You cannot hide your number in a standard text message the way you can with a phone call

When you send a text message through your phone's default messaging app, your phone number is always visible to the recipient. Unlike calls, where you can dial *67 to block your number on a per-call basis, text messages do not have a built-in feature to mask your sender ID. Your carrier embeds your number into every SMS (standard text message) you send, and the recipient's phone displays it automatically.

If you need to send a text without revealing your number, you have a few real alternatives — but each one works differently and has its own trade-offs. The method you choose depends on whether you want temporary anonymity, permanent separation from a contact, or a way to text from a different identity.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard text messages always show your phone number to the recipient; there is no *67 equivalent for SMS.
  • Third-party messaging apps like Google Voice, Signal, or WhatsApp let you send messages from a different number or username instead of your phone number.
  • Google Voice gives you a separate phone number you can use for texting and calling, and you can delete the conversation history afterward.
  • Blocking your number works in reverse — it prevents others from texting you — rather than hiding your identity when you send a message.

Using Google Voice to text from a different number

Google Voice is the most straightforward way to send a text from a number that is not your own. You create a free Google account, claim a Google Voice number (which looks like a real phone number), and use the Google Voice app or website to send and receive texts from that number instead of your actual phone number.

When you text someone through Google Voice, they see the Google Voice number, not your personal phone number. You can delete the conversation afterward, and there is no record of it on your phone's default messaging app. The recipient can still reply, and those replies come back to your Google Voice inbox. Google Voice works on both Android and iPhone, though the iPhone app has fewer features than the Android version.

The trade-off is that Google Voice numbers are free but not always instant to set up — you may have to wait a few hours or days for the number to activate. Also, if the recipient tries to call the Google Voice number, it rings through to whatever phone number you linked to your Google Voice account, so true anonymity requires more planning.

Messaging apps that hide your phone number

Apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram let you message people using your username or account name instead of your phone number. The recipient sees your chosen display name, not your actual phone number, unless you tell them what it is.

WhatsApp requires a phone number to set up, but once you are in a conversation, the other person sees only your name (which you control). Signal works the same way. Telegram goes further — you can create a username and message people who know that username without ever sharing your phone number at all. However, all three apps require the recipient to also have the app installed, which is not always the case.

These apps are useful if you want ongoing anonymous or semi-anonymous communication with someone, but they do not work if the recipient only uses standard text messaging.

Why you might confuse this with call blocking

Many people search for "how to block your number on a text" when they actually want to block someone else from texting them. Those are opposite actions. To stop someone from texting you, you block their number in your phone's contacts or messaging app — a feature that exists on every phone. To hide your number when you send a text, you use one of the methods above.

If someone is harassing you by text, blocking them is the right move. If you want to send a message without revealing your identity, Google Voice or a messaging app is the right move. The confusion is common because the language sounds similar, but the outcome is completely different.

What happens if you try to use *67 for texting

Some people try dialing *67 before a text message, thinking it will block their number the way it does for calls. It does not work. *67 is a carrier feature that applies only to voice calls, and it has no effect on SMS messages. If you type *67 into a text message, it just sends those characters as part of your message, and the recipient sees your number anyway.

This is a limitation of how SMS works at the carrier level, not a setting you can change on your phone. The phone number is baked into the message by your carrier's network before it reaches the recipient.

Temporary solutions if you need anonymity once

If you need to send a single anonymous text and do not want to set up a new app or account, a few options exist but are less reliable. Some websites let you send anonymous texts through their platform, but these services are often blocked by carriers or flagged as spam. Many recipients will not trust a message from an unknown source, especially if it comes from a web-based sender.

Borrowing someone else's phone and texting from their number is the most straightforward temporary solution, though it is not practical in most situations. The most reliable long-term approach remains Google Voice or a messaging app, both of which take only a few minutes to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I text someone without them knowing my number?

Yes, using Google Voice, WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram. These apps show your username or a separate number instead of your phone number. The recipient will not see your actual phone number unless you tell them.

Does *67 work for text messages?

No. *67 blocks your number only on voice calls. Texting *67 before your message just sends those characters as part of the text, and your phone number still appears to the recipient.

If I delete a text conversation, does the recipient still see my number?

Yes. Deleting a conversation on your phone does not change what the recipient sees or has already received. They still have the message with your number visible. Only using a separate service like Google Voice prevents your actual number from appearing in the first place.

What is the difference between blocking a number and hiding your number?

Blocking a number stops someone from contacting you. Hiding your number prevents someone from seeing your identity when you contact them. They are opposite actions.

Is Google Voice free?

Yes. Creating a Google Voice account and claiming a number is free. Texting through Google Voice is free within the United States. International texting may have charges depending on the country.