How to Block Your Phone Number When Calling

To hide your phone number for an upcoming call in the United States, try dialing *67 before the number you want to call, or turn off outgoing caller ID in your phone settings. Caller ID blocking depends on your carrier, device, account, and the type of number being called, so verify support with your carrier before relying on it.

Caller ID is the information that identifies your phone number—and sometimes your name—on the recipient’s screen. When blocking works, the recipient may see a label such as “Private,” “Blocked,” or “Unknown” instead of your number.

How can you block your phone number when calling?

There are three main ways to block your phone number when calling someone:

• For one call: Enter a carrier-supported privacy prefix before the number. This is useful when you normally want your number displayed.
• In phone settings: Disable outgoing caller ID on an iPhone or Android phone. This may hide your number on later calls until you turn the setting back on.
• Through your carrier: Ask your mobile or landline carrier whether account-level caller ID blocking is available. Carrier-level blocking may apply automatically to outgoing calls.

The available method can depend on your service. If you are asking “how do I block my phone number when calling someone,” start with the one-call method, then confirm that the recipient’s screen shows your number as private.

How do you block your number for one call?

Many United States phone services support *67 as a per-call caller ID blocking prefix. Availability is not universal, so check with your carrier before using it for an important call.

1. Open the Phone app and display the keypad.
2. Enter *67.
3. Immediately enter the full number you want to call, including the area code.
4. Place the call normally.

This is a common answer to “how to turn off caller ID for a call” or “how to call with a blocked number.” The prefix normally affects only that call; it does not permanently change your caller ID setting. Place a test call to someone you trust if you need to confirm that your number is hidden.

How do you hide caller ID on an iPhone?

On a current iPhone software version, the caller ID control may be available in the Phone settings.

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Select Phone.
4. Select Show My Caller ID.
5. Turn off Show My Caller ID.

On some earlier software versions, Phone appears directly in Settings instead of under Apps. If Show My Caller ID is missing, gray, or cannot be changed, your carrier or account may control the feature. Contact the carrier and ask whether outgoing caller ID blocking is supported for your line. A work, school, or organization-managed iPhone may also restrict changes.

How do you hide caller ID on Android?

Android menu names differ by phone maker, software version, Phone app, and carrier. A typical way to make your number private when calling is:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Open its menu and select Settings.
3. Look for Calling accounts, Calls, Supplementary services, or Additional settings.
4. Select the SIM or phone line if the device has more than one.
5. Choose Caller ID or Show your caller ID.
6. Select Hide number or Never.

If you cannot find the setting, search the device settings for “caller ID.” A missing or unavailable option often means the carrier controls it. Ask the carrier how to hide your phone number when calling from that specific line rather than copying steps intended for another Android model.

Why does caller ID blocking not work?

Blocking caller ID when calling may fail even when you entered the prefix or changed the correct setting. Common reasons include:

• The carrier, calling plan, or line does not support the selected method.
• The device displays a setting that the carrier has disabled or controls separately.
• Certain call types or destination numbers do not accept caller ID blocking.
• The recipient rejects anonymous, private, or unknown calls automatically.
• A work, school, or organization-managed device prevents changes.
• A calling app uses its own account identity instead of the mobile line’s caller ID setting.

Do not assume that a “Private” label will appear on every call. If the call is important, test the method with a trusted recipient and verify support with your carrier.

How do you show your phone number again?

To show your number again after changing phone settings, return to the Caller ID or Show My Caller ID menu and enable the option. If your carrier placed blocking on the line, ask the carrier to remove or change it.

Some carriers support a per-call prefix that reveals caller ID when account-level blocking is active. The prefix is not the same for every service, so obtain the correct instructions directly from your carrier. Do not guess a dialing code, especially when the recipient must be able to identify or return the call.

Does hiding your caller ID make a call anonymous?

Hiding your caller ID changes what the recipient normally sees; it does not make the call anonymous to the phone company or authorities. Carriers still process call records, and caller ID blocking does not prevent lawful access to identifying information.

Use caller ID blocking for ordinary privacy, such as keeping a personal number from appearing during an appropriate call. It should not be used for harassment, impersonation, threats, fraud, or avoiding accountability. A recipient may also decline the call because many phones and services can silence or reject blocked numbers.