2 simple ways to hide your phone number before your next call - Talk Android
· TalkAndroidTired of handing out your phone number every time you make a call? Whether you’re ringing someone from a classified ad, calling a business you don’t entirely trust or value your privacy, it’s surprisingly easy to keep your number under wraps. Here are two straightforward methods to protect your privacy when dialling out.
How to hide your number for a single call
Sometimes you only want to stay anonymous for one conversation—say you’re selling something online and don’t want your number circulating. For that, there’s a quick code that does the trick.
On most smartphones, open your dial pad and type #31# before the number you’re calling. For example: #31# 07XXXXXXXX. When your call goes through, the person on the other end will see “Private number” or “Unknown caller” instead of your contact details.
This trick works across nearly all major carriers and both Android and iPhone, making it a handy, free privacy tool. Please note, however, that specific emergency numbers and government services will still display your caller ID for security reasons.
How to block your number permanently
If you make a lot of calls and prefer not to display your number, you can set your phone to hide it automatically. The process is slightly different depending on whether you’re on Android or iPhone:
On Android:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and go to Settings.
- Choose Calls > Additional settings.
- Select Caller ID and then choose Hide number.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll to Phone.
- Tap Show My Caller ID and switch it off.
Once you’ve done this, every call you make will appear as “Private number.” You can reverse the setting any time to display your number again. Please note that this feature only affects calls—not text messages or multimedia messages, which will still display your details.
Bonus tip: managing calls from hidden numbers
While you’re blocking your own number, you might also wonder who’s hiding theirs when they ring you. Some carriers offer services like *69, which lets you return the last call you received—even if it was a hidden call. In the US, apps like TrapCall also exist to unmask anonymous callers using a shared database of numbers.
And if you’re dealing with persistent nuisance calls, dialling *57 can trace the call for your carrier and store the details for potential legal follow-up. This feature can be invaluable if you’re facing harassment.
Privacy at your fingertips
Both of these methods work with major carriers and can be activated instantly. You can even contact your mobile provider to enable permanent caller ID blocking at the network level for extra peace of mind.
So whether you’re making a one-off call to someone you’d rather keep at arm’s length or you want to keep your number hidden all the time, these simple steps give you more control over your digital footprint. Sometimes the most minor tweaks—like adding a short code before a number—can make a big difference to your phone privacy.