How to block your number on a phone call

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling by adding a code before the number. On most phones in the United States, dial *67 before the phone number, then press call. The recipient will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number. This works on both landlines and cell phones, though some services and emergency numbers cannot be called this way.

The method varies slightly by country. In the United Kingdom, use #31# before the number. In Australia, use 1831. Canada uses the same code as the US: *67. Check with your phone provider if you are outside North America, as the code may differ.

This temporary block lasts only for that single call. If you want to hide your number on every call you make, you can set it as a default in your phone's settings instead of typing the code each time.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number in the US to block your number for one call; the recipient will see "Private" or "Blocked."
  • Some calls cannot go through when your number is blocked, including calls to emergency services, toll-free numbers, and some businesses.
  • You can set your number to block by default in your phone settings so you do not have to type *67 every time.
  • The blocking code is different in other countries — use #31# in the UK and 1831 in Australia.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the recipient from seeing other information about you, such as your name if it is stored in their contacts.

Setting your number to block on every call

If you want your number hidden on all outgoing calls, you can change this in your phone settings rather than typing *67 each time. The steps differ between iPhone and Android phones.

On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Phone, then select Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch off. Your number will now be blocked on every call you make. You can turn it back on the same way if you change your mind.

On an Android phone, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Call Settings. Look for a Caller ID option and choose "Hide Number" or "Private Number." The exact wording and location depend on your phone model and carrier, so check your carrier's support page if you cannot find it.

When blocking your number does not work

Some types of calls will not go through when your number is blocked. Emergency services like 911 will not accept blocked calls — your number is always sent to 911 dispatchers regardless of the *67 code. Toll-free numbers (those starting with 800, 888, 877, or 866) often reject blocked calls. Many businesses, banks, and government offices also refuse calls from blocked numbers.

If you need to reach one of these services and your number is set to block by default, you will need to unblock it for that call. On iPhone, toggle Show My Caller ID back on before calling. On Android, change the Caller ID setting back to show your number. Then make the call, and change it back afterward if you want.

Some recipients have services that reveal blocked numbers anyway, though this is rare. If someone has paid for a service that unblocks private calls, they may see your number despite the *67 code. This is not common, but it is possible.

Blocking your number versus caller ID blocking

Blocking your number with *67 is different from caller ID blocking through your phone plan. When you use *67, you are hiding your number for that call only. Caller ID blocking through your carrier hides your number on every call, similar to changing your phone settings, but it is managed by your phone company instead of your phone.

Some carriers charge a monthly fee for caller ID blocking, while others offer it free. Contact your carrier to ask whether they offer this service and what it costs. Using *67 is free and requires no setup, so it is usually the simpler choice if you only need to block your number occasionally.

Privacy and legal considerations

Blocking your number is legal in the United States and most other countries. You have the right to keep your phone number private on outgoing calls. However, using a blocked number to harass, threaten, or defraud someone is illegal, and blocking your number does not prevent law enforcement from tracing your call if a crime has been committed.

Some workplaces and industries have rules about when employees can use blocked numbers. If you are calling on behalf of a business or organization, check with your employer before blocking your number, as it may violate company policy or legal requirements for that industry.

Blocking incoming calls from others

If you want to block calls from someone else rather than hide your own number, that is a different process. On iPhone, open the Phone app, find the number or contact you want to block, tap the info icon, scroll down, and select Block This Caller. On Android, open the Phone app, find the number, tap the three-dot menu, and select Block Number.

Blocked callers will not reach you — their calls go straight to voicemail, and you will not see a notification. They will not know they are blocked, though they may suspect it if their calls never connect. You can unblock a number the same way if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number, so they will know the call came from a blocked number. They will not receive a notification that you specifically blocked it — they will only see that the number is hidden.

Can I block my number when texting?

No. The *67 code works only for voice calls. Text messages always show your number to the recipient. If you want to send a text without revealing your number, you would need to use a separate texting app that masks your identity, though most carriers and recipients can still identify you through other means.

What if I block my number and the call does not go through?

The call likely failed because you reached a service that does not accept blocked calls, such as 911, a toll-free number, or a business. Remove the *67 code or unblock your number in settings and try again. If the call still fails, the problem may be with your phone service or network connection rather than the blocking code.

Does blocking my number hide my name if it is in their contacts?

No. If the person has your number saved in their phone with your name attached, they will see your name even if your number is blocked. The block hides only the number itself, not the identity information they already have stored.

Can I block my number on a conference call or three-way call?

Yes, you can use *67 before dialing on a conference call or three-way call, and your number will be blocked for all participants. However, if any participant has your number saved in their contacts, they will still see your name.