How to Hide Your Number When Calling: Complete Guide 2026

Updated September 29, 20268 min readBubblyPhone Team

Learn how to hide your phone number when making calls. Step-by-step guide for *67, iPhone settings, Android settings, and permanent caller ID blocking.

How to hide your phone number when calling

To hide your phone number when calling in the US or Canada, dial *67 before the number (for example *67 555 123 4567); the other person sees “Private” or “Blocked”. In the UK dial 141 first, and on many other networks #31#. To hide it on every call, turn off “Show My Caller ID” in your iPhone or Android phone settings.

Quick Methods to Hide Your Number

Per-Call Blocking: Dial *67 before the number

Unblock Per-Call: Dial *82 before the number

Alternative Code: #31# (some networks)

Recipient Sees: "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown"

Does *67 Still Work in 2026?

Yes, *67 Still Works!

The *67 code remains a functional and widely used method for blocking caller ID in 2026. It works on most landlines, iPhones, Android phones, and VoIP services. Simply dial *67 before the phone number, and the recipient will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown Caller" instead of your number.

Method 1: Using *67 (Per-Call Blocking)

This is the quickest and most universal method. It works on virtually all phones in the US and Canada:

How to Use *67

1

Open your phone's dialer

2

Dial *67 followed by the phone number

Example: *67-555-123-4567

3

Press call

Your number will be hidden for this call only

*67 + 555-123-4567

*67 Limitations

⚠️

Doesn't work for toll-free numbers

1-800, 1-888, 1-877, etc. can still see your number

⚠️

Emergency services still see your number

911 calls will always display your caller ID for safety

⚠️

Call may be rejected

Some people block anonymous/private calls entirely

⚠️

Not truly anonymous

Phone companies and law enforcement can still trace the call

Method 2: Hide Caller ID on iPhone (Permanent)

If you want to hide your number for all outgoing calls without dialing *67 each time, you can enable this in your iPhone settings:

iPhone Caller ID Settings

1

Open Settings

2

Tap "Apps" → "Phone"

(On older iOS: Settings → Phone)

3

Tap "Show My Caller ID"

4

Toggle OFF to hide your number

All outgoing calls will now show as private

Note: This option may be grayed out if your carrier doesn't support it or if it's controlled by your carrier's account settings. Contact your carrier if the option is unavailable.

Method 3: Hide Caller ID on Android (Permanent)

Android phones can also hide caller ID permanently through settings, though the exact steps vary by manufacturer:

Android Caller ID Settings (Stock Android/Pixel)

1

Open the Phone app

2

Tap the three-dot menu → Settings

3

Tap "Calls" or "Calling accounts"

4

Select your SIM card

5

Tap "Additional settings" → "Caller ID"

6

Select "Hide number"

Samsung Galaxy

Phone app → Menu → Settings → Supplementary services → Show your caller ID → Hide number

OnePlus

Phone app → Settings → Calling accounts → SIM → Additional settings → Caller ID

Method 4: Contact Your Carrier (Permanent Block)

You can request your carrier to permanently block your caller ID on all outgoing calls. This is sometimes called "Complete Caller ID Blocking" or "Line Level Blocking."

CarrierHow to EnableCost
AT&TCall 611 or manage online via myAT&TUsually free
VerizonCall *611 or My Verizon appUsually free
T-MobileCall 611 or T-Mobile appFree
Sprint (now T-Mobile)Call *2 or account settingsFree

Tip: If you have carrier-level blocking enabled but need to show your number for a specific call, dial *82 before the number to temporarily unblock your caller ID.

Alternative: Using #31#

Some networks and VoIP services support the GSM code #31# instead of *67. This is more common internationally:

#31# + phone number

Example: #31#555-123-4567

Method Comparison

MethodDurationBest For
*67Single callOccasional privacy needs
Phone settingsUntil changedFrequent callers who want always-hidden
Carrier blockingPermanentMaximum privacy preference
VoIP appsPer app/callBusiness use, separate number

Better Alternative: Use a VoIP Number

Instead of hiding your number, consider using a VoIP app like BubblyPhone that gives you a separate phone number. This way you can:

Benefits of a Second Number

  • ✓ Keep personal number private
  • ✓ Recipients see a real number (more likely to answer)
  • ✓ Professional business presence
  • ✓ No blocked call rejections
  • ✓ Cheap international calling

Get a Free Second Number

BubblyPhone gives you a real US phone number you can use for calls without revealing your personal number.

Try BubblyPhone Free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does *67 still work in 2026?

Yes, *67 still works on most US carriers in 2026. Simply dial *67 before the phone number to hide your caller ID for that specific call.

Is hiding your phone number legal?

Yes, blocking your caller ID is completely legal in the United States. However, using caller ID blocking for harassment, fraud, or illegal purposes is against the law.

Can blocked numbers still be traced?

Yes, phone companies and law enforcement can still trace calls even when caller ID is blocked. *67 only hides your number from the person you're calling, not from the phone company.

Why does *67 not work sometimes?

*67 doesn't work for toll-free numbers (1-800, etc.), emergency services (911), or when the recipient has a service that unmasks blocked calls. Some VoIP services may also not support it.

What's the code to unblock my number temporarily?

Dial *82 before the phone number to show your caller ID for that specific call if you have permanent blocking enabled on your line.

Does *67 cost anything?

No, *67 is a free service provided by most carriers. You'll only pay your normal call rates. However, note that the call still counts toward your minutes if applicable.

Get a Private Second Number

Keep your personal number private with a separate BubblyPhone number for calls.

Get Your Number →

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