Privacy is essential, especially when making phone calls. If you want to hide your number from the recipient, using *67 is one of the easiest methods. This feature blocks your caller ID, making your number appear “Private” or “Unknown” on the receiver’s screen. Whether you need to make anonymous calls for personal reasons or to protect your identity, this guide explains how *67 works and other ways to keep your number private.
What Is *67 and How Does It Work?
The *67 feature is a caller ID blocking code that instructs the phone network to hide your number when placing an outbound call. When you dial *67 followed by a phone number, the recipient will not see your real number. Instead, they will see a message like “Blocked Caller” or “No Caller ID.”
This method only works on a per-call basis, meaning you need to dial *67 before each call you want to keep private. It is a temporary solution and does not permanently disable caller ID.
How to Use *67 to Hide Your Number
Using *67 is straightforward and requires no additional setup. Follow these steps to make a private call:
- Open your phone’s dialer.
- Dial *67 before the phone number you want to call (e.g., *67-123-456-7890).
- Press the call button and wait for the call to connect.
- The recipient’s caller ID will display “Private Number” or “Unknown.”
This method works instantly and does not require any activation from your carrier.
Does *67 Work on All Phones and Carriers?
Most mobile and landline providers support *67 for blocking caller ID. However, there are some exceptions where *67 might not work:
- Emergency numbers (911, 112, etc.) – Calls to emergency services will always show your number, even if you use *67.
- Toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, etc.) – Businesses with toll-free numbers often use systems that override caller ID blocking.
- Some mobile carriers – A few service providers may restrict caller ID blocking for specific plans.
If *67 does not work on your device, check with your carrier to confirm whether the feature is supported.
Alternative Ways to Hide Your Number Permanently
If you do not want to dial *67 before every call, there are other ways to block your number:
- Phone Settings – Most smartphones allow you to disable caller ID in the settings menu.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID, then toggle it off.
- On Android: Open Phone > Settings > More Settings > Caller ID, then select Hide Number.
- Carrier-Based Blocking – Some providers offer permanent caller ID blocking. Contact your carrier to request this option.
- VoIP and Burner Apps – Services like Google Voice or temporary number apps allow users to call without revealing their actual number.
How to Unblock Your Number After Using *67
If you previously blocked your number but want to display it again, several ways exist to unblock it. One quick option is to dial *82 before the number you wish to call. This temporarily unblocks your caller ID for that specific call, making your number visible to the recipient.
Another way to restore your caller ID is by adjusting your phone settings. If you previously disabled caller ID permanently, you can go back to your device settings and turn it back on. On iPhones, this option is found under Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID, while Android users can navigate to Phone > Settings > More Settings > Caller ID and select “Show Number.”
If your caller ID remains blocked despite these steps, the restriction may have been set at the carrier level. In this case, you should contact your mobile provider and request to have caller ID enabled again. Some carriers offer permanent caller ID blocking that can only be reversed by making a formal request.
Conclusion
Hiding your phone number with *67 is a simple and effective way to make anonymous calls. While it works on most networks, certain exceptions apply. If you want a more permanent solution, adjusting your phone settings or using a VoIP service can offer long-term caller ID privacy.
If this guide was helpful, share it with others who might need to keep their number private.
