How to Hide Phone Number When Calling: The Top 5 Methods

I. Introduction

Have you ever needed to make a call, but didn’t want to reveal your phone number to the receiver? There are various reasons why someone might want to do this, from protecting your privacy to avoiding unwanted phone calls or even harassment. Thankfully, there are several ways to hide your phone number when calling, and in this article, we will guide you through the top 5 methods.

II. Method 1: Use Caller ID Blocking

Caller ID Blocking is a term for preventing your phone number from being displayed on the caller ID of the receiver. It’s a built-in function on most smartphones and landlines. Here are the steps you need to follow to enable Caller ID Blocking on your iPhone and Android:

For iPhone:

1. Head to the phone app on your iPhone.
2. Dial *67 before the phone number you wish to call.
3. The receiver will see a “Blocked Number” notification on their caller ID.

For Android:

1. Go to the phone app on your Android.
2. Tap on the three-dot icon and select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
3. Select “Calls” and then “Additional Settings”.
4. Select “Caller ID” and choose “Hide Number”.

It’s important to note that some people might not pick up calls from numbers they don’t recognize, so it’s always a good idea to let the receiver know it’s you.

III. Method 2: Add *67 to the Beginning of the Number

The second method to conceal your phone number when calling is by adding *67 at the beginning of the number. When you do this, your phone number will show up as “Out of Area” on the receiver’s caller ID. Here’s how you can use this method:

For iPhone:

1. Head to the phone app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the keypad icon and dial *67 before the phone number you want to call.
3. When you call, the receiver will see “Out of Area” on their caller ID.

For Android:

1. Go to the phone app on your Android.
2. Tap on the keypad icon and dial *67 before the phone number you want to call.
3. When you call, the receiver will see “Out of Area” on their caller ID.

However, it’s essential to note that this method doesn’t work for all carriers, and some people might have enabled special features on their device to unblock private numbers automatically.

IV. Method 3: Use a Third-Party App

Another popular way to conceal your phone number when calling is by using third-party apps that allow you to mask your phone number. One of the most well-known apps for this purpose is Burner, which offers temporary phone numbers for various purposes. Here are some pros and cons of using a third-party app:

Pros:

• You can create temporary phone numbers.
• You can keep your real number private.
• It’s an easy and convenient method to use.

Cons:

• It might not be free to use.
• The receiver might not trust the number.
• It might not be available in all countries.

V. Method 4: Use Google Voice

Google Voice is a voice over IP (VoIP) service that offers various features, one of which is the ability to mask your phone number when calling. Using Google Voice, you can make and receive calls and texts from a different phone number. Here’s how you can use Google Voice to protect your call privacy:

1. Head to the Google Voice website or app.
2. Select “Settings” from the top right corner.
3. Click on the “Calls” tab.
4. Activate the “Anonymous Caller ID” feature.
5. Now, when you make a call using Google Voice, the receiver will see the number in their caller ID as “Unknown”.

It’s important to note that Google Voice is currently available only in the United States and requires a Google account to use.

VI. Method 5: Contact Your Phone Carrier

If none of the methods we mentioned so far work for you, you can contact your phone carrier and ask them to hide your caller ID. Although some carriers might charge an extra fee for this service, it’s worth checking with them to see if they can enable this option for you.

Drawbacks:

• Some carriers might not offer this service.
• The service might not be free.
• If your carrier enables this feature, it will apply to all of your calls.

VII. Conclusion

Protecting your privacy during calls is an essential aspect of modern communication. Fortunately, there are various methods to help you conceal your phone number when calling, from Caller ID Blocking to using third-party apps, Google Voice, or contacting your phone carrier. We encourage you to try out the different options to see what works best for your individual needs. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.