How to Hide My Number When Calling (2026 Guide)

If you want to call someone without showing your number, you can usually do it with a quick prefix code, a setting on your phone, or a separate “second number” app.

This is general guidance only. Exact options can vary by country and carrier, so always check what’s legal and allowed in your region.

Quick Scoop

• You can hide your number per-call using a short code (like *67 or #31#) before the number.
• You can often turn off “Show Caller ID” in your phone’s settings to hide your number for all calls.
• You can use a burner/secondary-number app if you don’t want to expose your real number at all.
• Some numbers (like emergency services or certain businesses) may still see your real number.
• Laws and carrier rules differ by country, so use these methods ethically and legally.

1\. Fastest Method: Use a Prefix Code

This is the quickest way if you only want to hide your number for one call.

How it usually works

1. Open your Phone/Dialer app.
2. Type a blocking code.
3. Immediately after the code, type the full number you want to call.
4. Place the call as normal; your number should show as “Private”, “Unknown”, or “Blocked” on their screen.

Common codes (examples)

• Many countries:
  • *67 + phone number (common in the US/Canada for mobile & landlines).
  • #31# + phone number (common on GSM networks and some Android/iPhone setups).
• On some phones, you can also turn Show my caller ID off just for specific calls via in-call options, but that’s less common.

Because codes vary:

• Check your carrier’s website or support page.
• Search: your_country your_carrier hide number code.

Example: Dial *67 5551234567 to call 555‑123‑4567 as a hidden/private number.

2\. Hide Your Number in Phone Settings (All Calls)

If you want every outgoing call to be hidden, you can often change a setting.

On most Android phones

Menu names differ slightly by brand, but the flow is similar:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three dots / menu in the top-right.
3. Tap Settings (sometimes Call settings or Calling accounts).
4. Look for Caller ID , Show caller ID , or Supplementary services.
5. Select Hide number or Never show caller ID.

After this:

• All outgoing calls from that SIM typically appear as private/unknown.
• Go back to the same setting and select Show number if you want to undo it.

On most iPhones (general pattern)

Exact menus may differ slightly with iOS versions, but it’s usually:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Phone.
3. Tap Show My Caller ID.
4. Turn Show My Caller ID off.

Now, your number should be hidden for most outgoing calls until you turn it back on.

3. Ask Your Carrier to Block Your Number

If the settings above don’t work or the options are missing, your carrier might control caller ID at the network level. What you can usually ask for:

• Permanent caller ID blocking:
  • Your number is hidden by default on all calls.
  • You can sometimes override this per-call with a code (like *82 in some regions) to show your number when you need to.
• Per-line block on landlines:
  • For home phones, carriers often allow you to set the line so that all outgoing calls are anonymous unless you unblock them per call.

Steps:

1. Go to your carrier’s website or app.
2. Look for “Caller ID”, “Block my number”, or “Privacy” options.
3. If you can’t find it, contact customer support via chat or phone and ask:
   • “Can you enable caller ID blocking on my line?”

Note: Some carriers charge for this, others don’t.

4. Use a Second Number or Burner App

If your goal is more than just hiding caller ID—like keeping your real number completely separate—then a secondary-number service may be better. What these apps give you:

• A separate phone number that forwards calls/SMS to your phone.
• The person you call sees that secondary number, not your real one.
• Often used for:
  • Online selling
  • Dating apps
  • Short-term projects or business
  • Situations where you don’t fully trust the other party yet

Typical options (just as categories):

• “Burner” or “temporary number” apps.
• VoIP numbers (e.g., “internet phone” style apps).
• Some messaging apps that offer in-app voice calls using usernames or IDs instead of numbers.

Things to watch:

• Some free numbers may recycle quickly if unused.
• Terms of service often forbid harassment, spam, or illegal use.
• Call quality may depend on Wi‑Fi or data.

5\. Limits, Risks, and Ethics

Hiding your number isn’t a magic invisibility cloak. Important caveats:

• Emergency services:
  • In many countries, emergency numbers (like 911/112/999 etc.) can still see your real number, even if you hide it.
• Businesses and call centers:
  • Some may use systems that ignore caller ID blocking and still log your real number for security or fraud prevention.
• Spam filters:
  • Many people and spam-blocking apps auto‑reject “No Caller ID” or “Unknown” calls. You may get more straight‑to‑voicemail outcomes.
• Legal responsibility:
  • Hiding your number does not protect you if you harass, threaten, or scam someone. Carriers and authorities can usually trace calls.

Ethical use ideas:

• Reasonable:
  • Calling about a classified ad where you don’t want your number shared.
  • Returning a missed call from an unknown number cautiously.
  • Protecting your privacy with strangers or companies you don’t fully trust.
• Not okay:
  • Harassment, stalking, threats, scams, or trying to evade law enforcement.

6\. Forum-Style Mini Q&A

Q: Does *67 work for texts? A: No. Caller ID blocking codes typically work only for voice calls, not SMS. For private texting, use a separate number/app.

Q: Someone called me with “No Caller ID”. Can I find out who it was? A: Not easily or legally as an individual in most places. Carriers and law enforcement may trace calls in serious cases.

Q: Why does my phone still show my number even with hide turned on? A: Your carrier may override device settings, or the number you’re calling may be on a system that requires caller info.

7\. “Latest News” & 2026 Context

• Privacy tools have become more mainstream; many people expect to see anonymous numbers and often ignore them.
• Spam call filters are more aggressive in 2026, and “Unknown” calls are commonly flagged or sent straight to voicemail.
• Because of increasing fraud, some banks and government lines may refuse hidden calls altogether and ask you to call back showing your number or use verified in‑app calling.

8\. Quick Checklist Before You Hide Your Number

Use this as a simple guide:

1. Is this legal and ethical where I live?
2. Is it a one‑off call?
   • Yes → Try a prefix code (like *67 / #31#).
3. Do I want all calls hidden?
   • Yes → Turn off “Show Caller ID” in phone settings or ask your carrier for line‑level blocking.
4. Do I want a fully separate identity/number?
   • Yes → Get a secondary/burner number app.
5. Is the person likely to ignore unknown calls?
   • Consider sending a message first or briefly explaining in voicemail why your number is hidden.

TL;DR

To hide your number when calling, use a short code like *67 or #31# before the number for a one‑off private call, or turn off “Show Caller ID” in your phone’s call settings to make all outgoing calls appear as private. For deeper privacy and separation, use a secondary or burner number app instead of your real number, and always stay within local laws and carrier rules.