How to disable caller ID on your phone

You can hide your phone number from appearing on someone else's caller ID in three ways: turn off caller ID for all calls through your phone settings, block it per call using a code before dialing, or contact your phone carrier to disable it permanently on your account. Which method works depends on your phone type and carrier, and some carriers charge a monthly fee for permanent blocking.

The simplest approach for most people is the per-call method, which requires no setup and works on any phone. The permanent account-level option is best if you make many calls and want your number hidden every time. Phone settings vary widely between iPhone, Android, and older phones, so the steps differ depending on what you carry.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a number hides your caller ID for that single call on most landlines and older phones, and works on many cell phones too.
  • iPhone users can turn off caller ID for all calls by going to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggling it off, though this requires iOS 13 or later.
  • Android phones do not have a built-in setting to hide caller ID system-wide; you must use *67 per call or contact your carrier.
  • Your carrier may offer a permanent blocking service, often called "Anonymous Call Rejection" or similar, which usually costs $3 to $5 per month.
  • Some carriers block *67 on certain call types, and the person you call may still see your number if they have special caller ID services.

Using *67 to block your number on a single call

Dialing *67 before a phone number hides your caller ID for that call only. Type *67, then the full phone number you want to reach, and press call. The recipient will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number. This works on most landlines and many cell phones, though some carriers have disabled it.

The *67 method is free and requires no setup. It works whether you have caller ID blocking turned on or off elsewhere on your account. If you make only occasional calls where you want to hide your number, this is the fastest option. However, you must remember to dial *67 each time — forgetting it means your number shows normally.

Some carriers block *67 for calls to toll-free numbers, emergency services, or directory assistance. If *67 does not work, your carrier may have disabled it on your account or for your phone type. Calling your carrier's customer service can tell you whether they support it.

Hiding caller ID on iPhone

iPhone users with iOS 13 or later can hide their caller ID for all outgoing calls through the Phone app settings. Open Settings, tap Phone, scroll down to Show My Caller ID, and toggle it off. Your number will then appear as "Private Number" or "Unknown" on every call you make from that phone.

This setting applies only to calls made through the Phone app — it does not affect FaceTime, iMessage, or third-party calling apps like WhatsApp or Skype. If you turn off Show My Caller ID, you cannot turn it back on for individual calls; you must toggle the setting back on in Settings before making a call where you want your number to show.

If you have an older iPhone running iOS 12 or earlier, this setting does not exist. You will need to use *67 per call instead, or contact your carrier about a permanent blocking service on your account.

Hiding caller ID on Android phones

Android does not have a system-wide setting to hide caller ID across all calls the way iPhone does. Your options are to use *67 before each call, or to contact your carrier about a permanent blocking service. Some Android phones from specific carriers may have a caller ID setting in their Phone app, but this is not standard across Android devices.

If your Android phone has a Phone app made by your carrier rather than Google's default Phone app, check the app's settings or call settings to see whether a caller ID option exists. Open the Phone app, look for Settings or a menu icon, and search for "Caller ID" or "Show My Number." If nothing appears, your carrier does not offer this feature through the phone settings.

The most reliable Android approach is dialing *67 before the number for each call you want to hide, or signing up for your carrier's anonymous calling service through your account online or by phone.

Setting up permanent caller ID blocking through your carrier

Most carriers offer a service that blocks your caller ID on all outgoing calls. The service name varies — AT&T calls it "Anonymous Call Rejection," Verizon calls it "Caller ID Blocking," and T-Mobile offers "Caller ID Blocking" as well. You can usually turn it on through your carrier's website, mobile app, or by calling customer service.

Carrier-level blocking typically costs between $3 and $5 per month, though some carriers include it free with certain plan types. Once enabled, your number will be hidden on every call you make, and you cannot override it for individual calls without turning the service off first. This is the best option if you make frequent calls where you want your number hidden.

To set up blocking, log into your carrier's account online, look for a "Caller ID" or "Privacy" section, and follow the prompts. If you cannot find it online, call your carrier's customer service number on your bill and ask them to enable caller ID blocking on your account. They can usually activate it within minutes.

What the person you call will see

When you hide your caller ID, the recipient typically sees "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown," or "Restricted" instead of your phone number. Some phones show a generic icon or simply no number at all. The exact display depends on the recipient's phone type and carrier.

People with special caller ID services — sometimes called "Caller ID Unmasking" or offered through their carrier as a premium feature — may still see your actual number even when you have blocked it. These services are uncommon and usually cost extra, but they exist. There is no way to may provide your number stays hidden from someone using these services.

If the person you call has set their phone to reject calls from blocked numbers, your call will go straight to voicemail or be rejected entirely. Some businesses and government offices automatically reject blocked calls for security reasons.

Reasons your caller ID blocking might not work

Your carrier may not support *67, especially if you have a very old phone or a prepaid plan. Some carriers disable *67 for specific call types like toll-free numbers, 911, or directory assistance. If *67 consistently does not work, call your carrier to ask whether they have disabled it on your account.

If you are using a VoIP service like Skype, Google Voice, or Magicjack instead of a traditional phone line, the blocking method depends on the service. Some VoIP apps have their own caller ID settings, while others do not support blocking at all. Check your app's settings or contact the service's support team.

Caller ID blocking also does not work on calls made through apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Messenger — those apps show the name or account you used to set them up, not your phone number. If you want to hide your identity on those platforms, you would need to use a different account or app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones and carriers?

*67 works on most landlines and many cell phones, but not all carriers support it. Some carriers have disabled it entirely, and others block it for certain call types like 911 or toll-free numbers. The only way to know if your carrier supports it is to try it or call customer service and ask.

Can I hide my caller ID on calls to 911?

No. Emergency services require your real phone number and location to dispatch help, and all carriers block caller ID hiding for 911 calls. Your number will always show to 911 operators regardless of what blocking method you use.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that your number is blocked or private, but they will not know whether you intentionally blocked it or whether it is a system-level setting on your account. Some people assume blocked calls are spam, so they may not answer or may reject the call.

Can I hide my caller ID on just some calls, not all?

Yes. Use *67 before individual calls, or turn off your carrier's permanent blocking service and use *67 when you need it. If you have turned off Show My Caller ID on iPhone, you must toggle it back on in Settings before making a call where you want your number to show.

What if I want to hide my caller ID on a business line?

Business lines work the same way as personal lines — you can use *67 per call, or contact your business phone provider about a permanent blocking service. Some business phone systems have additional privacy settings in their admin panel. Check your phone system's documentation or contact your provider's business support team.