Block your number on individual calls or permanently

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling in two ways: block it for a single call, or block it for all outgoing calls. The method depends on your phone type and whether you want the block to be temporary or permanent. Most carriers let you do both at no cost.

On iPhone, you use Settings. On Android, the method varies by manufacturer and carrier. Some carriers also let you manage blocking through their website or customer service line. If you block your number, the recipient sees "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your digits.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to block your number on all calls, or dial *67 before the number to block it on one call only.
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Phone > Permissions, enable the "Block number" option if available, or dial *67 before the number for a single blocked call.
  • Some Android phones from Samsung, Google, and others have built-in blocking in the Phone app itself rather than in system Settings.
  • Your carrier may offer a web portal or phone line where you can manage caller ID blocking without changing phone settings.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the recipient from calling you back, texting you, or contacting you through other means.

Block your number on iPhone

To hide your number on all calls, open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch off. Your number will now be blocked on every call you make until you turn it back on.

To block your number on a single call only, dial *67 before the phone number. For example, if you are calling 555-123-4567, dial *67555-123-4567. The recipient will see a blocked number, but your setting remains unchanged for future calls.

If you do not see the Show My Caller ID option in Settings > Phone, your carrier may not support this feature, or you may need to contact them to enable it. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee, though most do not.

Block your number on Android

The steps vary depending on your phone manufacturer. On Google Pixel phones, open the Phone app, tap your profile picture in the top right, go to Settings > Caller ID, and toggle "Show my caller ID" off. On Samsung phones, open the Phone app, tap the menu icon (three dots), go to Settings > More settings > Caller ID, and select "Hide number."

If your phone does not have a built-in option, open Settings, go to Apps, find Phone, tap Permissions, and look for a caller ID or blocking option. If nothing appears there, dial *67 before the number to block it on a single call.

Some Android phones and carriers do not support permanent caller ID blocking through the phone itself. In that case, contact your carrier directly to ask whether they offer the feature through their website or customer service.

Block your number for a single call on any phone

The *67 method works on nearly all phones and carriers in the United States. Dial *67, then the full phone number including the area code. The recipient will see a blocked or private number.

On some carriers or phone systems, you may need to dial 1167 instead of *67, or the code may not work at all. If *67 does not work, try 1167. If neither works, contact your carrier to ask what code they use.

The *67 block applies only to that single call. Your next call will show your number again unless you have also turned on permanent blocking in your phone settings.

Manage blocking through your carrier

Most major carriers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others — let you manage caller ID blocking through their website or by calling customer service. Log into your carrier account online and look for a section called Caller ID, Privacy Settings, or Call Management. You can usually toggle blocking on or off from there.

Some carriers offer additional options, such as blocking your number only for calls to certain types of numbers (like toll-free lines) or scheduling when the block is active. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service number on the back of your bill to learn what options are available to you.

If you are on a prepaid plan or a smaller carrier, blocking may not be available, or it may require calling customer service to set up. Ask whether there is a fee — most carriers do not charge, but some do.

What happens when you block your number

When you block your number, the recipient sees "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "No Caller ID" instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call, hear you, and talk to you normally. Blocking your number does not prevent them from calling you back, texting you, or reaching you through other apps or methods.

Some businesses and government offices do not accept calls from blocked numbers. If your call goes to voicemail or is rejected, unblock your number and try again. Hospitals, banks, and government agencies sometimes screen out blocked calls as a security measure.

Blocking your number is legal in the United States. However, some states have laws against blocking your number when calling 911 or certain government offices. Never block your number in an emergency.

Unblock your number

To turn off permanent blocking on iPhone, go back to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it on. On Android, follow the same steps you used to turn it on, but toggle the setting off instead.

If you blocked your number through your carrier's website, log back in and toggle the setting off. If you set it up by phone, call customer service and ask them to remove the block.

If you used *67 for a single call, your number will show normally on your next call without any action needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number when calling 911?

No. Never block your number when calling 911 or any emergency service. Emergency dispatchers need your number to locate you and send help. Blocking your number on an emergency call is illegal in most states and can delay emergency response.

Will the person I call know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a blocked or private number, but they will not know it was you specifically unless you tell them. If you want them to know who you are, you will need to unblock your number or tell them your name when they answer.

Can I block my number for texts?

No. Text messages always show your phone number to the recipient. There is no built-in way to hide your number on SMS or MMS texts. If you want to send an anonymous message, use a messaging app like Signal or WhatsApp, where you can control what information you share.

What if blocking my number does not work?

Some carriers, phone systems, or recipients' phones may not support caller ID blocking. Try using *67 instead of your phone's settings, or contact your carrier to confirm the feature is turned on. If the recipient has a phone system that rejects blocked calls, you will need to unblock your number to reach them.

Does blocking my number hide my location?

No. Blocking your number hides only your phone number from the recipient's caller ID. It does not hide your location or any other information. If someone has your phone number through other means, they can still identify you.