This minHour teaches you how to prevent someone whom you're calling from seeing your phone number. You can do this on virtually any phone using a code prefix before dialing the other person's number. If you just want to call using a different number than your own, consider using Google Voice instead of blocking your number.
Using an iPhone
Open the Settings app
The settings app has an icon that resembles two silver gears. Tap the icon on your home screen to open the Settings menu.
Tap Phone
It’s next to a green icon that resembles an old phone. It’s in the Settings menu on your iPhone.
Tap Show My Caller ID.
It’s in the Phone Settings menu on iPhone.
Tap the toggle switch next to “Show My Caller ID”.
It’s the only option in the menu. If the toggle switch next to “Show My Caller ID” is to the left and grey, your Caller ID will not appear when you make phone calls from your iPhone.
Using an Android Phone
Open the Phone app.
The Phone app typically has an icon that resembles an old phone. Tap the app you use to place calls on your Android phone.
Tap ⋮, ☰, or More.
It’s the icon in the upper-right corner. This opens the Menu. Depending on the model of your Android smartphone, this may be an icon with three dots, three lines, or a button that says “More”.
Tap Settings.
It’s at the bottom of the menu. This opens the phone menu.
Scroll down and tap More Settings, Additional Settings, or Supplementary Services.
It’s near the bottom of the Settings menu. Depending on the model of your Android phone, this may read “More Settings” or “Additional Settings”. On Samsung Galaxy phones, it’s under “Supplementary Service.”
Tap Show Caller ID.
It’s at the top of the More Settings menu. Depending on your Android phone model, this may read as “Show Caller ID” or “Show My Caller ID.”
Tap Hide Number.
It’s the second option in the “Show Caller ID” menu. This hides your number when you place calls from your Android phone.
Using a Temporary Code
Determine your phone’s block code.
You can use one of the following block codes to hide your phone number behind a “Private” or “Unknown” heading:
- *67 – Most North American mobile phones; Canada landlines.
- #31# – AT&T North American phones; Canada mobile phones; Most European & South American phones.
- 1167 – Most North American rotary phones.
- 141 – UK phones.
Open your phone’s Phone app.
Tap the app that you use to make phone calls from your phone.
Dial the block code.
Enter the code that correlates with your phone, symbols included.
- Depending on your phone, you may have to tap the Dial or Keypad tab before you can dial.
Enter the phone number.
Type in the number of the person whom you want to call. Make sure that you include the country code/long-distance code if necessary.
- The final result should look something like this: *67 (123) 456-7890
Press the “Call” button.
Doing so will call the number as usual. Unless the other person has installed an app that unmasks incoming private calls, they will not be able to see your phone number.
Asking Your Carrier To Make Your Number Private
Open the phone app
The phone app on both Android an iPhones usually has an icon with an old phone. Tap the icon on your home screen to open the Phone app.
Dial 611 and press the call button.
This is the number used to contact customer service for most major mobile service providers.
Follow the menu options to talk to a customer service representative.
The menu options for customer service is going to be different from one mobile service provider to another. Follow the instructions to talk to a customer service representative. You may be able to just say “Talk to a customer service representative.”
Ask the customer service representative to make your number private.
This is an option that most mobile service providers offer. A customer service representative should be able to make your number permanently private. All major carriers offer this option.
- Most carrier do not charge to make your phone number private, though a few may charge a fee to make your number private.
- If you want to temporarily allow your caller ID information to appear when placing calls, dial “*82” before dialing a number when placing a call.
Using Google Voice
Set up Google Voice
Google Voice is a free app that allows you to place calls using a different number from your standard mobile number. Before you use Google Voice, you need to download it from the App Store or Google Play Store. When you place your first call using the Google Voice app, you will be asked to search for and select a number to use. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a number to use with Google Voice.
- Google Voice numbers are not listed publicly. However, if you have posted your Google phone number online or give it out to other people, it may still be traceable back to you. Use the following steps to hide your Google Voice number when making calls.
Open the Google Voice app.
The Google Voice app has a dark-green icon that resembles a phone. Tap the icon on your home screen or apps menu to open Google Voice.
Tap ☰.
It’s the icon in the upper-left corner of Google Voice. This displays the Settings menu.
Tap Settings.
It’s next to an icon that resembles a gear. It’s near the bottom of the Google Voice menu.
Tap the toggle switch next to “Anonymous Caller ID”.
It’s below the “Calls” header in the Settings menu. If the toggle switch is to the right, Anonymous Caller ID is turned on. You can use Google Voice to call from a different number and keep it a secret.
Tips
- If you have Caller ID blocking enabled for your service and don’t want to enter the unblocking prefix each time you call someone you know, add the unblocking prefix to each of the numbers in your contact list. The prefix will be dialed automatically when you select the person to call.
- You can also text anonymously by using Google Voice.
Warnings
- If the person whom you’re calling has an app that unmasks your private phone number, they’ll be able to see your real phone number.