How to Block Your Number When Making a Call

In today’s digital age, privacy is a paramount concern for many individuals. Whether you’re making a business call, reaching out to someone for the first time, or simply want to keep your phone number private, knowing how to block your number when making a call can be an essential skill. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods available for blocking your phone number on different devices and platforms. We’ll cover everything from quick, one-time solutions to more permanent settings adjustments, ensuring you have all the tools you need to maintain your privacy.

Why Block Your Number?

Before diving into the how-to, it’s essential to understand why someone might want to block their number. Here are a few common reasons:

1. Privacy Concerns: When calling a business, new acquaintance, or any number you don’t want to have your personal number, blocking your number ensures it remains private.
2. Avoiding Unwanted Callbacks: If you’re reaching out for inquiries or specific information, blocking your number can prevent unsolicited return calls.
3. Professional Detachment: For professionals making work-related calls from a personal number, blocking the caller ID can keep personal and professional lives separate.
4. Security Reasons: In certain situations, disclosing your number can lead to security risks. Blocking your number can help mitigate these risks.

Methods to Block Your Number

There are several ways to block your number when making a call. The method you choose depends on the frequency of your need to block your number and the type of phone you use. Here’s a detailed look at each method:

1. Using *67 to Temporarily Block Your Number

One of the quickest and easiest ways to block your number is by using the *67 prefix. This method works on both landlines and mobile phones.

Steps:

1. Open your phone’s keypad.
2. Dial *67 before the number you want to call.
3. For example, if you’re calling (123) 456-7890, you would dial *67 (123) 456-7890.

When you use *67, your number will appear as “Private” or “Blocked” on the recipient’s caller ID for that specific call. This method is excellent for occasional use but needs to be entered each time you make a call.

2. Blocking Your Number on iPhone

If you’re an iPhone user and prefer a more permanent solution, you can adjust your phone settings to block your number for all outgoing calls.

Steps:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Scroll down and select “Phone.”
3. Tap on “Show My Caller ID.”
4. Toggle the switch to turn it off.

By turning off “Show My Caller ID,” your phone number will be blocked for all outgoing calls until you decide to turn the setting back on.

3. Blocking Your Number on Android

Android devices also offer a way to block your number through the settings menu. The steps may vary slightly depending on your device and Android version.

Steps:

1. Open the “Phone” app.
2. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings” or “Call Settings.”
4. Find and select “Additional settings” or “More settings.”
5. Tap on “Caller ID.”
6. Choose “Hide number.”

This setting will ensure that your number is hidden for all outgoing calls. If you ever want to show your number again, you can follow the same steps and select “Show number.”

4. Contacting Your Service Provider

If you prefer a more permanent solution and don’t want to adjust your phone settings, you can contact your service provider to block your number. Most providers offer this service for free or for a small fee.

Steps:

1. Call your service provider’s customer service number.
2. Request to have your caller ID blocked.
3. Follow their instructions to complete the process.

This method will ensure that your number is always blocked, regardless of the device you’re using. If you need to show your number for a specific call, you can dial *82 before the number to temporarily unblock it.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Blocking your number is generally straightforward, but there are a few additional tips and considerations to keep in mind:

1. Not All Calls Are Blockable: Some numbers, especially toll-free numbers (e.g., 800 or 900 numbers), do not allow caller ID blocking. Your number will be displayed when calling these numbers.
2. Emergency Calls: When calling emergency services (e.g., 911), your number and location are transmitted even if you have caller ID blocking enabled.
3. Business Lines: Some business lines and organizations have systems that automatically reveal blocked numbers. Be aware of this if you’re calling businesses frequently.
4. International Calls: Blocking your number may not work when making international calls. Check with your service provider for details on international calling policies.
5. Check with Your Provider: Policies and features can vary between providers and regions. It’s always a good idea to check with your service provider for the most accurate information.

Apps and Third-Party Services

In addition to the built-in methods for blocking your number, there are various apps and third-party services available that offer enhanced privacy features. These apps can provide additional controls and options for managing your caller ID settings.

1. Google Voice

Google Voice is a popular service that allows you to make calls, send texts, and manage voicemail from a different number. You can use Google Voice to mask your personal number and display your Google Voice number instead.

Steps:

1. Sign up for a Google Voice account and choose a new number.
2. Download the Google Voice app on your phone.
3. Use the Google Voice app to make calls, and your Google Voice number will be displayed.

2. Burner Apps

Burner apps, like the one from Burner, provide temporary phone numbers that you can use for making calls and sending texts. These apps are handy if you need to provide a number for short-term use.

Steps:

1. Download a burner app from your app store.
2. Create an account and choose a temporary number.
3. Use the app to make calls and send texts from the temporary number.

3. VoIP Services

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services like Skype and Zoom also offer caller ID management features. When making calls through these services, you can often choose to display or hide your caller ID.

Steps:

1. Sign up for a VoIP service and set up your account.
2. Adjust the caller ID settings in your account preferences.
3. Use the VoIP service to make calls with your preferred caller ID settings.

Conclusion

Maintaining your privacy when making calls is crucial in today’s interconnected world. Whether you need a quick, one-time solution or a more permanent setting adjustment, there are multiple methods available to block your number on different devices. From using *67 for temporary blocking to adjusting your phone’s settings or using third-party apps, you have various options to choose from based on your needs.

Remember to consider the limitations and specific scenarios where blocking your number may not work. Always stay informed about your service provider’s policies and explore additional tools like Google Voice or burner apps for enhanced privacy control.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can confidently make calls without revealing your personal phone number, ensuring your privacy and peace of mind.