How to Hide Your Phone Number When Making Calls

Fact-checked by the SnapMessages editorial team

You can hide phone number calls using a simple prefix code, a carrier setting, or a third-party app — no special hardware required. According to the FCC’s official Caller ID guidance, consumers have the legal right to block their outgoing caller ID on most calls in the United States, with limited exceptions for calls to 911 and certain toll-free numbers.

Privacy during calls matters more than ever. Phone number exposure can fuel spam callbacks, identity profiling, and targeted harassment — making caller ID blocking a practical first line of defense.

How Do You Hide Your Number for a Single Call?

Dial *67 immediately before the recipient’s number to block your caller ID on that call only. The recipient sees “Private Number,” “Blocked,” or “No Caller ID” depending on their carrier and device.

This method works on all major US carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular — at no charge. It applies to both landlines and mobile phones. Outside the US, the equivalent code is #31# in most of Europe and Australia, prefixed before the number you are dialing.

Step-by-Step: Using *67 on a Smartphone

1. Open your phone’s dial pad.
2. Type *67 followed immediately by the full 10-digit number (e.g., *67-555-123-4567).
3. Press call. Your number will appear blocked to the recipient.

The block applies only to that single call. Your next outgoing call will display your number normally unless you repeat the prefix. This is the fastest method when you need to hide phone number calls occasionally without changing any account settings.

How Do You Permanently Block Your Number on All Calls?

To permanently hide your phone number on every outgoing call, you can dial #31# from your phone keypad (Android) or enable “Hide Number” in your phone’s call settings — no prefix needed after activation.

On iPhone, go to Settings → Phone → Show My Caller ID and toggle it off. On Android, navigate to Phone app → Settings → Calls → Additional Settings → Caller ID → Hide Number. These device-level settings send a persistent block request to your carrier, though the carrier must support the feature for it to work reliably.

Carrier-Level Permanent Blocking

Calling your carrier directly is the most reliable route. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all offer free permanent caller ID blocking upon request. Carrier-level blocking overrides device settings and applies even when you switch phones on the same account.

One important caveat: dialing *82 before a number temporarily unblocks your ID for a single call, which is useful when calling businesses that refuse blocked numbers. Keep this code handy if you enable permanent blocking.

What Are All the Ways to Hide Your Number When Calling?

There are four primary methods to hide phone number calls: per-call prefix codes, device settings, carrier-level blocking, and third-party apps with second phone numbers. Each has distinct trade-offs in convenience, cost, and reliability.

Third-party apps like Google Voice, Hushed, and Burner assign you a secondary number. Calls made through these apps display the secondary number — not your real one — giving you full separation between your real identity and the recipient. Google Voice is free; Hushed and Burner charge between $2 and $5 per month for a dedicated line.

For users who want to understand more about burner numbers and secondary lines, our guide on what a burner phone number is and whether you need one covers the full landscape of disposable number services.

Are There Legal Limits to Hiding Your Number?

Blocking your own caller ID is legal in the United States under federal law, but transmitting false caller ID information — known as spoofing — is illegal under the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009. Fines for illegal spoofing can reach $10,000 per violation.

Caller ID blocking does not work for calls to 911, toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, etc.), or numbers that have activated Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR). Recipients using ACR services will hear a message telling you to unblock your number before the call connects. Many businesses and healthcare providers also require a visible number.

Does *67 Work on Cell Phones Calling 911?

No. Emergency services can always see your number regardless of any blocking method. The FCC mandates that all US carriers pass location and number data to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) during emergency calls. This rule exists to protect callers and dispatchers alike.

If privacy is a deeper concern — particularly around whether your communications are being monitored — our article on how to tell if your messages are being monitored is a useful companion read.

How Do You Protect Your Privacy Beyond Caller ID Blocking?

Hiding your caller ID is one layer of privacy, but your phone number can still be exposed through text messages, app registrations, and data broker databases. A complete privacy strategy requires protecting your number across all communication channels.

Using a second number app like Google Voice for all new contacts means your real number never enters their address book or gets sold by data brokers. According to Pew Research Center, 79% of Americans are concerned about how companies use their personal data — phone numbers are among the most traded data points.

For messaging privacy, consider apps that do not require your real phone number at all. Our comparison of best apps for private conversations without phone numbers covers Signal, Session, and Briar as strong options. If you are concerned about broader digital exposure, our guide on how to secure your personal data after a data breach provides a full checklist.

SIM swap attacks are a separate but related threat. Attackers who gain access to your phone number can intercept calls and two-factor authentication codes. Our explainer on what a SIM swap attack is details how to lock down your account against this specific exploit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 work on cell phones in 2025?

Yes. As of July 2025, *67 works on all major US carriers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular for both cellular and Wi-Fi calls. Dial *67 immediately before the 10-digit number — no spaces. The recipient will see “No Caller ID” or “Private Number.”

Can someone still find out my number if I use *67?

The recipient cannot see your number through standard caller ID. However, law enforcement can obtain blocked numbers via a court order, and 911 always receives your number automatically. Some third-party call-tracing services marketed to consumers are not legally able to unmask blocked numbers without a carrier subpoena.

Why is my blocked call still showing my number?

This typically happens when calling toll-free numbers (800, 888, etc.) or numbers with Anonymous Call Rejection enabled — both bypass standard blocking. It can also occur if your carrier has a software glitch or if you are using Wi-Fi calling with inconsistent settings. Try enabling carrier-level blocking as a more reliable fix.

How do I hide my number when calling from an iPhone?

Go to Settings → Phone → Show My Caller ID and toggle it off to permanently hide your number on all calls. For a single call only, dial *67 before the number without changing any settings. Both methods work on iOS 16, 17, and 18.

Is it legal to hide your phone number when calling someone?

Yes, it is fully legal in the United States under FCC rules. The FCC distinguishes between legal caller ID blocking — which hides your real number — and illegal spoofing, which transmits a false number with intent to defraud. Blocking your own number is a protected consumer right.

What is the best app to make calls without showing my number?

Google Voice is the best free option — it gives you a separate US number and routes calls through it at no cost. Hushed and Burner are strong paid alternatives at roughly $3–$5 per month, offering more disposable number features. All three apps are available on iOS and Android.