Block your number on a single call using *67

The fastest way to hide your number on an iPhone is to dial *67 before the phone number you're calling. Type *67, then the full number including area code, and press the green call button. The recipient will see "Unknown" or "Private Number" instead of your phone number.

This method works for one call only. The next time you call someone, your number will show normally unless you dial *67 again. It works on both Wi-Fi calling and cellular calls, and it costs nothing extra — your carrier includes it as a standard feature.

If you're calling a business or government office, be aware that some systems automatically reject or deprioritize calls from blocked numbers. A few organizations, like banks and hospitals, may ask you to unblock your number before they can help you.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before any number hides your caller ID for that single call only.
  • To block your number on all outgoing calls, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turn it off.
  • Some carriers let you manage caller ID blocking through their website or customer service line instead of through your phone settings.
  • Blocking your number does not prevent the person from calling you back — they just won't see your number when you call them.
  • Emergency calls to 911 will always show your location and number, even if you have blocking turned on.

Hide your number on all calls through iPhone Settings

If you want your number blocked on every call you make, not just one, use your iPhone's built-in settings. Open the Settings app, tap Phone, then tap Show My Caller ID. Turn the toggle off (it will turn gray). From that point forward, every call you make will show as "Unknown" or "Private Number" to the person receiving it.

This setting stays on until you turn it back on. You can reverse it anytime by going back to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turning the toggle back on. There is no charge for using this feature, and it does not affect your ability to receive calls or send text messages.

If you cannot find Show My Caller ID in your Settings app, your carrier may not support this feature through the phone itself. In that case, contact your carrier's customer service line — they can often block your number from their end instead.

Block your number through your carrier's website or app

Some carriers give you a second way to manage caller ID blocking: through their own website or mobile app. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers have online account portals where you can turn caller ID blocking on or off without touching your phone settings.

Log into your carrier's website or open their app, look for a section called Settings, Privacy, or Call Management, and find the option to block or hide your caller ID. The exact name and location varies by carrier. If you cannot find it, call your carrier's customer service number — it's on your bill or on the back of your SIM card — and ask them to enable caller ID blocking on your account.

Using your carrier's system and your phone's settings at the same time will not cause problems. If you turn blocking on in both places, your number will stay blocked. If you turn it on in one place and off in the other, the phone setting takes priority.

What happens when you block your number

When your number is blocked, the person you call sees "Unknown," "Private Number," "Blocked," or a similar message instead of your phone number. They can still answer the call and talk to you normally. They can still call you back — the call will come through to your phone even though they don't have your number.

Blocking your number does not hide your identity from law enforcement, your carrier, or the phone company. If someone reports a call to the police, the carrier can still trace it back to you. Blocking is meant for privacy in everyday situations, not for hiding from legal investigation.

Text messages sent from your iPhone will still show your number even if you have caller ID blocking turned on. Blocking only affects voice calls. If you need to hide your number when texting, you would need to use a different phone or a third-party messaging app.

Why 911 calls always show your location

If you call 911 for an emergency, your number and location will be sent to the dispatcher no matter what caller ID settings you have turned on. This is a legal requirement in the United States. Emergency services need to know where you are calling from so they can send help to the right place.

Your carrier automatically overrides any caller ID blocking when you dial 911. You cannot turn this off, and you should not try to. If you are in danger and need help, the dispatcher needs your real information to reach you.

Blocking your number does not work on all calls

Some types of calls ignore your caller ID blocking settings. Calls to toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866) often show your number to the business on the other end even if you have blocking turned on. This is because many businesses need caller information to route your call to the right department.

Calls to government agencies, banks, and hospitals may also bypass your blocking. These organizations often have systems that require your real number to process your call. If you call a business and they tell you they cannot help you because your number is blocked, you will need to turn off your caller ID blocking for that call.

To unblock your number for a single call when you have blocking turned on globally, dial *82 before the phone number instead of *67. This temporarily overrides your settings for just that one call.

Troubleshooting: Your number still shows when it shouldn't

If you have turned on caller ID blocking but your number is still showing to people you call, check three things. First, make sure the toggle in Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID is actually off (gray, not green). Sometimes the setting does not save if you close Settings too quickly.

Second, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button until you see the "slide to power off" screen, slide it, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears. This clears temporary glitches that might prevent the setting from working.

Third, contact your carrier. If your phone setting is off but your number still shows, your carrier's system may not be configured to support blocking on your account. Call the customer service number on your bill and ask them to enable caller ID blocking. They can usually do this in a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block my number on FaceTime or iMessage calls?

No. FaceTime and iMessage calls show your Apple ID or phone number to the recipient, and there is no built-in way to hide it. If you need to make a call without showing your number, use a regular phone call with *67 or your caller ID blocking setting turned on. FaceTime and iMessage do not support caller ID blocking.

Will the person know I blocked my number?

They will see that the call came from a blocked or unknown number, so they will know you did not want to show your number. They will not receive a notification saying "this person blocked their number." Some people choose not to answer calls from blocked numbers, so be aware that blocking may reduce the chance they pick up.

Does blocking my number prevent someone from texting me back?

No. Blocking your caller ID only affects voice calls. Text messages always show your number, and the person can text you back normally. If you need to hide your number when texting, you would need to use a different method like a third-party messaging app.

What if I block my number and then the person calls me back?

The call will come through to your phone normally. Blocking your number only hides it when you call someone else. It does not prevent incoming calls from people you have called. They will see your number when they call you back, even though you blocked it when you called them.

Can I block my number on conference calls or group calls?

Yes. If you dial *67 before joining a conference call or group call, your number will be blocked for all participants. If you have caller ID blocking turned on in your settings, it will apply to conference calls as well. However, if the conference system requires you to enter your phone number to join, that number may still be visible to organizers.