How Can I Block My Number On My Cell Phone? | Private Call Steps

Guide / By

Use *67 for one call, or turn off Show My Caller ID (iPhone) or Hide number (Android); toll-free and 911 still see your number.

Want one quick call without sharing your number, or a setting that hides it on every call? This guide walks you through both. You’ll see fast keypad codes that work across most carriers, plus clean, step-by-step menus on iPhone and Android. You’ll also get carrier toggles, limits you can expect, and safer workarounds. By the end, you’ll know how can I block my number on my cell phone? in seconds, then keep it that way when you need longer-term privacy.

How Can I Block My Number On My Cell Phone? (Step-By-Step)

Quick check: Decide whether you need a one-off private call or line-wide blocking.

  • Hide A Single Call — Dial *67 — Open the dialer, type *67 + number, then place the call. The other side sees “Private,” “Blocked,” or “Anonymous.”
  • Show A Single Call When Blocked — Dial *82 — If your line is set to hide, use *82 + number to show it just for that call.
  • Hide Every Call On iPhone — Settings → Phone → Show My Caller ID → off.
  • Hide Every Call On Android — Phone app → menu → Settings → Supplementary services → Show your caller ID → Never.
  • Use Carrier Controls — Many plans include a line-level “Caller ID Blocking” switch in the account app/portal.

Heads-up: Toll-free numbers and emergency services still receive your number. Some businesses also refuse calls from hidden numbers and send them to voicemail. If you need them to pick up, unhide for that call with *82.

Blocking Your Number On A Cell Phone — The Fast Options

One-call privacy: The *67 prefix is the fastest path. Open the dialer, type *67, then the full number with area code, and tap Call. It hides your caller ID for that call only. Use it anytime you don’t want to change system settings.

  • Try A Test Call — Call a friend or a second phone and confirm their screen shows “Private” or “Anonymous.”
  • Need To Unhide Just Once? — When your line is set to hide by default, prefix with *82 before the number to show it for that call.
  • Know The Limits — Toll-free desks and 911 always receive your number; hiding won’t apply there.

These star codes are widely supported across major U.S. carriers and many MVNOs. If a prefix doesn’t work on your plan, use the iPhone or Android settings below or your carrier’s account switch.

iPhone: Turn Off “Show My Caller ID”

Every-call hide: iPhone has a built-in switch that keeps your number hidden until you turn it back on.

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Phone.
  3. Tap Show My Caller ID, then switch it off.

Also useful: If the toggle doesn’t appear, your carrier manages caller ID at the network level. In that case, use *67 for single calls or turn on a line-level block in your carrier app. To show your number for one call while the toggle is off, dial *82 before the number.

  • Quick path back — Settings → Phone → Show My Caller ID → on.
  • If the switch spins or is greyed out — Wait a moment on Wi-Fi or toggle Airplane mode for a short reset, then retry. If it still won’t load, use the carrier app switch.

Android: Hide Caller ID In The Phone App

Android places the hide/show control in your Phone app’s settings. The exact labels differ a bit by brand, but the path stays close.

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Tap the menu (three dots) → Settings.
  3. Open Supplementary services or Calls → Additional settings.
  4. Tap Show your caller ID (or Caller ID) → choose Never or Hide number.

Need one call to show? Leave the setting on “Never,” then dial with *82 + number when a business won’t accept private calls.

  • Samsung wording — Settings → Supplementary services → Show your caller ID → set to Never.
  • Pixel-style wording — Settings → Calling accounts → Additional settings → Caller ID → Hide number.

Tip: If your phone shows “Network default,” try Never to hide, and Always to show. If the option isn’t present, your carrier controls it; use *67 or the account app.

How Can I Block My Number On My Cell Phone? (Carrier Controls)

Account-level block: Many plans include a switch named “Caller ID Blocking” or similar. Turn it on in the carrier app or web portal to hide your number on every outgoing call from that line. You can still reveal it per call with *82.

  • Verizon — In the My Verizon app: Plans & Devices → your device → Block specific services → enable Caller ID Blocking. You can also use *67 for one call and *82 to show once.
  • AT&T — AT&T supports *67 for one call and offers device settings to hide every call; account tools vary by plan.
  • T-Mobile — Short code *671+number blocks a single call. Line-level caller ID options live in account settings.

Why use the carrier switch? It applies even if your phone lacks the menu toggle, and it covers SIM swaps. Keep *82 handy when you need the other side to see your number once.

Limits, Gotchas, And Safe Testing

Where hiding won’t apply: Toll-free desks (like 800 numbers) and emergency services still receive caller info. Expect the call to connect with your number visible on their side even when you dial with *67 or have blocking on.

  • Some recipients auto-filter — Many banks, clinics, and businesses send private calls to voicemail. If you need a live person, call again with *82.
  • Call logs and records — Hiding affects what the recipient’s phone displays, not what carriers keep for billing or legal requests.
  • Run a quick test — Place a call to a second phone you control and confirm it shows “Private” or “Blocked.” Then repeat with *82 to ensure it shows your number when needed.

Emergency use: Always call 911 without prefixes. Line-level blocks are ignored for emergency routing.

Better Privacy Options (When You Call A Lot)

If you call clients or sellers often and don’t want to share your mobile number, a second number can be cleaner than constant toggling. Two easy paths:

  • Google Voice — Get a free second number and turn on “Anonymous caller ID” in Voice settings when you need private outbound calls. It’s simple to switch off later for callback-friendly calls.
  • Carrier Add-Ons — Some plans offer branded caller ID privacy or business-line options inside their apps. These apply at the network level and keep the setting consistent across phones using that SIM.

Workflow tip: Use the second number for listings, sign-ups, and public posts. Keep your primary number for contacts who should reach you back directly.

Method Comparison At A Glance

Method Scope How To Use
*67 Prefix One call Dial *67 + full number; repeat next time
*82 Prefix Reveal one call When blocked by default, dial *82 + number
iPhone Setting Every call Settings → Phone → Show My Caller ID → off
Android Setting Every call Phone app → Settings → Supplementary services → Show your caller ID → Never
Carrier Account Switch Every call (line-level) Open carrier app/portal → enable Caller ID Blocking
Second Number Separate identity Use Voice or a carrier add-on; share that number instead

Clean Routine You Can Follow

  1. Pick Your Mode — Need a single private call? Use *67. Need ongoing privacy? Set the phone or carrier switch.
  2. Place A Test Call — Call a second phone and confirm the screen shows “Private” when hidden, then try *82 to verify reveal-once.
  3. Set A Fallback — Some desks refuse hidden calls. Keep *82 ready or call from your second number.
  4. Review Carrier Tools — Turn on line-level blocking if your phone menu lacks the toggle.

That’s the full picture: keypad codes for speed, phone menus for always-on privacy, account switches for network-level control, and smart fallbacks when a caller needs to see who’s ringing. With these, you’ll never wonder again, “how can I block my number on my cell phone?”