You're sitting there, thumb hovering over the dial button, and you realize you don't actually want this person—this company, this random Craigslist seller, this distant relative—to have your personal digits forever. It's a weirdly vulnerable feeling. Your phone number is basically your digital social security number now. It’s linked to your bank, your WhatsApp, your two-factor authentication, and your food delivery apps. Once it’s out there, it stays out there. This is why knowing how to do not show phone number data is less about being "shady" and more about basic digital hygiene in a world where data brokers sell your life for pennies.
Privacy isn't a luxury anymore. It’s a chore.
Most people think a simple *67 does the trick every time. It doesn't. Not always. There are layers to this stuff, ranging from the classic carrier codes to burner apps and VoIP settings that act like a digital mask. Honestly, if you aren't masking your number occasionally, you're just asking for a lifetime of "Extended Warranty" robocalls.
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The Classic *67 Trick and Why It Fails
The most famous way to do not show phone number info is the vertical service code. In the US and Canada, dialing *67 before the number is the old-school standard. It sends a "Private" or "Blocked" signal to the receiving caller ID. It's free. It’s fast. But it's also incredibly limited.
For one, it doesn’t work on toll-free numbers. If you call an 800 or 888 number, the receiving party usually uses Automatic Number Identification (ANI). They're paying for the call, so the phone company gives them your number regardless of your privacy settings. Also, people just don't pick up "Private Caller" hits anymore. Most smartphones have a setting called "Silence Unknown Callers," which means your *67 call won't even ring. It goes straight to the digital graveyard of missed calls.
If you’re in the UK or Ireland, the code is 141. In Australia, it’s #31#. These codes are baked into the GSM and CDMA protocols that run our networks. They are relics of the landline era that somehow survived the jump to 5G. They are fine for a one-off call to a local business, but they offer zero protection against sophisticated tracking or "trap-and-trace" services used by some organizations.
Going Deep Into Smartphone Settings
If you want a more permanent "ghost" mode, you have to dig into the OS. You don't need a degree in computer science, but you do need to know where the manufacturers hide the toggle.
On an iPhone, you're looking for Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. If it's toggled off, your number is hidden for every single outgoing call. The catch? Some carriers—looking at you, certain prepaid MVNOs—actually grey this option out. They want you to pay for the "privilege" of privacy.
Android is a bit more of a mess because every manufacturer likes to move the furniture around. Usually, you open the Phone app, hit the three dots for Settings, go to Supplementary Services or Calling Accounts, and find "Show my caller ID." It’s buried. Google wants it buried. Samsung wants it buried. Why? Because the more "transparent" the network is, the easier it is for the ecosystem to track user behavior.
Using Secondary Numbers (The Burner Method)
Sometimes "hiding" isn't enough. You need a sacrificial lamb. This is where apps like Burner, Hushed, or Google Voice come in.
Google Voice is the gold standard for many because it’s free, but it has a major flaw: it requires a "real" number to back it up. If you're trying to do not show phone number details to big tech, Google Voice isn't the shield you think it is. They still know who you are.
For true separation, an app like Burner creates a secondary data-layer number. When you call out, the recipient sees the Burner number. When they call back, the app routes it to your phone. It’s a proxy. It's great for dating apps or selling a couch. If the person starts getting weird, you just "burn" the number and get a new one. No awkward conversations. No need to change your actual SIM card.
The Problem with VoIP and Short Codes
One thing people rarely talk about is that these secondary numbers often fail at 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication). Ever tried to sign up for Uber or a banking app with a "fake" number? It often says "Invalid Number." This is because companies check the "Type" of number. They can see it's a VoIP (Voice over IP) line rather than a mobile line tied to a physical SIM. If your goal is to do not show phone number data during a signup process, you might be out of luck with the cheap apps. You’d need a "non-VoIP" number, which usually involves a secondary physical SIM or an eSIM from a provider like Mint Mobile or Tello.
Why Do You Even Need This?
It’s not just about hiding from an ex.
Think about "Skip Tracing." This is a technique used by debt collectors, private investigators, and—unfortunately—stalkers. They take one piece of info, like your phone number, and plug it into databases like LexisNexis or Whitepages. Within seconds, they have your current home address, your relatives' names, and even your criminal record if you have one.
By choosing to do not show phone number details, you’re breaking the link in that chain. You're making it harder for the "people search" engines to scrape your life. It’s a defense mechanism against the commodification of your identity.
Carrier-Level Privacy Services
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer "official" ways to mask your identity, but they usually come with a monthly fee. T-Mobile has a service called "DIGITS" that lets you use multiple numbers on one device. It’s cleaner than a third-party app because it’s integrated into the network tower level.
There is also the "Permanent Block" option. You can call your carrier and request that your outgoing caller ID be permanently restricted. This is different from the phone settings toggle because it happens at the switch. Even if you get a new phone, the block remains. It's the "nuclear option" for privacy. Just remember, you'll have to dial *82 before a number if you actually want someone to see who's calling—like when you're calling your doctor or a government office that blocks anonymous calls.
eSIMs: The Modern Privacy Loophole
The rise of eSIM technology has changed the game. Back in the day, you had to go to a store, buy a piece of plastic, and poke your phone with a paperclip. Now, you can download a second "line" in about thirty seconds.
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If you’re traveling or just want a separate "public" line, you can grab an eSIM from a provider like Airalo or Nomad. Even though these are often marketed as data-only, many now offer local numbers. It’s a physical separation of your digital identities. You keep your "Real" number for family and "The Number" for the rest of the world. It is the most effective way to do not show phone number info that actually matters.
The Reality of "Ghosting" Your Digits
You can't be a total ghost. Not really.
Emergency services (911/999) will always see your number. Your carrier will always see your number. The government, with a warrant, will always see your number. Masking is about protecting yourself from other private citizens and predatory corporations, not from the infrastructure itself.
There's also a psychological cost. When you hide your number, you look suspicious to some. It’s a trade-off. Do you want the convenience of being recognized, or the security of being invisible? Most of the time, the middle ground—using a secondary app for everything non-essential—is the winning play.
Actionable Steps for Better Privacy
- Check your current footprint. Type your phone number into a search engine like DuckDuckGo or a "People Search" site. See what pops up. If your home address is the first result, you have a leak.
- Toggle the OS setting. Go into your iPhone or Android settings and turn off "Show My Caller ID" for a day. See how many of your friends actually answer. It’s a good litmus test for how much of a "Private" caller you can afford to be.
- Get a "Trash" number. Download a free or cheap VoIP app. Use this number for every "rewards program," every "discount code," and every "contact us" form you fill out online.
- *Use 67 for one-offs. Don't overcomplicate it. If you’re calling a plumber for a quote and don't want them calling you back for the next six months, use the code.
- Audit your 2FA. If possible, move your two-factor authentication away from SMS and onto an app like Authy or Google Authenticator. This makes your phone number less of a "key" to your life, which reduces the damage if it ever does get leaked.
- Request data removal. Use services like Incogni or DeleteMe if you find your number is already plastered across the web. They do the legwork of sending opt-out requests to data brokers.
Privacy is a moving target. The methods to do not show phone number data today might be patched or bypassed tomorrow. But staying proactive is the only way to keep your personal life out of the hands of telemarketers and databases. It takes five minutes to set up a secondary line, but it saves you hundreds of hours of spam calls over a lifetime. Worth the effort? Absolutely.