Keep your number private with simple, free methods on any phone.
Quick Answer: How to Block Your Number When You Call
To block your number when making a call, dial *67 before the number or adjust your phone’s caller ID settings prior to calling to hide your number by default.
Why You Might Want to Hide Your Number
In a world where more and more seems to be shared by the day, sometimes you just want to keep things private. Maybe you’re returning a Craigslist or Marketplace call, contacting a business for a one-time inquiry or avoiding unwanted callbacks. Whatever your reason, making your number private when making a call is simple and free. And the best part? It works on nearly any phone.
Blocking your number doesn’t mean blocking communication. It simply hides your caller ID from showing on someone else’s screen. Let’s walk through exactly how to do it.
Method 1: Dial *67 for One-Time Number Blocking
If you only need to hide your number for a single call, this is the fastest and easiest option. This simple trick works on both mobile phones and landlines. If you just need privacy for one call, *67 gets the job done quickly.
Steps to Hide Your Number with *67
- Open your phone’s dialer/keypad
- Type *67 before the area code and number you want to call
- Make your call as usual
When you use *67, your number will appear as “Private,” “Anonymous” or “Blocked” on the recipient’s screen.
Example: Using Star 67 to Keep Your Number Private
*67 (555) 123-4567
Important Note: When *67 Won’t Work
*67 won’t work for toll-free (800), emergency (911) or some business lines that require caller ID for verification.
Method 2: Hide Your Number in Phone Settings
Want to take it a step beyond star 67 and make every call private automatically? You can adjust your phone’s settings so your number is always hidden. Here’s how.
Hide Your Number on iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap Apps
- Tap Phone
- Tap Show My Caller ID
- Toggle off
That’s it. Every call you make will now show as “Private” unless you manually turn this setting back on. But it’s also important to note, if you don’t see “Show My Caller ID,” your carrier may not allow you to turn off your caller ID info through your phone settings. If that’s the case, *67 may be your go-to method. Or, you can move on to method three below.
Hide Your Number on Android
Because Android menus vary by device and carrier, steps can look a little different. Try this general path:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the three dots or Menu icon
- Choose Settings or Call settings
- Select Supplementary Services or Additional Settings
- Tap Caller ID and select Hide number or Never
On some Android phones, you may see “Network default” instead. Changing this to “Hide number” will do the same thing. And remember, the exact path to your caller ID settings may vary depending on your Android version and your mobile carrier.
Method 3: Ask Your Carrier for Permanent Blocking
If you never want your number displayed, your carrier can apply default caller ID blocking to your line. This hides your number for every outgoing call automatically.
To have your carrier enable permanent blocking:
- Log in to your carrier account online or get in touch with customer service (for us, get in touch here)
- Ask for permanent caller ID blocking on your number
Even if you enable permanent number blocking, you can still override it anytime by dialing *82 before the number to temporarily show your caller ID. It’s essentially the opposite of *67.
Blocking your number through your carrier is a good choice if you often call clients, businesses or contacts where you’d rather stay anonymous by default. Just remember, there are still cases where your number won’t be blocked. Which is the perfect segue to what’s next.
When You Can’t Block Your Number
There are a few cases where hiding your number won’t work:
- Toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877)
- Emergency services (911)
- Certain businesses or government agencies that require caller ID
In these cases, your phone number is sent and displayed automatically for safety and verification reasons.
Troubleshooting Tips When Trying to Block Your Number
If you’ve followed the steps to block your number but your number still shows up when you make a call, here are a few things to check:
- Carrier restrictions: Some carriers disable caller ID blocking on specific plans.
- VoIP or app calling: Services like Skype or WhatsApp may ignore your phone settings.
- Old contacts: If your number is saved in someone’s phone, it might still display your name/number even when caller ID is hidden.
In rare cases, “Private” may not display correctly due to how certain landlines or networks process calls. If that happens, try another method or check with your carrier.
Bonus Number Blocking Tip: Use Secure Calling Apps
If you need a second number or want total privacy, third-party apps like Google Voice, Signal and others can help. These apps route calls through the internet instead of your carrier network, giving you added control over what information is shared.
Just remember, no app can fully hide your identity if the recipient already has your number saved.
Privacy and Safety Reminder for Making Calls Anonymously
Blocking your number helps protect your privacy, but it’s meant for responsible use. Repeated anonymous calls can be flagged as spam or harassment by carriers and recipients. Always use caller ID blocking for legitimate reasons.
Speaking of, if you’re trying to reduce unwanted calls, check out our guides on how to reduce unwanted calls and block spam calls and texts.
Quick Reference Table for How to Block Your Number
| Number Blocking Method | Description | Works On | Permanent or Temporary | Notes |
| *67 | Hide number for one call | iPhone, Android, Landline | Temporary | Only works for single use |
| Settings | Hide caller ID by setting default | iPhone, Android | Permanent | Can toggle anytime in Settings |
| Carrier Blocking | Hides number for all calls | All phones | Permanent | Use *82 to unblock for a call |
FAQs: How to Block Your Number When Calling
How do I block my number for one call?
Dial *67 before the number you want to call.
How can I hide my number for all outgoing calls?
Turn off “Show My Caller ID” in your phone settings or ask your carrier to enable default blocking.
Can I block my number from toll-free or 911 calls?
No, those numbers always receive your caller ID for safety reasons.
What does it show when I block my number?
Usually, the other person’s screen will display “Private,” “Anonymous” or “Blocked.”
Can I temporarily unblock my number?
Yes, dial *82 before the number to show your caller ID on a per-call basis.
Stay Connected: Your Calls, Your Way
Keeping your number private is just one more way to take control of your wireless experience. And with Consumer Cellular, we’re all about helping you take control with the flexibility you’re after, plus affordable plans, reliable nationwide coverage and 100% U.S. based customer support.
Explore our cellphone plans and devices today, or stop by one of our retail stores for in-person help and a fresh cup of coffee.
Online or in person, we make wireless simple, affordable and stress-free. No long-term contracts, no surprises and the freedom to make your calls, your way.
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