How to find the number behind “no caller ID”
An incoming call labeled “no caller ID” on your phone means that the person trying to reach you is deliberately concealing their identity from you. Because the call is purposely anonymous, it’s hard to find out the number behind it, call it back, or prevent it from contacting you again.
Discovering the person behind a “no caller ID” is a challenge and may not always be possible.
But there are a few things you can try.
Let’s look at each of these solutions in detail.
Updated on: February 27, 2025
How to find the number behind “no caller ID”, in short:
On landline: use the call return feature or malicious call identification
There are essentially two things you can do if a “no caller ID” displays on your handset.
1) Dial *69 or equivalent for call return
If you’re in the US, the *69 feature lets you call back the last person who called you; in the UK, it’s 1471.
Once dialed, a voice recording will give you the number and exact time of the last received call. You can jot the number down in order to report it, or call them back. The feature works even if the caller’s number is hidden.
2) Malicious call identification or *57
Call tracing services can notify your service provider of an unknown caller’s identity if the caller is threatening or harassing you. Dial *57 to trigger a caller ID trace request. Your phone service provider will try to trace the number. You’ll hear a confirmation sound or beep if the caller ID can be traced. Alternatively, if the caller ID trace fails, you’ll hear an error beep.
There are three important things to be aware of here:
- If your service provider can trace the call, you will most likely be charged for it.
- The phone number you asked to identify will be known to the provider but not disclosed to you.
- Lastly, the number will not be automatically reported to the government agency responsible for managing these calls. You will need to report the incident to the police first, and your phone service provider will disclose the caller ID to them.
Both the *69 and the *57 features are built into landline phones only.
On iPhone or Android: Use third party apps to identify “no caller ID”
There’s essentially one way to find out what the “no caller ID” number is, and that’s with the help of a third-party app, if you’re lucky. However, like with most apps, your data becomes the currency.
Third-party apps such as TrueCaller or Trapcall might help reveal a “no caller ID” number. A caller ID app gathers information from databases, online platforms, social media, and other sources.
Like with all apps, you have to be very careful about the permissions you grant. Apps usually collect many data points, so it’s best to use these services as sparingly as possible. For caller ID apps to function, they need to have access and share personal information with other users, so be aware that your data will not stay private.
TrueCaller
TrueCaller claims to identify “each incoming call anywhere in the world.” It’s probably the most popular call identification app, and you can download it from the Apple store for free. However, be aware that it’s owned by a data broker that will share and sell your personal information.
The app will require access to your contacts. You will also need to select it as your call identification service in your iPhone settings (the app will guide you on how to do this). Once you confirm your phone number and fill out a form (asking for name, surname and email address), you will have the chance to review the privacy policy and confirm it.
The privacy policy clearly states that others will be allowed to see your personal information when looking up your number. This is followed by a request for you to consent to cookies. The list of vendors that can potentially track you through the app is astounding. Make sure each one of them is toggled off as you scroll (and scroll) though the list.
TrapCall
Trapcall helps you discover the person hiding behind “no caller ID” if the incoming call is from the US or Puerto Rico (the app is not available if you are outside this region). TrapCall will send you details about the caller once you’ve declined a “no caller ID” call.
In its privacy policy, Trapcall assures its users that it doesn’t sell personal information. However, quite a lot is shared. Your data will be shared with “professional advisors providing advice or otherwise protecting and managing our business interests, or Telecom providers.” Your unique identifier will be shared with social media platforms (Facebook, Snapchat, and Pinterest). Other tracking data will be shared for profiled advertising (unless you reject third-party cookies).
What does “no caller ID” mean and how is it different from “unknown caller”?
Check our article about the difference between “unknown caller” and “no caller ID” to learn more.
Related content
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- How to Block & Stop Spam Calls (& Robocalls) on Android
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Not exactly what you’re looking for? We’ve organized all our articles about stopping spam here.
FAQ
What does *57 do on a phone?
*57, or malicious call identification in the US, is used to trace callers on landline phones. Dial *57 immediately after receiving a harassing call. The phone number will be automatically logged by your phone service provider, but not disclosed to you. *57 doesn’t work on cell phones.
How do I find out who called me?
You can find out who called you by using the call return service. The service is available on landlines only. To use it, dial *69 and press the call button. A voice message will connect you with the last call to your phone number.
Why is *69 not working?
Many online articles recommend using *69 to identify an anonymous caller on a cell phone. However, *69 is a call return service available on landline phones only. *69 will not work on cell phones.
Does *69 still work?
*69 is a call return service available on landline phones only. *69 doesn’t work on cell phones.
Do cops call from “no caller ID?”
Yes, calls from the police usually display as “no caller ID” or a “private number.” This prevents their phone number from being known and shared and from people calling them back.
