Block your number on individual calls or for all outgoing calls

You can hide your phone number from the person you are calling in two ways: block it for a single call, or block it permanently on your phone line. The method you use depends on your phone type and how often you need to hide your number.

On most phones, you can add a code before the number to block your caller ID just once. If you want your number hidden every time you call, you can set it in your phone's settings or contact your phone company to block it at the network level. Network-level blocking is more reliable because it works even if the person you call has special equipment designed to reveal blocked numbers.

Key Takeaways

  • Dial *67 before the phone number on a landline or most mobile phones to hide your number for that single call only.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to hide your number on all outgoing calls.
  • On Android, open Phone > Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID and select Hide Number to block your number permanently.
  • Your phone company can block your number at the network level, which prevents it from showing even to people using caller ID unmasking services.
  • Some phone companies charge a monthly fee for permanent number blocking, while the *67 code is always free.

Block your number on a single call using *67

The easiest way to hide your number for one call is to use the *67 code. This works on most landlines and mobile phones in North America. Dial *67, then the full phone number you want to reach, and press call. The recipient will see "Private Number," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your phone number.

The *67 code works every time at no cost. However, it only blocks your number for that one call. The next time you call someone, your number will show normally unless you dial *67 again. If you forget to dial *67 before the number, your caller ID will display as usual — there is no way to block it retroactively after you have already called.

Some businesses and government offices refuse to accept calls from blocked numbers. If your call does not go through, try calling again without blocking your number, or contact the organization to ask if they accept private calls.

Hide your number on all calls using your iPhone settings

If you have an iPhone and want to hide your number on every call you make, you can turn off caller ID in your phone settings. Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Show My Caller ID. Toggle the switch to off. From that point forward, your number will be hidden on all outgoing calls unless you turn the setting back on.

This setting hides your number only on your phone itself. If your phone company has caller ID blocking turned on at the network level, your number will stay hidden even if you toggle this setting back on. Turning off Show My Caller ID does not affect incoming calls or text messages — only calls you make.

If you change your mind, the process is the same: go back to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it on. Your number will display normally on your next call.

Hide your number on all calls using Android settings

On Android phones, the steps vary slightly depending on your phone manufacturer and which version of Android you have. Most Android users can hide their number by opening the Phone app, tapping the three-line menu icon, selecting Settings, then Calls, then Additional Settings, then Caller ID. Choose Hide Number from the menu.

Some Android phones use different menu names. If you cannot find Caller ID in Additional Settings, look for a setting called "Show My Phone Number" or "Caller ID" in the main Calls settings menu. If you still cannot locate it, search your phone's settings for "caller ID" using the search function at the top of the Settings app.

Once you have hidden your number, it will stay hidden on all outgoing calls. To show your number again, go back to the same menu and select Show Number or toggle the setting back on.

Request permanent number blocking from your phone company

Your phone company can block your number at the network level, which is more secure than phone-level blocking. Network-level blocking prevents your number from showing even if someone uses a service designed to unmask blocked caller IDs. This type of blocking is permanent and applies to all calls you make from that phone line.

Contact your phone company's customer service and ask for permanent caller ID blocking or per-line blocking. Some companies call this feature "Anonymous Call Rejection" or "Caller ID Blocking." Ask whether there is a monthly fee — some phone companies charge $2 to $5 per month for this service, while others offer it free.

Once your phone company enables network-level blocking, your number will be hidden on all calls from that line. You do not need to dial any code or change your phone settings. If you want to show your number on a specific call, you can usually dial *82 to override the block for that call only, though this depends on your phone company's system.

Understand what the person receiving your call will see

When you block your number, the person you call will see one of several messages instead of your phone number. On a landline phone, they might see "Private Number," "Blocked Call," "Unknown," or "Out of Area." On a mobile phone, the display varies by the phone's manufacturer and the recipient's phone company.

Some phone systems show a generic message like "Restricted" or "Anonymous." Others show nothing at all — the call comes through but no caller ID information appears. The exact display depends on the recipient's phone type and their phone company's system, not on your phone or your blocking method.

If the recipient has call waiting or a phone system that logs all incoming calls, they may still see your number in their call logs even though it did not display on the incoming call screen. This is a limitation of how phone systems work and cannot be prevented by blocking your number on your end.

Know when number blocking will not work

Some phone systems and services are designed to reveal blocked numbers. Law enforcement, emergency services, and some government agencies can see your number even when you have blocked it. If you call 911, your location and phone number will be visible to the dispatcher regardless of your caller ID settings.

Certain businesses, banks, and hospitals have systems that automatically reject or flag calls from blocked numbers. If your call does not go through to a business, try calling without blocking your number. You can also ask the business whether they accept calls from private numbers before you call.

If you are calling from a business phone line, your company's phone system may override your personal blocking settings. Check with your IT department or phone administrator to see whether your workplace allows outgoing caller ID blocking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on all phones?

*67 works on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States and Canada. It does not work on all phone systems — some VoIP services, international calls, and certain business phone lines do not support it. If *67 does not work, try contacting your phone company to request network-level blocking instead.

Can I block my number and still receive calls?

Yes. Blocking your outgoing caller ID does not affect incoming calls. People can still call you normally, and you will receive their calls. Your number blocking only applies to calls you make, not calls you receive.

What is the difference between *67 and network-level blocking?

*67 blocks your number only for that single call and only on your phone. Network-level blocking, set up through your phone company, hides your number on all calls and is harder to unmask. Network blocking is more reliable but may cost a monthly fee.

If I block my number, can the person I call still reach me back?

No. When you block your number, the recipient cannot call you back because they do not have your number. If you need them to reach you, provide your number in a text message or email, or call without blocking your number.

Will blocking my number prevent spam filters from blocking my call?

No. Blocking your number may actually make spam filters more likely to block your call, because many spam calls use blocked numbers. If you are calling a business or someone who does not know you, showing your real number is more likely to get through.