To hide your phone number on an iPhone, turn off Show My Caller ID in Settings or dial a blocking code like *67 before the number.
What Hiding Your Phone Number On An An iPhone Really Means
When you hide your phone number on an iPhone, the person you call sees labels like “No Caller ID,” “Private,” or “Unknown” instead of your digits. Your voice connection still works the same way, but the receiving phone does not show your line on its caller ID screen.
This block only affects regular voice calls. Your number still appears in text threads, messaging apps, and many call records held by carriers and emergency services. It is a privacy feature, not a way to vanish from all logs.
Apple builds the caller ID switch into iOS, but your mobile carrier controls part of the feature. On many plans the toggle in Settings works straight away. On some carriers, you need to ask support to enable caller ID blocking on your account, or the option may be missing altogether. Apple’s own iPhone phone settings guide explains that the Show My Caller ID switch can be unavailable when the carrier does not support changes from the phone side.
Quick Ways To Hide Your Number For A Single Call
Many people just want to hide their number once in a while, such as when calling a new business, a classified ad, or someone who does not need your contact details yet. For that, a per-call blocking code is usually enough.
Use The *67 Code In North America
On most mobile carriers in the United States and Canada, dialing *67 before the phone number hides your caller ID for that one call. The person you ring sees “Private” or similar instead of your mobile number, and your next call goes back to normal. AT&T and other large providers still document *67 as the standard per-call blocking method for wireless lines on their support pages.
- Open the Phone app — Tap the green Phone icon on your Home Screen or in the App Library.
- Dial *67 — Enter star six seven first.
- Add the phone number — Type the full number, including area code.
- Place the call — Tap the call button and wait for the connection as usual.
Test this with a friend or a second phone to be sure it works with your carrier. Some discount or regional providers still route calls differently and may ignore the *67 prefix or use another code.
Know The Codes Outside North America
In many countries that use GSM networks, a common pattern is to dial #31# before the number to hide caller ID for a single call. Local providers sometimes publish their own codes, or they may push you toward using the built-in caller ID switch instead. If *67 or #31# does not change what the receiving phone shows, check your carrier’s support site and look for a page on caller ID blocking or “number withholding.”
Save A “Hidden Call” Version Of A Number
If you ring the same person often but do not want your number to appear, you can save a second contact that always uses a blocking code.
- Create a new contact — In Contacts, tap the plus button and enter a name that reminds you the call is hidden.
- Store the code with the number — In the phone field, type *67 or your local code directly in front of the phone number.
- Use that contact for private calls — Call this special entry whenever you want your ID hidden for that person.
Some carriers block blocking codes in contact fields, so test once before you rely on it. Also, this method works only for standard voice calls, not for FaceTime Audio or calls placed through third-party internet calling apps.
How To Hide Your Phone Number On iPhone For Every Call
If you prefer your iPhone to hide your caller ID on almost every call, you can usually change that in Settings. This option affects outgoing voice calls from the built-in Phone app. It does not affect text messages, FaceTime, or calls made from apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
Turn Off Show My Caller ID In Settings
- Open Settings — Tap the grey gear icon on your Home Screen.
- Scroll down and tap Phone — This opens options that control calling on the device.
- Tap Show My Caller ID — On some recent iOS versions you may see this under Apps > Phone.
- Turn the switch off — When the toggle is off, your number stops showing for most outbound calls.
If the Show My Caller ID option is missing or greyed out, your carrier likely manages caller ID at the network level. In that case, you need to contact support and ask whether they can hide your line, either always or on request. Many low-cost plans lock this setting to reduce misuse, so there is no way to change it on the iPhone itself.
Check The Effect With A Test Call
Once you turn caller ID off, make a short test call to someone you trust or to another phone you own.
- Call a contact who can send you a screenshot — Ask them what shows on their screen when you ring.
- Try both mobile and landline numbers — Some networks handle caller ID hiding differently across lines.
- Try a toll-free number — Many toll-free and emergency lines ignore caller ID blocking and still see your number.
If your test person still sees your number after you turned the switch off, the block is not active. At that point, only your carrier can confirm whether full-time caller ID hiding is possible on your plan or in your region.
Hide Your Number Only For Certain People
You might not want your number hidden for every call. Friends and family often ignore calls marked as private, while you may still want privacy when calling businesses or new contacts. iOS does not include a built-in “hide for some people, show for others” mode, but you can build a simple routine that comes close.
Create “Hidden Call” Shortcuts Or Contacts
The lowest effort option is to keep both a normal contact and a “hidden call” contact for any person where you sometimes want number privacy. The “hidden call” version can use *67 or your local code in front of the same number. You then pick the right entry from your contact list depending on how you want your caller ID to behave for that call.
Use Calling Apps With Their Own Identity
Some VoIP and calling apps present a separate caller identity that is not obviously linked to your mobile number. A few services give you a second line, which can help when you do not want to share your main number with a customer or online listing. These apps have their own rules, records, and fees, so read their terms carefully; companies and regulators can still trace abuse.
Carrier Limits And Legal Rules Around Hiding Caller ID
Caller ID hiding on iPhone sits on top of carrier and country rules. The phone can request that your number be withheld, but the network has the final word on which calls will obey that request.
- Emergency calls — Calls to emergency services such as 911 or national equivalents ignore caller ID blocking. Your number and location can still reach responders.
- Toll-free and service lines — Many toll-free numbers and help desks ignore caller ID blocking, so they still see your number even when the screen says “Private” on your side.
- Abuse protection — Repeated misuse of hidden calls can lead some carriers to drop calls or restrict features. Privacy tools are not a shield for harassment or fraud.
Some carriers also refuse to let you hide caller ID at all, at least on some plans. Others only allow per-call blocking and do not let the Show My Caller ID switch take effect. If caller ID privacy is a priority for you, ask support before you sign a new plan or switch providers.
Why Your Caller ID Might Still Show
Even when you follow every step above, there are times when your number still appears.
- The other person saved your number — On some systems, if the recipient has your number stored, their phone may label the incoming call with your name even when the network marks the call as private.
- Apps share more data — Calls placed through messaging apps or business dialers often show more contact details than a plain GSM call, especially when linked to profiles or company accounts.
- International routing — Calls that pass through several networks can lose the privacy flag, so your number might show on the far end even when it was hidden when it left your phone.
Think of caller ID blocking as a privacy layer that works in many situations but not every one. It keeps your number off most screens, but it does not remove it from carrier logs or law enforcement access.
When You Should Not Hide Your Phone Number
Hiding your number feels comfortable when you do not know who is on the other side, yet there are moments where showing your caller ID helps everyone.
- Emergency calls — When you need police, fire, or medical services, your number and location help teams reach you faster. Do not rely on hidden caller ID in a crisis.
- Banks and security checks — Many banks and security-sensitive services match your number against their records. If the call comes from a hidden number, support might spend extra time verifying your identity.
- Friends, family, and clients — People who know you may ignore “Private” calls because of spam. Showing your number can raise the chance that your call is picked up the first time.
One healthy habit is to leave caller ID on for your daily calls and turn on hiding only when you have a clear reason. That way most people still recognise your number, while you still have tools for those moments when you need a bit more privacy.
Quick Reference: Ways To Hide Your Caller ID On iPhone
If you just need a quick scan of the options, the table below sums up the main ways to hide your phone number on an iPhone and when each one works best.
| Method | How It Works | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Per-call code (*67, #31#, etc.) | Dial a prefix before the number to hide caller ID once. | Occasional private calls to businesses or new contacts. |
| Show My Caller ID switch | Turn caller ID off in Settings > Phone when your carrier allows it. | People who prefer most calls to appear as private. |
| “Hidden call” contacts | Save a version of the contact that includes the blocking code. | Regular calls to the same person where you want privacy. |
| Second-line or VoIP apps | Call through an app that uses a separate number or identity. | Work calls, listings, or side projects where you do not share your main number. |
Pick the method that fits how often you hide your number and how much control your carrier gives you. With the right mix of settings and calling habits, you can keep your iPhone number off random screens while still staying reachable when it matters.