How to hide your number when calling

We know how important it is to keep your phone number private. You might be suffering from endless robocalls or you may have had issues in the past with relative strangers misusing your phone number. Whatever your reasons, the ability to make anonymous phone calls is essential to your privacy. 

Fortunately, there are several ways you can make anonymous phone calls from your landline, iPhone, or Android phone. We cover them all below.

Mariam Volobueva

Updated: February 18, 2025

Continue reading to get the complete details and some extra tips to keep your personal phone number private.

Hide your phone number using *67

Best for: per-call basis, meaning you need to dial *67 each time

One of the oldest and most reliable methods to block your caller ID is using the *67 Feature Access Code (FAC). This prefix works universally across both landline and cellular networks in North America.

1. Dial *67
2. Enter the full 10-digit phone number including area code
3. Press call/dial

For example: *67-555-123-4567

This feature will not work for:

• Emergency numbers (911) will still receive your real phone number regardless of *67
• Some toll-free numbers (800, 888, etc.) may not accept blocked calls
• Recipients using anonymous call rejection (*77) will be unable to receive your blocked calls

For a more permanent solution, contact your phone carrier to request a line-block service that automatically hides your number on all outgoing calls (see method 3).

Hide your caller ID for all outgoing calls

If you don’t feel like dialing *67 every time you want to make a call, you can save yourself the extra step and automatically block your number on caller ID when using a cell phone. While this option may not be available on all mobile devices, we gave it a test run and found it works on iPhone and Android phones. 

On an iPhone:

Phone users can easily call privately by turning off caller ID through their iPhone settings:

1. Go to “settings.”
2. Scroll down and tap “phone.”
3. Tap “show my caller ID.”

NOTE: If you use Verizon, this option won’t be available. However, you can still hide your caller ID through Verizon, which we’ll also cover below. 

On an Android device:

1. Open your phone app. 
2. Tap “settings” and then “call settings.”
3. Go to “additional settings” and then “caller ID.”
4. Select “hide number.”

NOTE: The exact steps may vary from device to device.

Block your number through your carrier

You can also get a private number through your wireless carrier. The service works by automatically adding *67 to all your outgoing calls without you having to dial it manually.

Your number will appear as “Private,” “Unknown,” or “Blocked” depending on the recipient’s phone carrier and display settings.

Call 611 (from the same mobile phone you wish to call privately from) to speak with your carrier’s technical support or customer support department to set it up. 

• AT&T: 1-800-331-0500.
• Verizon: 1-800-922-0204
• T-Mobile: 1-800-937-8997.

When you request line-block service, the change typically takes effect within 24-72 hours.

This feature will not work for:

• Emergency numbers (911) will still receive your real phone number regardless of *67
• Some toll-free numbers (800, 888, etc.) may not accept blocked calls
• Recipients using anonymous call rejection (*77) will be unable to receive your blocked calls

NOTE: If your calls get rejected due to your number being blocked, you can still dial *82 to unblock your number for that specific call. 

Use a burner app

Burner apps provide a temporary second phone number using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, offering an extra layer of privacy for your communications. These apps work through your internet connection rather than traditional cellular networks, allowing you to make calls and send texts while keeping your real number private.

Here are some options:

• The Burner app offers temporary numbers that can be “burned” or disposed of when no longer needed. It provides local U.S. and Canadian phone numbers with customizable voicemail and auto-reply features. While the app has a free trial, ongoing use requires a subscription starting at $4.99 monthly for one line.
• Google Voice assigns you a free permanent phone number that can forward calls to your main line. It integrates seamlessly with other Google services and offers features like spam filtering, voicemail transcription, and call screening. However, since it’s tied to your Google account, it may not provide the same level of anonymity as other options.
• Hushed focuses on privacy with end-to-end encryption for messaging and the ability to create multiple disposable numbers. The app offers numbers from over 40 countries and doesn’t require personal information verification. Plans start at $3.99 monthly, with options for both short-term and long-term number rentals.

It’s crucial to understand that while these apps provide number privacy, they still collect user data. Burner apps typically gather information about your device, location, usage patterns, and sometimes contact lists. They may share this data with third parties for advertising or analytics purposes. Before choosing an app, carefully review its privacy policy and data collection practices, particularly if maintaining anonymity is your primary concern.

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