Have you ever wanted to make a call without revealing your phone number? Maybe you’re returning a business call, contacting someone from an ad, or simply valuing your privacy. Whatever your reason, hiding your number is easier than you think — and it’s completely legal when used responsibly.
In this post, we’ll walk you through different ways to hide your caller ID, whether you’re using Android, iPhone, or a feature phone. We’ll also share useful tips to protect your identity and stop unwanted tracking — using settings you probably never knew existed.
Why Would You Want to Hide Your Number?
Privacy is a big deal in the digital age. Every time you make a call, your number appears on the recipient’s screen unless you take action to hide it.
Here are some common reasons why people choose to make private calls:
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Avoid spam or callbacks from businesses.
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Protect personal details when responding to online listings or strangers.
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Stay anonymous in sensitive situations.
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Test a line or service without leaving your number behind.
In some cases, you might also want to protect your phone from tracking apps or voice-based spyware. For instance, if you’ve read our post on
👉 How to Stop Apps from Listening to You,
you already know how invasive certain apps can be. Hiding your number adds an extra layer of privacy.
1. Use a Simple Code Before Dialing
The easiest and quickest way to hide your phone number is by using a prefix code.
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For most countries (including Nigeria, the UK, and the US), simply dial:
#31# + [phone number]
Example:
This will hide your number from showing up on the receiver’s phone for that specific call.
Tip: This method works perfectly for single calls — ideal when you only want to hide your number occasionally.
2. Turn Off Caller ID in Your Phone Settings
If you want your number hidden for every call, you can permanently disable caller ID in your settings.
For Android:
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Open the Phone app.
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Tap the three dots (menu) → Settings → Calling accounts.
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Choose your SIM and select Caller ID.
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Tap Hide number.
For iPhone:
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Go to Settings → Phone → Show My Caller ID.
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Toggle the switch off.
Once you’ve done this, every call you make will display as “Private Number” or “Unknown Caller.”
If you enjoy tweaking system settings for performance and security, you might also want to check out
👉 8 Android Settings You Should Turn Off Right Now.
3. Ask Your Network Provider to Hide Your Number
Many mobile carriers allow you to block your number at the network level. This means you don’t have to use any codes or toggle settings — your number will remain hidden automatically.
To activate this, simply contact your service provider’s customer care and ask for “permanent caller ID restriction.”
Depending on your carrier, you may also be able to toggle this feature using your online account dashboard or mobile app.
If your network provider doesn’t support it, try using a dual SIM setup to switch between private and public calling — similar to how you’d manage separate profiles or screen replacements, as explained in
👉 How to Choose the Right Screen Replacement for Your Smartphone.
4. Use Third-Party Calling Apps
Apps like Google Voice, Skype, or TextNow allow you to make calls without showing your real number. These apps assign you a virtual number, which acts as a shield for your identity.
When you use them, your call recipient will see your app’s number or a temporary one, not your personal phone line.
Bonus: Some of these apps even let you record calls or mask your region.
Just be careful — avoid giving these apps unnecessary permissions. If you want to manage permissions properly, follow our guide on
👉 The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Android Settings.
5. Hide Your Number Temporarily with Airplane Mode Trick
Here’s a lesser-known method:
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Enable Airplane Mode.
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Wait a few seconds, then manually re-enable mobile network but keep Wi-Fi or Bluetooth off.
In some older phones, this resets your SIM connection and temporarily masks caller ID for one outgoing call. It doesn’t always work on new devices but can be useful in emergency scenarios.
If your phone’s battery tends to drain faster during these operations, consider reading
👉 10 Proven Solutions to Fix Your Touchscreen Not Working Issue Today,
as similar hardware issues can affect your network modules too.
6. Call Using Private or Hidden Number Apps
If you frequently make anonymous calls, dedicated privacy calling apps like “Hide My Number,” “Hushed,” or “Burner” can help.
They let you:
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Create temporary numbers for specific purposes.
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Set timers for when the number expires.
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Keep your identity hidden even from call logs.
This is a great choice if you want full control over your digital footprint.
7. What You Should Know Before Hiding Your Number
While hiding your number is useful, be mindful of a few things:
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Emergency services (e.g., 911 or 112) will still see your number even if you hide it.
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Some businesses automatically reject private calls.
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Frequent anonymous calls may violate terms of use on certain networks.
Always use this feature ethically and responsibly.
If your phone is behaving strangely after changing network or call settings, it could be due to misconfigured permissions — a topic we cover in
👉 How to Stop Apps from Listening to You.
8. Final Thoughts
Privacy is your right, and technology gives you tools to protect it. Whether you want to make an anonymous call or keep your information safe, the methods above give you full control.
From simple dialing codes to powerful privacy apps, you now know how to hide your phone number safely and smartly.
Always remember — protecting your number today means protecting your identity tomorrow.
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