How to cancel or disable Caller ID on your phone

You can turn off Caller ID in two ways: block your number from showing on outgoing calls, or hide it from incoming calls on your device. The method depends on your phone type and carrier. Most phones let you hide your number per call or permanently through settings, while some carriers offer a service to block your number from all outgoing calls.

The fastest route is usually your phone's built-in settings — most Android and iPhone users can hide their number without contacting their carrier. If you want to block Caller ID on every call you make, your carrier may offer a service plan option, though this varies by provider and region.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to hide your number on all outgoing calls.
  • On Android, the setting location varies by manufacturer, but usually appears under Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID.
  • You can hide your number on a single call by dialing *67 before the phone number on most carriers in the United States and Canada.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for a permanent Caller ID blocking service, while others include it free or do not offer it at all.
  • Blocking Caller ID does not prevent emergency services from seeing your number when you call 911.

Hide your number on iPhone

On iPhone, the Caller ID setting controls whether your number shows when you make calls. Open Settings, then tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch off. Your number will now be hidden on all outgoing calls.

If the toggle is grayed out or missing, your carrier may not support this feature on your account. Contact your carrier to ask whether they offer Caller ID blocking. Some carriers require you to request this through their website or customer service line before the setting becomes available on your phone.

Hide your number on Android

Android phones vary by manufacturer, so the exact path depends on your device. On most phones, open Settings and look for Phone or Call Settings. Tap Additional Settings or Call Settings, then look for Caller ID or Show Caller ID. Toggle it off.

If you cannot find the setting, search your phone's Settings app for "Caller ID" — most Android phones have a search function at the top of Settings. If the search returns no results, your carrier may not support Caller ID blocking on your device. Contact your carrier to confirm whether the feature is available on your plan.

Block your number on a single call

You can hide your number on one call without changing your phone settings. Dial *67, then enter the phone number you want to call. Press call. Your number will appear as blocked or private on the recipient's phone.

This works on most carriers in the United States and Canada. Some carriers use different codes — if *67 does not work, contact your carrier to ask what code they use. The code works the same way whether you are calling a landline or mobile phone.

Carrier-based Caller ID blocking services

Some carriers offer a service that blocks your Caller ID on all outgoing calls. This is different from the phone setting — it is a service plan you pay for or request through your carrier. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and regional carriers each have different names and pricing for this service.

Contact your carrier directly to ask whether they offer Caller ID blocking and what it costs. Some carriers include it free with certain plans, while others charge a monthly fee. A few carriers do not offer it at all. Your carrier can tell you whether the feature is available on your account and how to turn it on.

What happens when you block Caller ID

When you hide your Caller ID, the person you call will see "Blocked," "Private," "Unknown," or no number at all, depending on their phone and carrier. Some people may not answer calls from blocked numbers, so blocking your Caller ID can make it harder to reach someone.

Blocking Caller ID does not prevent your number from being recorded by the recipient's phone or by their carrier's systems. It only hides the number from appearing on their screen. Emergency services can always see your real number when you call 911, even if Caller ID blocking is turned on.

Turning Caller ID back on

To show your number again on iPhone, go back to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it on. On Android, follow the same path you used to turn it off and toggle Caller ID back on.

If you used *67 on a single call, your Caller ID will show normally on your next call without entering the code. If you have a carrier service blocking your Caller ID, you will need to contact your carrier to turn off the service — the phone setting alone will not override it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones and carriers?

*67 works on most carriers in the United States and Canada, but not all. Some regional carriers and international carriers use different codes. If *67 does not work, contact your carrier to ask what code they use for blocking Caller ID on a single call.

Can I block Caller ID on text messages?

No. Caller ID blocking only affects phone calls. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient, and there is no built-in way to hide it. Some messaging apps let you send messages without showing your number, but standard SMS texts cannot be sent anonymously.

Will blocking Caller ID prevent spam calls from reaching me?

No. Blocking your outgoing Caller ID does not affect incoming calls. To reduce spam calls, use your phone's built-in call filtering or download a call-blocking app. Most carriers also offer spam-filtering services you can turn on through your account.

What if my carrier does not support Caller ID blocking?

If your carrier does not offer Caller ID blocking, you can still use *67 to hide your number on individual calls. Some carriers may add the feature if you request it, so it is worth asking. If they cannot help, switching to a carrier that supports the feature is your only option.

Does blocking Caller ID work on FaceTime or WhatsApp calls?

No. Caller ID blocking only works on standard phone calls through your carrier. FaceTime, WhatsApp, and other internet-based calling apps show your account name or number through their own systems, and carrier-level Caller ID settings do not affect them. Those apps have their own privacy settings you can adjust separately.