How to Hide Your Number When Calling — *67 Still Works (2026)
Yes, *67 still works in 2026. Dial *67 before any number to hide your caller ID. Also: iPhone/Android settings, carrier codes for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and free second number apps.
Want to hide your phone number when calling? The fastest method is dialing *67 before the number — the recipient sees "Blocked" or "Private" instead of your caller ID. But *67 isn't the only option, and it doesn't work in every situation.
This guide covers every method to make anonymous calls in 2026: the classic *67 code, permanent settings on iPhone and Android, carrier-specific options for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, VoIP and second-number apps, and important limitations you should know. We also cover when anonymous calling doesn't work and the legal rules around caller ID blocking.
Quick Overview: How to Hide Your Number
Method 1: Dial *67 Before the Number
The *67 code is the fastest way to hide your number for a single call. It's been part of the US phone system since the 1960s, developed by Bell System as a CLASS (Custom Local Area Signaling Services) code. It works on every major carrier and requires no setup.
How to Use *67
*67 + phone number → Call
Example: *67-555-123-4567 — recipient sees "Blocked" or "Private"
*67 Works For
- • All mobile phone calls
- • Landline calls
- • Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- • Regular phone numbers
*67 Does NOT Work For
- • Toll-free numbers (800/888/877)
- • 911 emergency calls
- • Text messages (SMS/MMS)
- • Some business unmasking systems
Carrier note: AT&T users may need to dial *67# (with the # symbol). Verizon and T-Mobile use standard *67. The code must be dialed before each call — it's not persistent.
Method 2: Hide Your Number on iPhone (Permanently)
Instead of dialing *67 every time, you can hide your caller ID for all outgoing calls through iPhone settings. This works on all iPhones running iOS 12 or later.
Step-by-Step on iPhone
- 1. Open Settings
- 2. Scroll down and tap Phone
- 3. Tap Show My Caller ID
- 4. Toggle the switch to OFF (green → gray)
Can't find it? If "Show My Caller ID" doesn't appear in your settings, your carrier may not support this feature. T-Mobile in particular does not offer permanent caller ID hiding. Use *67 per-call instead.
Method 3: Hide Your Number on Android (Permanently)
Android settings vary by manufacturer, but the general path is similar. Here's how to find the caller ID setting on Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android phones.
Step-by-Step on Android
- 1. Open the Phone app (dialer)
- 2. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner
- 3. Select Settings
- 4. Tap Calling accounts or Supplementary services
- 5. Tap Caller ID or Show caller ID
- 6. Select Hide number
| Phone Brand | Settings Path |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy | Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Supplementary services → Show caller ID → Hide number |
| Google Pixel | Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Calls → Additional settings → Caller ID → Hide number |
| Other Android | Search "Caller ID" in the main Settings app if the path differs |
Carrier-Specific Methods
| Carrier | Per-Call Code | Permanent Option |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | *67 | Yes — My Verizon app → Additional Services → Caller ID Blocking |
| AT&T | *67# | Yes — call customer support to enable account-level blocking |
| T-Mobile | *67 | No — per-call only (no permanent account-level option) |
| Google Voice | *67 | Yes — Settings → Calls → Caller ID settings |
If you have permanent blocking enabled and want to show your number for one call, dial *82 before the number to unblock that specific call.
Method 4: Second Number and VoIP Apps
A second phone number provides stronger privacy than *67 because the recipient sees a real number — just not your number. This is ideal for dating, online marketplace transactions, Craigslist, and situations where you want to be reachable without exposing your personal line.
| App | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | From $0.01/min | International calls without revealing your number |
| Google Voice | Free (US) | Free US calling with a separate number |
| Burner | From $4.99/mo | Temporary/disposable numbers |
| Hushed | From $3.99/mo | 300+ area codes, US/UK/Canada numbers |
When You Cannot Hide Your Number
There are situations where *67 and caller ID blocking will not work, regardless of your phone or carrier:
911 Emergency Calls
Emergency services always see your real number and approximate location. This is required by law for safety.
Toll-Free Numbers (800/888/877/866/855/844/833)
Businesses that pay for incoming calls have the right to see who's calling. *67 is stripped automatically.
Law Enforcement Subpoenas
Your carrier always has a record. Courts can compel carriers to reveal caller identity for any call.
Text Messages
*67 only works for voice calls. SMS and MMS always show your number. Use a second-number app for anonymous texting.
Is Anonymous Calling Legal?
Yes — hiding your real phone number is completely legal in the United States. The Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 (signed December 22, 2010) specifically targets transmitting false caller ID information with intent to defraud or cause harm. Simply blocking your number via *67 or carrier settings does not violate this law. The companion regulation, STIR/SHAKEN, governs how carriers cryptographically sign caller-ID for legitimate calls — see our STIR/SHAKEN explainer for how this affects whether your outbound calls ring or get flagged “Spam Likely”.
Legal
- • Dialing *67 to hide your number
- • Using carrier settings to block caller ID
- • Using a second number app (Burner, Hushed)
- • Calling from a VoIP service
- • Protecting your privacy for safety reasons
Illegal
- • Displaying a fake number to defraud someone
- • Spoofing caller ID to impersonate someone
- • Anonymous calls that constitute harassment
- • Using false identity for scam calls
- • Penalties: up to $10,000 per violation
Legitimate uses of anonymous calling include: domestic violence survivors, healthcare professionals calling from personal phones, lawyers protecting client information, journalists protecting sources, and anyone wanting basic phone privacy.
International Anonymous Calling Codes
| Country / Region | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US & Canada | *67 | Works on all carriers |
| UK & Ireland | 141 | Dial before the number |
| Europe (GSM) | #31# | Standard GSM code, works across Europe |
| Australia | 1831 | Works on all Australian networks |
| India | #31# | GSM standard code |
| Any smartphone | — | Use phone Settings → Caller ID instead of codes |
Why People Make Anonymous Calls: The Numbers
80%
of Americans won't answer calls from unknown numbers
94%
of Americans & Canadians refuse calls from unknown caller ID
Ironically, this means hiding your number can make the call less likely to be answered. If you need the person to pick up, consider using a second phone number app instead — the recipient sees a real number but not your personal one.
Useful Calling Tools
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