How to block your number on a phone call

You can block your number from showing on a single call by entering a code before dialing. On most phones in the United States, dial *67 before the phone number you want to call. The recipient will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or no caller ID at all instead of your phone number.

This works on landlines and mobile phones, though some carriers charge a small per-call fee. The block applies only to that one call — your number will show normally on your next call unless you use *67 again. If you want to block your number on every call you make, you'll need to change your phone settings instead.

A few carriers and phone systems don't support *67. If the code doesn't work, contact your phone provider to ask whether they offer per-call blocking and what code to use.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number to block your number on a single call; the recipient will see "Private Number" or "Blocked" instead.
  • The block lasts only for that one call, so you'll need to dial *67 again if you want to hide your number on your next call.
  • Some phone carriers don't support *67, so contact your provider if the code doesn't work on your phone.
  • Blocking your number on every call requires changing your phone settings, which varies by phone type and carrier.
  • Emergency services (911 in the US) will receive your real number even if you use *67, regardless of your settings.

How to block your number on all calls (permanent blocking)

If you want your number hidden on every call you make, you can change your phone settings instead of dialing *67 each time. The steps differ depending on whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, or a landline.

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Show My Caller ID. Turn off the toggle next to your phone number. On an Android phone, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Calls, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID. Select "Hide number" or "Private number" depending on your phone model and carrier.

On a landline, contact your phone provider directly. Most carriers offer a service called "Caller ID Blocking" or "Anonymous Call Rejection" that you can enable through your account or by calling customer service. Some providers charge a monthly fee for this service, usually between $2 and $5.

What the recipient sees when you block your number

When you call with a blocked number, the person receiving your call will see one of several displays depending on their phone and carrier. Most commonly they'll see "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "Restricted." Some phones show no caller ID information at all, or display a generic message like "No Caller ID."

The recipient cannot see your actual phone number, but they can still answer the call and hear you speak. If they have call recording enabled, they can record the conversation. They cannot call you back using your number because it wasn't transmitted to their phone.

Limitations and important exceptions

Blocking your number does not work on all types of calls. If you call 911 or other emergency services, your real number will be sent to the dispatcher regardless of whether you've blocked it. This is a legal requirement so emergency services can locate you if the call drops.

Some businesses and government offices have systems that reject calls from blocked numbers automatically. Banks, hospitals, and government agencies sometimes require you to show your caller ID to complete a call. If your call is rejected, you may need to unblock your number or call from a different phone.

Blocking your number does not prevent the recipient from knowing who called if they recognize your voice, and it does not hide your number from your own phone bill or your carrier's records. Your carrier always knows which calls you made, even if the recipient cannot see your number.

Using a different phone number to call

If you want to call someone without using your own number at all, you can use a different phone. Borrowing a friend's phone, using a work phone, or calling from a public phone will show that phone's number instead of yours. This is different from blocking — the recipient will see a real phone number, just not the one associated with your account.

Some people use VoIP services like Google Voice, Skype, or similar apps to make calls from a different number. These services assign you a phone number that you can use to make calls through the internet instead of your carrier's network. The recipient will see the VoIP service's number, not your personal number. Many of these services are free or low-cost, though some charge per minute for calls to certain numbers.

Why someone might want to block their number

People block their numbers for many reasons. Some want privacy when calling businesses or services they don't want to be contacted back by. Others block their number when calling someone they don't know well, or when making a call they prefer to keep private. Some people block their number out of habit or preference for privacy in general.

Blocking your number is legal in most places, but some jurisdictions have restrictions on how it can be used. In general, using a blocked number to harass, threaten, or defraud someone is illegal, but calling with a blocked number for legitimate reasons is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find out my real number if I block it?

No, the recipient cannot see your number through a normal phone call if you've blocked it. However, if you leave a voicemail, some systems may include your number in the message. If you call a business with caller ID logging, they may be able to request your number from law enforcement if there's a legal reason to do so.

Will *67 work on my phone?

*67 works on most US phone carriers, but not all. If you dial *67 and the call goes through normally with your number showing, your carrier doesn't support it. Contact your phone provider to ask what code they use, or whether they offer per-call blocking at all.

What happens if I block my number and the person doesn't answer?

If the call goes to voicemail, you can leave a message. The recipient will hear your voice but won't see your number on the voicemail notification. Some voicemail systems don't record the caller ID at all when a number is blocked, so they may have no way to know who called except by listening to your message.

Can I block my number on text messages?

No, text messages always show your phone number to the recipient. There is no standard way to send a text message anonymously through your carrier. If you want to send a text without showing your number, you would need to use an internet-based messaging app like WhatsApp or Signal, which shows only your username or account name instead of your phone number.

Does blocking my number affect my phone bill?

No, blocking your number does not change your bill. The call is still recorded on your account and counts toward your minutes or plan the same way. Your carrier always has a record of the calls you made, even if the recipient cannot see your number.