Block your number on a single call or all calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling in two ways: block it for just one call, or block it for every call you make. The method depends on your phone type and what your carrier allows. Most carriers support both options, though some prepaid plans have restrictions.

Blocking your number means the recipient sees "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your digits. The call still goes through normally — the person can answer it, but they won't know who called unless you tell them. This is different from call blocking, which stops incoming calls from reaching you.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the number on any phone to block your number for that single call only.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to block your number on all outgoing calls.
  • On Android, the setting is in Phone > Settings > Supplementary Services > Caller ID, though the exact path varies by phone model and carrier.
  • Some businesses and government agencies reject calls from blocked numbers, so you may need to unblock before calling them.
  • Prepaid plans sometimes don't support number blocking, so check with your carrier if the method doesn't work.

Block your number for one call using *67

The quickest way to hide your number on a single call is to dial *67 before the phone number. This works on nearly all carriers and on both landlines and cell phones. Dial it exactly as shown: asterisk, then 6, then 7, then the full phone number including area code.

For example, if you're calling 555-123-4567, you would dial *67-555-123-4567. Press call. The recipient will see a blocked or private number, but the call will connect normally. This setting applies only to that one call — your next call will show your number unless you dial *67 again.

If *67 doesn't work, try #31# instead. Some carriers use this code, particularly outside the United States. If neither works, your carrier may not support per-call blocking, and you'll need to use the permanent setting instead.

Block your number on all calls from an iPhone

On iPhone, you can turn off your caller ID so every call you make shows as blocked. Open the Settings app and tap Phone. Scroll down and tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch to off (it will turn gray).

Once you turn this off, every outgoing call will display as private or blocked to the recipient. You can turn it back on anytime by returning to the same setting and toggling it on again. This setting stays in place until you change it, even if you restart your phone.

If you don't see this option, your carrier may not support it, or you may be on a prepaid plan with restrictions. Contact your carrier to confirm the feature is available on your account.

Block your number on all calls from Android

On Android, the setting location varies by phone model and carrier, but the general path is Phone app > Settings > Supplementary Services > Caller ID. Open your Phone app and look for a Settings or Menu option (usually three dots or lines in the corner). Tap it, then look for Supplementary Services, Call Settings, or Additional Settings.

Find the option labeled Caller ID, Show Caller ID, or Display My Number. Select the option to hide or block your number. Some phones phrase this as "Hide Number" or "Anonymous Call." The exact wording and menu structure depend on your phone manufacturer and carrier.

If you can't find the setting, search your phone's help for "hide caller ID" or contact your carrier. Some carriers require you to call them to enable this feature, particularly on prepaid accounts. Once enabled, the setting persists across calls and restarts until you turn it back on.

When businesses and government agencies reject blocked calls

Many businesses, banks, and government offices automatically reject calls from blocked numbers because they assume spam. If you need to call your doctor's office, your bank, or a government agency, you may need to unblock your number first so they'll accept the call.

Before calling, check the organization's website or call their main line to ask whether they accept blocked calls. If they don't, you have two options: unblock your number for that call, or ask them for an alternative way to reach them, such as a callback number or online form.

If you have the permanent setting turned on, you can still unblock for a single call by dialing *82 before the number (or #31# on some carriers). This temporarily overrides your blocked setting for just that one call.

Prepaid plans and carrier restrictions

Some prepaid carriers and budget plans don't support number blocking at all. If you've tried *67 and the permanent settings and nothing works, your plan may not include this feature. Call your carrier's customer service line and ask whether caller ID blocking is available on your account.

If it's not included, you have limited options. Some carriers will add it for a small monthly fee. Others don't offer it at all. If blocking is important to you, you may need to switch to a different carrier or plan that supports it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone still call me back if I block my number?

No. When you block your number, the recipient sees only "Private" or "Blocked" — they have no number to call back. If you want them to reach you, you'll need to unblock your number or call them back yourself.

Will the person know I called if my number is blocked?

They'll know someone called them, but they won't see your number. If you don't speak or leave a message, they won't know who it was. If you identify yourself during the call, they'll know it was you.

Does blocking my number hide it from my phone bill?

No. Your carrier's records still show the call was made from your number. Blocking only hides your number from the person receiving the call. Your carrier and law enforcement can still trace the call to you if needed.

What's the difference between *67 and turning off Show My Caller ID?

*67 blocks your number for one call only. Turning off Show My Caller ID (or the Android equivalent) blocks your number on every call until you turn it back on. Use *67 if you want to block just one call; use the permanent setting if you want all calls blocked.

Why does my blocked call go straight to voicemail?

Some people set their phones to reject blocked calls automatically. If this happens, try calling back with your number unblocked, or ask the person to check their settings and allow blocked calls through.