Privacy is basically a myth these days. Between data brokers selling your digital soul and telemarketers who seem to have your cell on speed dial, your phone number is a massive liability. It’s more than just a way to reach you; it's a digital fingerprint. If someone has your ten digits, they can often find your address, your relatives, and maybe even your LinkedIn profile. That’s why learning how to hide your number when calling isn't just for pranksters or private investigators anymore. It’s basic digital hygiene.
Sometimes you just need to call a contractor or a marketplace seller without them having a direct line to your pocket for the next five years. You’ve probably tried the old tricks, but mobile carriers and VOIP services keep changing the rules.
The *67 method and why it still works
Let's start with the classic. Honestly, it’s impressive that *67 is still a thing. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the telecom world. You just pull up your keypad, tap those three characters, and then dial the full number. On the other end, the person sees "Private," "Blocked," or "Restricted."
It works by triggering a specific command in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It tells the carrier to withhold the Caller ID information. But there’s a catch you should know about. This doesn't work for toll-free numbers or emergency services. If you dial 911 or an 800-number, they’re going to see you. Companies pay for those toll-free lines, and part of that "service" includes seeing who is calling so they can bill or track properly. Also, some people have "Anonymous Call Rejection" enabled. If you use *67 to call them, your call won't even ring. It’ll just go straight to a recording saying they don't accept private calls. Kind of a bummer if you’re trying to reach someone urgently.
Nuking your Caller ID via phone settings
If you’re tired of typing codes every single time, you can just flip a switch in your phone’s software. It’s buried, though. They don't make it easy because, frankly, carriers prefer transparency.
On an iPhone, you’re looking for Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Just toggle that off. Suddenly, you’re a ghost. If you’re on Android, it’s a bit messier because every manufacturer likes to move the furniture around. Usually, you open the Phone app, hit the three dots for "Settings," find "Supplementary Services" or "Calling Accounts," and then look for "Caller ID."
Choosing "Hide number" does exactly what it says.
But here’s the thing. This setting is a "request." Your carrier has to actually honor it. Most major US carriers like Verizon or AT&T will, but if you’re using a budget MVNO or roaming internationally, sometimes the signal doesn't carry over correctly. I’ve seen cases where people thought they were hidden, but the recipient’s screen showed their number anyway. It’s glitchy. If you really want to hide your number when calling, relying solely on a software toggle is risky.
Using a secondary "Burner" number
If you do a lot of business or online dating, you shouldn't be hiding your number; you should be using a different one. This is the pro move. Apps like Burner, Hushed, or even Google Voice give you a legitimate secondary number that forwards calls to your primary device.
Google Voice is great because it’s free (mostly), but it’s tied to your Google account. If you want true anonymity, Burner or Hushed are better. They allow you to buy a "disposable" number. You use it to call that guy from Craigslist about the couch, and once the transaction is done, you burn the number. It ceases to exist.
The beauty of this is that even if the other person has "Block Private Calls" turned on, your call will go through. To them, you look like a normal caller from a local area code. You get the privacy of being hidden without the stigma of appearing as a "Restricted" caller.
The "TrapCall" problem: You aren't as hidden as you think
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. There are services out there designed specifically to unmask you. TrapCall is the most famous one.
If you call someone who uses TrapCall, they can decline your "Private" call, and the service will redirect it through a toll-free loop. Remember how I said *67 doesn't work on toll-free numbers? TrapCall uses that loophole. They force your number to reveal itself and then send it back to the user via a push notification.
It’s an arms race.
You hide, they unmask. If you’re trying to hide your number when calling because you’re worried about a specific person, keep in mind that they might be paying $5 a month just to see who’s hiding. In those cases, a burner app or a VOIP service is the only way to stay truly anonymous because the number they "unmask" isn't actually your real one.
Why carriers are making this harder (STIR/SHAKEN)
The FCC has been cracking down on "spoofing"—that annoying thing where scammers call you from a number that looks like your neighbor's. This led to a framework called STIR/SHAKEN.
Basically, carriers are now required to digitally "sign" calls to prove the number on the Caller ID is actually the person calling. When you try to hide your number when calling, you’re essentially asking the carrier to send an unsigned or "restricted" header. As these security protocols get tighter, more and more carriers are flagging "Private" calls as "Potential Spam."
You might not be blocked, but you’ll probably be ignored.
Practical steps for total privacy
If you’re serious about this, don't just rely on one method. Use layers.
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- For a quick one-off call: Use
*67. It’s fast and requires zero setup. Just don't expect it to work if you're calling a government office or a big corporation. - For recurring privacy: Get a Google Voice or Hushed number. It acts as a shield. You can even set these numbers to go straight to voicemail if you don't want to deal with return calls.
- The "Nuclear" Option: If you’re genuinely concerned about stalking or harassment, contact your carrier directly. They can implement a permanent "Caller ID Restrict" on your account level. This is much more robust than the toggle in your iPhone settings.
Honestly, the best way to keep your number private is to stop giving it out. Every time a retail store asks for your number for "rewards," give them a fake one or a secondary VOIP number. Once your real mobile number is in a database, it's basically public property.
When you hide your number when calling, you're taking back a small piece of that control. Just remember that the person on the other end has the right to ignore you—and if you’re "Restricted," they probably will.
Next steps for securing your phone:
Check your mobile app store for "Hushed" or "Burner" to set up a secondary line. Then, go into your phone settings and ensure "Silence Unknown Callers" is turned on to prevent others from doing to you what you're trying to do to them.