number prevents the person from seeing it on their phone. However, if law enforcement obtains a warrant, they can trace a call back to your phone number through your carrier's records, even if the number was blocked on the recipient's end. Blocking your number only hides it from the person you are calling, not from your carrier or the phone network.

Why does *67 not work on some calls?

Some phone systems, especially those used by banks, government offices, and large businesses, are set to reject calls from blocked numbers automatically. These systems treat blocked calls as potential fraud or spam. If you need to reach one of these places, dial *82 before the number to show your caller ID for that call.

Does blocking my number affect voicemail?

Yes, if you leave a voicemail from a blocked number, the person will see "Private" or "Blocked" instead of your number on their voicemail notification. They can still listen to the message and hear your voice. If you want them to be able to call you back, you should tell them your number in the voicemail message.

Can I block my number on FaceTime or WhatsApp calls?

No, blocking your number only works on regular phone calls through your carrier. Apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, and Google Meet do not use your phone number for the call — they use your account information instead. Those apps have their own privacy settings, but they do not use the *67 method or carrier-level caller ID blocking.

What is the difference between *67 and *82?

*67 hides your number for a single call. *82 shows your number for a single call if you normally have it blocked. If you have caller ID blocking turned on in your settings or through your carrier, use *82 before the number to show your number just for that call.