The three ways to block your number on a single call

You can hide your phone number from the person you're calling by entering a code before you dial, by turning on a setting in your phone's call app, or by asking your carrier to block it on all your calls. The code method works on almost any phone and takes two seconds. The setting method is easiest if you block your number often. The carrier method is permanent but requires a phone call to your provider.

Which method you use depends on whether you want to hide your number just once, sometimes, or all the time. If you're calling a business or someone you don't know well, the code method is fastest. If you're calling friends or family regularly without showing your number, the phone setting is more convenient. If you never want your number to show up, your carrier can do it for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Entering *67 before you dial hides your number on most landlines and cell phones in the United States and Canada.
  • Your phone's call app usually has a setting to hide your number by default, found under Settings > Phone or Settings > Call Settings depending on your device.
  • Your carrier can permanently block your number from showing on outgoing calls if you call them and request it, though some carriers charge a small monthly fee.
  • The person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead of your number, but they can still answer and hear you.

Using the *67 code before you dial

The fastest way to hide your number on a single call is to dial *67, then the phone number you want to reach. On most phones in the US and Canada, this tells the network not to send your number to the person you're calling. They will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" on their screen instead of your digits.

This works on both cell phones and landlines. If you're using a phone that requires you to dial 1 before the area code, enter *67 first, then 1, then the full number. The code takes effect only for that one call. Your next call will show your number again unless you enter *67 again.

If the call doesn't go through, it usually means your carrier doesn't support the code or the person you're calling has set their phone to reject calls from blocked numbers. Some businesses and government offices automatically decline unknown callers, so they won't answer.

Turning on the "Hide My Caller ID" setting on your phone

If you regularly call people without showing your number, you can turn on a setting in your phone's call app so your number stays hidden by default. On iPhones, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and turn it off. On Android phones, the setting is usually in Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID, though the exact path varies by phone model and carrier.

Once you turn this on, every call you make will show as "Unknown" or "Private" unless you turn the setting back off. Unlike the *67 code, which hides your number for one call at a time, this setting applies to all your outgoing calls until you change it. If you need to show your number for a specific call, you'll have to turn the setting back on, make the call, then turn it off again.

Some carriers don't allow this setting on their network, so if you can't find it on your phone, contact your carrier to ask whether they support caller ID blocking.

Asking your carrier to block your number permanently

If you want your number hidden on every call you make, you can contact your carrier and request that they block your caller ID on your account. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and tell them you want to block your outgoing caller ID. Most carriers will do this at no charge, though a few charge $1 to $3 per month for the service.

Once your carrier sets this up, your number will not show on any outgoing calls. The person you call will see "Unknown," "Private," or "Blocked" instead. This is different from the phone setting because it happens at the carrier's network level, not on your device. If you later want to show your number again, you'll need to call your carrier and ask them to turn it back on.

Some carriers have restrictions on this service. A few will not block your number if you have a business line, and some require you to request it in writing or through your online account rather than by phone. Ask your carrier what their process is before you call.

What the person you're calling will see

When you hide your number using any of these methods, the person you're calling will not see your phone number on their screen. Instead, they will see one of these labels: "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," "No Caller ID," or "Restricted." The exact label depends on their phone and carrier, not on which method you used.

The person can still answer the call and hear you speak. They can also try to call you back, but the call will not go through because they don't have your number. If they have their phone set to reject calls from unknown numbers, the call will go straight to voicemail or be declined automatically.

When blocking your number might not work

Some situations prevent your number from being hidden, even if you use *67 or have the setting turned on. If you call a business that has a system to unblock caller ID, they may see your number anyway. Government agencies, banks, and emergency services sometimes have this ability. If you call someone who has set their phone to reject unknown callers, they won't receive your call at all.

If you're calling from a VoIP service like Google Voice or Skype, the blocking method depends on the service. Some VoIP apps have their own caller ID settings, and *67 may not work. Check your app's settings or contact the service to learn how to hide your number.

If you're calling from a business phone system or office phone, your company's phone administrator may have settings that override your personal caller ID preferences. Ask your IT department or phone provider whether you can block your number on business calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on cell phones and landlines?

Yes, *67 works on both. On cell phones, dial *67 before the number you want to call. On landlines, the process is the same. Some carriers may not support it, so if it doesn't work, contact your carrier to confirm they allow caller ID blocking.

Can someone trace my number if I block it?

No, the person you call cannot trace your number if it's blocked. They will only see "Unknown" or "Private." Law enforcement and emergency services have different tools to trace calls, but a regular person cannot find your number from a blocked call.

Will my voicemail message show my number if I block it?

If the person doesn't answer and your call goes to voicemail, they will not see your number in the voicemail notification. However, if you leave a message that includes your number, they will know it from what you say, not from the caller ID.

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

*67 hides your number for one call only. The next call you make will show your number again. Turning off "Show My Caller ID" hides your number on every call until you turn the setting back on. Use *67 for occasional calls and the setting for regular blocking.

Do I need to pay to block my number?

Using *67 and the phone setting are free. Asking your carrier to block your number permanently is usually free, though some carriers charge $1 to $3 per month. Ask your carrier about their pricing before you request it.