You can block your number on most phones by dialing a code before the call, or by changing your settings permanently

The simplest way to hide your number from the person you're calling is to dial *67 before you enter their number on a landline or most mobile phones in the United States. Press *67, then dial the number as usual. The recipient will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your phone number. This works for a single call only — your number will show normally on your next call unless you dial *67 again.

If you want to block your number on every call you make, you can change the setting in your phone's system rather than dialing a code each time. The steps differ between iPhone and Android, and between carriers, so the method that works depends on what device and service you have.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before a number hides your caller ID for that single call on most US phones and landlines.
  • iPhone users can turn off caller ID permanently in Settings under Phone, while Android users typically find this option in their carrier's settings or phone app.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee (usually $3 to $5) to block your number on all outgoing calls, while *67 is free each time you use it.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent emergency services from seeing it — 911 calls always show your location and number to dispatchers.
  • Recipient's phone settings may override your block, so some people may still see your number even when you've blocked it.

How to block your number on a single call with *67

On a traditional landline or most mobile phones, dial *67 immediately before entering the phone number you want to call. The sequence is: *67, then the area code and number. Press call or send as you normally would. The person receiving the call will see a blocked or private number instead of yours.

This method works on most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular, though some carriers or phone plans may not support it. If *67 doesn't work on your phone, your carrier may not offer the feature, or your plan may have restrictions. You can contact your carrier to ask whether *67 blocking is available on your account.

The block applies only to that single call. Once you hang up, your number will display normally on your next outgoing call unless you dial *67 again. This is useful if you want to block your number occasionally without changing your permanent settings.

Blocking your number permanently on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Phone. Scroll down and look for "Show My Caller ID" or "Caller ID." Toggle this setting off. Once disabled, your number will be blocked on all outgoing calls. The recipient will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number.

If you don't see this option in the Phone settings, your carrier may not support permanent caller ID blocking, or the setting may be located in a different menu. Some carriers hide this option in their own apps rather than in the standard iPhone settings. Check your carrier's app or contact them to confirm whether the feature is available on your plan.

Turning off caller ID on iPhone does not affect FaceTime or iMessage — those services use your Apple ID and will still show your name or contact information to the recipient. If you want to hide your identity on those services as well, you'll need to adjust privacy settings within each app separately.

Blocking your number permanently on Android

The location of this setting varies by phone manufacturer and carrier. On most Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-line menu (hamburger icon), and select Settings. Look for "Caller ID," "Show My Number," or "Supplementary Services." Toggle the setting to hide your number on all outgoing calls.

If you can't find this option in the Phone app settings, check your carrier's dedicated app. Verizon users can look in the My Verizon app, AT&T users in the AT&T Mobile app, and T-Mobile users in the T-Mobile app. Some carriers require you to manage caller ID blocking through their website or by calling customer service instead.

Samsung phones sometimes place this setting under Phone > Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID. Google Pixel phones may have it under Phone > Settings > Caller ID. If you're unsure where to find it on your specific model, search your phone's help documentation for "hide caller ID" or contact your carrier's support line.

What happens when you block your number

When your number is blocked, the recipient sees "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call and hear you speak. Some people have settings on their phones that automatically reject calls from blocked numbers, so your call may go to voicemail without the recipient ever knowing you tried to reach them.

Blocking your number does not hide your identity if the recipient knows you or recognizes your voice. It only prevents them from seeing your phone number on their screen. If you leave a voicemail, they may be able to call you back or trace the call through other means depending on their phone's capabilities and their carrier's services.

Emergency services (911 in the United States) will always see your full phone number and location, even if you have caller ID blocking turned on. The block does not apply to emergency calls — this is a safety feature built into all phone systems.

Carrier fees and restrictions for permanent blocking

Using *67 for individual calls is free on most carriers. However, if you want to block your number on all outgoing calls permanently, some carriers charge a monthly fee. This fee typically ranges from $3 to $5 per month, though it varies by carrier and plan. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all offer permanent blocking, but you should confirm the cost with your specific carrier before enabling it.

Some carriers include caller ID blocking for free as part of certain plan tiers, while others charge only if you want the feature added. Business plans and some premium consumer plans may include it at no extra cost. Contact your carrier's customer service to ask whether permanent blocking is free on your account or what the monthly charge would be.

If you're on a prepaid or budget carrier, permanent blocking may not be available at all, or it may cost more than on major carriers. In those cases, using *67 for individual calls is usually your only option.

Why someone might still see your number even when you've blocked it

Some phones and carriers have settings that override caller ID blocking. If the recipient has enabled a feature that forces all calls to show the caller's number, they may see your number even when you've blocked it. This is more common on business phones and phones with advanced security settings.

If you're calling someone who has specifically requested your number (such as for a job application, medical appointment, or legal matter), they may have a system in place that captures your number regardless of your blocking settings. Government agencies and law enforcement can also access blocked numbers through their own systems.

Blocking your number is a privacy tool, not a security tool. It prevents casual identification but does not may provide anonymity. If you need true anonymity for a sensitive call, consider using a different phone, a calling app with a temporary number, or speaking with the organization you're calling about alternative contact methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones and carriers?

*67 works on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States, but not all carriers support it. Some prepaid carriers, smaller regional carriers, and certain phone plans may not offer the feature. If *67 doesn't work on your phone, contact your carrier to ask whether it's available on your account or plan.

Can I block my number when calling a business or government office?

You can dial *67 or use your phone's blocking settings, but many businesses and government offices have systems that capture your number anyway. If you need to reach them without revealing your number, call their main line and ask to be transferred to the department you need, or use a calling app with a temporary number.

Will the person I'm calling know I blocked my number?

They'll see that the call came from a blocked or unknown number, but they won't receive a notification saying you specifically blocked it. If they answer, they'll hear your voice and may recognize you. If they don't answer, they'll see a missed call from "Unknown" or "Private" in their call log.

What's the difference between *67 and turning off caller ID in my phone settings?

*67 blocks your number for a single call only and is free. Turning off caller ID in settings blocks your number on every call you make, but some carriers charge a monthly fee for this feature. *67 is better if you only occasionally want to hide your number; permanent blocking is better if you want it hidden all the time.

If I block my number, can the person I'm calling still reach me back?

If they answer your call, they can call you back — your number is still stored in their phone's call log as "Unknown" or "Private," but the call connection exists. If they try to call the blocked number directly, the call will go through to you normally because blocking only affects outgoing calls, not incoming ones.