Privacy is a weird thing in 2026. We share our entire lives on social media but freak out if a random delivery driver has our personal cell digits. Honestly, it makes sense. Once your number is out there, it stays out there. Whether you are calling a marketplace seller from Craigslist or just checking in with a business that doesn't need to be in your contacts, knowing how to block my number when calling is basically a digital survival skill at this point.
It isn't just about being "incognito." It's about data control.
When you make a standard call, your phone transmits a packet of data that includes your Caller ID. This isn't just a courtesy for the person on the other end; it’s a breadcrumb. Marketing firms and data brokers love these breadcrumbs. If you've ever wondered why you get a spike in spam calls after calling a "toll-free" inquiry line, that is why. They captured your ANI (Automatic Number Identification), and now you’re on a list.
The Classic *67 Trick (And Why It Still Works)
You probably remember this from high school. Or maybe your parents told you about it. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the telecom world.
Basically, if you dial *67 followed by the number you’re trying to reach, your caller ID will show up as "Private," "Anonymous," or "Restricted." It works on almost every landline and smartphone in North America. It is a vertical service code. Simple.
But there's a catch.
Actually, a few catches. First, it only works for that specific call. If you hang up and call back without the code, you’re exposed. Second, a lot of people have "Anonymous Call Rejection" enabled. If you use *67 to call someone with that setting, your call won't even ring on their end. They’ll just get a message saying you need to unblock your number to reach them. It’s a bit of a cat-and-mouse game.
Also, keep in mind that *67 won't hide your identity from 911 or toll-free numbers. Those systems are designed to see through the mask for emergency and billing purposes. If you're trying to prank a 1-800 line, forget it. They see you.
iPhone vs. Android: The Permanent Toggle
If you're tired of typing codes every time, you can just flip a switch in your settings. It's hidden pretty deep, though.
On an iPhone, you’ve gotta go to Settings, then scroll down to Phone, and look for "Show My Caller ID." If you toggle that off, you’re ghosted on every call you make. Easy, right? Well, sort of. Some carriers—looking at you, Verizon—actually grey this option out. They want you to manage it through their own proprietary apps or monthly "privacy" subscriptions.
Android is a bit more chaotic because every manufacturer hides it in a different spot.
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On a standard Google Pixel or a clean Android build, you open the Phone app, hit the three dots for Settings, go to "Calling Accounts," and then "Additional Settings." There, you'll find "Caller ID." You can set it to "Hide number." If you're on a Samsung Galaxy, it's usually under "Supplementary Services." It’s buried. It's almost like they don't want you to find it.
Why "No Caller ID" Can Be a Bad Move
There is a psychological element here that most tech guides ignore.
When a phone rings and says "Restricted," what do you do? Most people ignore it. In an era of non-stop robocalls and "Scam Likely" alerts, a hidden number is a red flag. If you are trying to reach a doctor's office or a government agency, blocking your number might actually prevent you from getting through.
I’ve seen cases where people missed important legal deadlines because they had their number blocked and the person they were trying to reach simply didn't pick up "private" calls. It’s a trade-off. You get privacy, but you lose credibility.
Using "Burner" Apps for Better Privacy
If you really want to know how to block my number when calling without looking like a telemarketer, you should probably look into secondary number apps.
Apps like Burner or Hushed are great because they don't just "hide" your number; they give you a second, functional number. This is much better for things like online dating or selling furniture. When you call from a Burner number, the recipient sees a real, local area code number. They are much more likely to answer.
And the best part? You can just "burn" the number when you're done.
- Google Voice: Still one of the best free options, though it’s tied to your Google account.
- Burner: Great for temporary use, paid but reliable.
- Skype: You can actually set your caller ID to be a different number or none at all.
These services act as a "proxy." The call goes from your phone to their server, then to the recipient. The recipient only sees the server's info. It’s a much more robust layer of protection than a simple *67 code.
The Legal Side of Hiding Your Number
Let's talk about the Truth in Caller ID Act.
In the United States, it’s not illegal to block your number. You have a right to privacy. However, it is illegal to "spoof" your number with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value. There is a fine line between wanting to remain anonymous and trying to trick someone into thinking you're the IRS.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules are pretty strict about this. If you're using these tools for legitimate privacy, you're fine. If you're using them to harass someone? The "Private" tag won't save you once a subpoena is involved. Carriers keep logs of the "Real" originating number regardless of what the display says.
Carrier-Level Blocking
If you want the "nuclear option," you call your carrier.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon can implement a permanent block on your outgoing caller ID at the network level. This means no matter what phone you put your SIM card into, your number stays hidden.
The downside? It's a massive pain to turn off if you suddenly need to show your ID for a specific call. You’d have to dial *82 before the number to "unhide" yourself for that one instance. It’s the reverse of the *67 method. Most people find this too cumbersome for daily use, but for people in specific professions—like social workers or private investigators—it’s often the standard operating procedure.
Dealing with "TrapCall" and De-masking Tools
You should know that the person you’re calling might be using TrapCall.
TrapCall is a service that "unmasks" blocked numbers. It works by redirecting a "Private" call to a toll-free number they own, which triggers the ANI data I mentioned earlier, and then sends the call back to the user with your real number revealed.
If someone really wants to know who is calling them, they can pay about $5 a month to strip away your *67 mask. Nothing is 100% foolproof in the digital age. If absolute anonymity is the goal, you shouldn't be using a cellular network at all; you should be looking into encrypted VoIP services like Signal, though that requires the other person to have the app too.
Practical Steps to Take Right Now
If you need to hide your digits, don't overcomplicate it. Start with the easiest method and scale up based on how much you actually care about the data trail.
- For a one-time call: Just use *67. It’s free, it’s instant, and it requires zero setup.
- For recurring privacy: Check your phone's built-in settings. If you're on an iPhone, hit that "Show My Caller ID" toggle in the Phone menu.
- For professional/long-term use: Grab a Google Voice number. It’s a "clean" way to have a secondary identity without the "Private Caller" stigma that makes people ignore their phones.
- Check your carrier app: Log into your Verizon or MyAT&T account. Often, there are "Privacy" or "Security" tabs that let you manage how your name and number appear on other people's screens. Sometimes they list your full name by default—you'll want to change that to "Wireless Customer" or something generic.
Ultimately, the best way to keep your number private is to be stingy with it. Use a secondary number for any retail sign-ups or public listings. Once your primary cell number is in a database, the "Private" toggle is just a band-aid on a much larger privacy wound. Keep your real number for friends, family, and two-factor authentication only. Everything else gets a proxy.