How to block my phone number when calling out

There are all sorts of reasons to block a number: an ex who can't take a hint, relentless telemarketers, or those scammers who love spoofing. When your phone has buzzed one more time than you can take, it's time to block that number. But how? Here are the steps to take depending on your OS and carrier.

Do Not Call List

The first way to reduce the number of unwanted calls coming to your phone is to ditch telemarketers by putting your number into the National Do Not Call Registry. On DoNotCall.gov(Opens in a new window), you can register up to three numbers at once and check if your digits are already there(Opens in a new window). You'll need to include an email address to confirm your registration. Or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.

According to the FTC, which runs the registry, your phone number will be added to the registry within 24 hours, but it will likely take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop. If telemarketers persist in calling, file a complaint(Opens in a new window).

Apps like RoboKiller and Nomorobo also block telemarketers and robocallers (and even deploy answer bots that pester them). And apps such as Do Not Respond handle text spammers, too.

Don't expect this to end unwanted calls, though. Robocalls remain rampant, although the FCC has taken measures to cut down on them(Opens in a new window). While you wait for real results, here are some other steps you can take to reduce your phone ringing off the hook.

Operating Systems

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme. 

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

What to Know

• Enter *67 before dialing a number to hide your number from the recipient of the call.
• Android: Tap Phone > menu > Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID > Hide number.
• iPhone: Tap Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Turn off Show My Caller ID.

This article explains how to hide your number with *67 when you make calls on a smartphone.

How to Use *67 on an Android or iPhone

You can prevent your number from appearing on a recipient's phone or caller ID device when you place a call using a smartphone or a traditional landline by pressing *67 followed by the number you want to call. The person you're calling only sees a message such as "blocked" or "private number" when their phone rings.

*67 does not work when you call toll-free numbers or emergency numbers.

While using *67 works on smartphones, it must be entered each time you dial a number. Most cellular carriers offer a way to block your number on all outgoing calls using the Android or iOS device settings.

Other Ways to Hide Your Number on Android

How to Hide Your Number on an Android Phone

You can also use settings to hide your number while using an Android phone:

1. Tap the Phone icon, usually found toward the bottom of the screen.

2. Locate the Search bar on the Phone interface and tap the three vertically aligned dots found within it to display a drop-down menu.

3. Select Settings.

4. Tap the Calls section.

   
   

5. Tap Additional settings.

6. Tap Caller ID.

7. Tap Hide number when the pop-out interface is displayed.

   
   

How to Hide Your Number on an iPhone

To hide your number when you use an iPhone:

1. Tap the Settings icon.

2. Scroll down in the Settings interface and select Phone.

3. In the Calls section, tap Show My Caller ID.

4. If the Show My Caller ID toggle switch is green, tap it once so that it turns white, which is the off position. Your outgoing calls will now display with the message "No Caller ID" in place of your phone number.

   
   

Why Use *67?

Now a common feature on most home phones and virtually all mobile devices, caller ID gives us the ability to screen calls and avoid annoying friends or pesky telemarketers. An obvious downside to this functionality is that anonymity when placing a call is now a thing of the past.

Fortunately, vertical service codes like *67 can come in handy if you need to call people who you don't necessarily want to call you back. For example, if you need to call a business client after work hours from your personal phone, you might not want them to have that number.

Just keep in mind that some people choose to block hidden or private numbers from calling them automatically, in which case your call won't go through if you use *67.

How to Use Other Popular Vertical Service Codes

The following vertical service codes work with most popular providers. Check with your phone company if a particular code is not working as expected.

• *60: Provides the ability to block a specific number.
• *66: Continuously dials a busy number until the line becomes free.
• *69: Useful from a landline that does not have caller ID, this code dials the last number that called you.
• *70: Temporarily deactivates the call waiting feature.
• *72: Turns on call forwarding on a landline.
• *77: Turns on anonymous call rejection, which only allows incoming calls from people who reveal their number.

FAQ

• Can you hide your number when texting?

  Yes. To send anonymous texts on an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > turn off Show My Caller ID. On an Android, go to the Phone app and keypad > select More (three dots) > Settings > Call Settings. Next, tap Caller ID > Hide Caller.

• How do I block a number on an iPhone?

  To block a number on an iPhone, launch the Phone app and tap the Recent tab to show recent calls. Find the number you want to block and tap the i. Select Block This Caller > Block Contact. Or go to your Contacts, tap a contact > Block This Caller.

• How do I block a number on Android?

  To block a number on Android, launch the Phone app and find the number you want to block. (On a Samsung phone, tap Details.) If your carrier supports blocking, you'll see an option to Block number or Reject call.

  Does * 67 work on cell phones?

  Use *67 to hide your phone number This trick works for smartphones and landlines. Open your phone's keypad and dial * - 6 - 7, followed by the number you're trying to call. The free process hides your number, which will show up on the other end as “Private” or “Blocked” when reading on caller ID.

  Does * 67 still work?

  Based on our tests in April of 2022, this still works. If you dial *67 then the recipient's full ten-digit phone number, your call will ring through. The recipient's caller ID will say 'Unknown Caller' or something similar.

  How do I hide my number when making a call?

  Hide your caller ID for all calls.

  Open the Google Voice app ..

  At the top left, tap Menu. Settings..

  Under “Calls,” turn on Anonymous caller ID . If you want to show your phone number to people you call, turn off Anonymous caller ID ..

  Does * 69 block your number?

  *67 – Caller ID Block: Hides your phone number on Caller ID systems. *69 – Call Return: Redials the last number that called you. *70 – Call Waiting: Places your call on hold so you can answer another.