How To Keep Your Number Private and Conceal Call Making on iPhone
Figured out that showing your number can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re just trying to keep things low-key. It’s kind of weird, but hiding your caller ID on iPhone isn’t super obvious if you don’t know where to look. There are a couple ways—one quick trick you can do on the fly, and another that’s more permanent. Both work in different situations, so pick what fits best.
Method 1: Use a Caller ID Blocking Code for Single Calls
This is handy if you only want to hide your number sometimes, maybe when calling a new client or that weird neighbor. Basically, you dial a special code before the number, and your caller ID gets masked for just that call. It’s sort of a quick toggle, but gotta remember the code because it varies by country.
- Open the Phone app.
- Dial
*67plus the number you’re calling, like:*67-555-123-4567. On some systems, this might be#31#or something else—check with your carrier if it doesn’t work right away. - Call as usual. The recipient will see “Private” or “Unknown”.
Note: Not all carriers support this code, and some regions might have different ones. If it fails, a quick online search or a call to your provider will clarify.
Method 2: Hide Your Number for All Calls in Settings
This is more of a permanent setup—turn it on once, and your number stays hidden until you flip the switch back. Good if you’re trying to keep your number private most of the time but don’t want the hassle of dialing code every time.
- Go to Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Select Show My Caller ID.
- Switch the toggle to Off. It should turn gray.
Once toggled off, all your outgoing calls will show up as “Private” or “Unknown”. Sometimes it’s grumpy and doesn’t apply instantly—best to restart your iPhone after toggling just to be sure. On some setups, it may need a toggle or restart to take effect.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Not everything is perfect, of course. Some folks have their own settings to block private numbers. If you call someone and they don’t answer or it rings out, they might have that protection enabled. Also, a restart of your device can fix weird glitches where the setting looks fine but isn’t working. And no, hiding your number doesn’t make your call quality worse, in case you’re worried. It’s just a privacy thing, not a tech limiter.
Conclusion
So, hiding your number on iPhone isn’t rocket science, but it’s not always obvious either. Using the toggle in Settings is simple and good if you need that for most calls. Dialing a code like *67 is better for one-off privacy pushes. Either way, now you’ve got options for keeping things more discreet when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide my number for text messages as well?
Nope, these settings only affect calls. Messages will still show your number unless the recipient specifically has your number blocked or filtered.
Will hiding my number mess with my call quality?
Nah, hiding your number doesn’t impact how well the call goes through or sounds. It’s purely about privacy display.
How do I bring my caller ID back?
You just redo the same steps—go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID and toggle it back to On. Easy peasy.
Summary
- Use
*67before calls for spotty privacy fixes. - Adjust Show My Caller ID in Settings for all calls.
- Restart your phone if changes don’t seem to stick.
- Remember, some people block private numbers, so it’s not foolproof.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck sneaking around with your caller ID!