How to Block Your Number When Calling (Complete Guide)

By AirTalk Team
3-minute read
In This Article

Whether you are making a business call, contacting someone you do not know, or simply prefer to remain anonymous, exploring how to block your number when calling can help keep your phone number private.

1. How to Block Your Number When Calling

If you want privacy when making calls, blocking your number is relatively simple. Most modern smartphones allow users to hide their caller ID through system settings or dialing codes. These options ensure your number appears as “Private,” “Blocked,” or “No Caller ID” on the recipient’s phone.

How to Block My Number When Calling Someone on iPhone

One of the easiest ways is by using the built-in caller ID setting. Apple devices allow users to hide their phone numbers directly in the phone’s settings.

To do this, open the Settings app and select “Phone.”

Inside the phone menu, find the “Show My Caller ID” option and toggle it off. Once this option is disabled, every outgoing call will automatically hide your number.

After enabling this feature, anyone you call will see “No Caller ID” or “Private Number” instead of your phone number. This is one of the simplest ways to permanently control your caller ID and manage privacy when making calls.

>>> Read more: How to Call from a Blocked Number: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Block Your Number When Calling on Android

Android phones also offer built-in settings that let you block your number when calling. The process may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but the overall steps are similar.

Once enabled, your phone number will remain hidden unless you manually change the setting. Some carriers may disable this feature, so you might need to contact your service provider if the option does not appear.

how to block my number when calling
Hide your caller ID to keep your number private. (Image by Unsplash)

How to Block Your Number When Making a Call Using *67

To use this feature, dial *67, then the phone number you want to call. For example, you would dial:

*67 + phone number

This temporarily hides your caller ID for that specific call. The person receiving the call will see a message like “Private,” “Restricted,” or “Blocked.” Unlike changing your phone settings, this method only works for one call at a time. If you forget to dial *67, your phone number will appear normally.

Many people prefer this method when they only need to know how to block their number when calling occasionally.

2. How Do You Block Your Number When Calling Someone Permanently?

Sometimes users want to learn how to block your number when calling every time without using *67 for each call. In that case, you can use permanent caller ID blocking in your phone settings or through your carrier.

Using Phone Settings to Hide Your Caller ID

The simplest long-term solution for blocking your number when calling is to enable the “Hide Caller ID” option in your device settings. Both Android and iPhone allow this feature, though the location of the setting may vary.

Once activated, every outgoing call will automatically hide your phone number.

Contacting Your Carrier to Block Your Number When Calling

Another option for hiding your number when calling is to contact your mobile carrier directly. Many carriers offer caller ID blocking services that can be applied to your entire account.

When this feature is enabled, your phone number stays hidden on outgoing calls, regardless of which device you use. If you need to show your number again for one call, you can usually dial *82 before the number to temporarily disable the block.

Carrier-level blocking is useful for people who want to hide their number across multiple devices.

3. How to Block Your Number When Calling Someone on Different Devices

Understanding how to block your number when calling also depends on the device you are using. 

How to Block Your Number When Calling from a Landline

Landlines still support several caller ID blocking methods. The most common way to block your number when calling from a landline is to dial *67 before the phone number.

Once the code is entered, the recipient will not see your phone number. Instead, their phone may display “Private,” “Unknown,” or “Blocked.”However, this method may not work when calling emergency services or toll-free numbers.

How to Block Your Number When Calling Using VoIP or Apps

Many people now make calls through internet-based services like VoIP apps. When learning how to block your number when calling using these services, the process depends on the app.

Some apps allow users to hide their caller ID directly in the settings. Others generate temporary phone numbers for outgoing calls.

If privacy is important, these services can provide an extra layer of anonymity compared to traditional phone calls.

4. What Happens When You Call a Blocked Number?

Before using these methods, it is helpful to understand what actually happens when you hide your number.

What the Recipient Sees When Your Number Is Hidden

When you block your number when calling, the recipient does not see your actual phone number.

Instead, their phone displays a label such as “Private Number,” “No Caller ID,” or “Blocked Caller.”

Some smartphones automatically reject calls from hidden numbers, meaning your call may not go through.

Can Someone Call You Back If You Block Your Number?

If you successfully block your number when calling, the recipient cannot see your number and therefore cannot call you back directly.

However, if they recognize your voice or already have your number saved elsewhere, they may still know who called. It is also possible for certain services or law enforcement agencies to identify hidden numbers in specific circumstances.

how do you block your number when calling someone
Phone number won’t be seen when you’re blocked (Image by Unsplash)

Conclusion

Learning how to block your number when calling is useful for protecting your privacy and controlling who sees your phone number.

If you only need temporary privacy, dialing *67 is a quick solution. However, if you frequently make private calls, enabling caller ID blocking in your phone settings or through your carrier is a more convenient option.

Session feedback

Your email address will not be published.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cancel

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Find out what we can do for your business or home.