Learn How To Block Your Number When Calling

Understanding Number Blocking on Your Phone

Blocking your phone number when making a call is a feature that hides your caller identification from the person receiving your call. Instead of displaying your phone number on their screen, they will see "Unknown," "Private," "Blocked," or "Caller ID Blocked" depending on their phone type and service provider. This feature exists on virtually all modern smartphones and landline phones, whether you use Apple iOS, Android, or traditional telephone systems.

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The technology behind number blocking works through your phone company's switching systems. When you initiate a call with blocking enabled, your carrier routes the call through their system in a way that prevents your number from being transmitted to the receiving party's caller ID system. This process happens instantly and automatically once you enable the feature.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, call-blocking technologies and caller ID blocking are legal tools available to consumers. However, the ability to block your number may vary depending on your phone service provider, your phone type, and the country where you're calling. Some services restrict the use of number blocking for certain types of calls, such as emergency services, which always receive your real number regardless of blocking settings.

The reasons people use number blocking vary widely. Some individuals block their numbers when calling businesses to protect their privacy. Others use it when making inquiries they prefer to keep confidential. Parents sometimes use this feature when calling their children's schools or making appointments. Businesses may use number blocking when conducting research calls or surveys.

Practical takeaway: Number blocking is a standard feature on most phones that hides your caller ID from the recipient. Understanding how and when to use it requires knowing your specific phone type and service provider's rules, which we'll explore in detail throughout this guide.

How to Block Your Number on Android Phones

Android phones offer multiple ways to block your number when making calls. The method depends on which Android device you own and your phone service provider, as different manufacturers may have slightly different systems. Most Android phones include a built-in feature that allows you to block your number either on a per-call basis or for all outgoing calls.

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To block your number on a single call using most Android devices, open your phone's dialer app—this is the standard phone application where you enter numbers to make calls. Enter the phone number you want to call. Before pressing the call button, look for additional options, usually represented by three dots (⋯) or a menu icon. Tap this icon to reveal more options. Look for settings labeled "Show my number," "Caller ID," or "Hide number." Select the option to hide or block your number. When you see a confirmation that your number is blocked or hidden, press the call button as usual.

To block your number for all outgoing calls on an Android device, go to your phone's Settings app. Navigate to "Call settings" or "Phone settings"—the exact location varies by manufacturer and Android version. Look for options related to "Caller ID," "Show my number," or "Additional settings." Find the option that says something like "Hide my number," "Block caller ID," or "Show as unknown." Toggle this setting to the "off" position or select "Hide number." Your number will now be blocked on all subsequent calls until you reverse this setting.

Some Android phone users may see a prefix option instead of a toggle. If your phone shows an option to add a prefix like "*67" before numbers, this is an alternative method—though not all carriers support this. Some service providers use different codes, so check with your carrier about what works on your account.

Different manufacturers handle this differently. Samsung phones access these settings through the Phone app settings menu. Google Pixel phones may have slightly different naming conventions. OnePlus, Motorola, and other brands may place these options in different locations within their settings interfaces.

Practical takeaway: Android phones generally offer per-call and permanent number blocking through the dialer app or phone settings. The exact location of these options varies by phone manufacturer, so you may need to explore your specific phone's menu structure or contact your service provider for precise instructions.

How to Block Your Number on iPhones and Apple Devices

iPhones running iOS provide straightforward options for blocking your caller ID on individual calls or across all calls. Apple's implementation is generally more standardized across devices since all iPhones run the same operating system, though carrier settings may still affect functionality.

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To block your number on a single call with an iPhone, open the Phone app and navigate to the Contacts tab or Keypad tab. Enter the phone number you wish to call. Before pressing the green call button, tap the information icon (usually a small circle with an "i" or similar symbol) next to the number or look for an option labeled "Show My Caller ID." This will reveal a toggle or switch for your caller ID settings. Turn off the "Show My Caller ID" option. You'll see it change to indicate your number is blocked. Now press the call button to make your call with your number hidden.

To block your number for all outgoing calls on an iPhone, access the Settings app and scroll down to "Phone." Tap on Phone settings and look for the option "Show My Caller ID." Toggle this setting off. Once disabled, your number will be blocked on every call you make. This setting remains in effect until you manually enable "Show My Caller ID" again.

Apple's implementation is consistent across all iPhone models, including iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, and earlier versions, as well as iPads and other Apple devices that can make cellular calls. However, if you use an iPhone with Wi-Fi calling through your carrier or apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime, those services may have separate caller ID settings that you'll need to configure independently.

Some users experience issues where the caller ID blocking option doesn't appear or function properly. This typically indicates a problem with the carrier settings on your phone. To fix this, try going to Settings > General > About, which sometimes prompts an automatic carrier settings update. You can also contact your service provider to verify that your account supports caller ID blocking.

Practical takeaway: iPhones make caller ID blocking straightforward through the Settings app (for all calls) or the Phone app (for individual calls). The "Show My Caller ID" toggle is the primary control, though you may occasionally need to update your carrier settings for the feature to work properly.

Using the *67 Code and Carrier-Specific Methods

Before smartphones became standard, people used the *67 code to block their numbers on traditional landline phones and early mobile phones. This code still works on many carriers today, though not all. The *67 method is particularly useful if you prefer a quick way to block your number without navigating through phone settings.

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To use the *67 method, pick up your phone and dial *67, then immediately dial the phone number you want to reach. For example, if you want to call 555-123-4567 with your number blocked, you would dial *67555-123-4567. Press the call button as normal. Your number should appear as blocked or unknown to the recipient. This method works on many traditional carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, though some carriers may charge a small per-call fee or require subscription to a caller ID blocking service.

The effectiveness of *67 varies by carrier and location. Some carriers have discontinued support for this code or require it to be enabled in your account settings first. International calls may not work with *67, as different countries use different codes. For instance, some countries use *31# instead. Always test the code with a call to a trusted contact first to verify it's working on your account.

Different carriers offer their own methods and services for blocking caller ID. Some carriers provide dedicated apps or subscriber portals where you can manage caller ID settings. Others offer premium services called "Anonymous Call Rejection" or similar names that work alongside number blocking. Contact your specific carrier to understand what options are available on your account and whether there are any associated costs.

If *67 doesn't work on your account, your carrier may have disabled it or you may need to subscribe to a service that enables it. Some carriers charge 75 cents to $1.50 per call for caller ID blocking if you don't have a subscription service. Others include it free with certain plan types. Always verify with your carrier's customer service about costs and availability before relying on this method.

Practical takeaway: The *67 code offers a quick method to block your number on many carriers by dialing it before the phone number. However, support varies by carrier and location, so testing it first and contacting your