Making anonymous phone calls is easy on Android. There are several methods you can use to hide or block your caller ID when making calls from your Android device.
Privacy is fundamental in the modern digital world, but our data and identity are exposed regularly whenever we do something. For example, creating an account on Facebook and adding your details would leave your digital footprint. The same can be said for our phone numbers when we make calls to different people. However, there are several ways to hide your phone number when you are calling on an Android smartphone. Here’s how to hide or block your caller ID when making calls from your Android device.
Use Star Codes to Hide Phone Number
The easiest way to hide your number is by dialing star codes before making a call.
*67 – Hide Number for One Call
To hide your number for a single call, dial *67 followed by the number you want to call.
For example:
*67 5551234567
This will make your number show up as “Private,” “Anonymous,” or “Blocked” on the recipient’s phone. You’ll have to dial *67 each time you want to hide your number when calling someone.
*82 – Unhide Number for One Call
If you have hidden your number by default (explained next), you can temporarily unhide it for a specific call by dialing *82 before the number.
For example:
*82 5551234567
This will reveal your real number just for that call.
#31# Code
Some carriers and countries use different star codes to block caller ID on a per-call basis. For example, in the UK, dialing #31# before the number hides your caller ID.
Check with your carrier to find out the specific code used in your country or region to hide your number when making calls.
Hide Your Number by Default on Your Android Phone
You can permanently hide your number for all outgoing calls using your Android phone’s settings. Here’s how:
On a Samsung Phone:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the 3-dot menu button
- Select “Settings”
- Tap “Supplementary services” or “Call settings”
- Tap “Hide number”
This will make your number hidden by default whenever you make calls from your Samsung device.
On Other Android Phones:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the 3-dot menu button
- Select “Settings”
- Tap “Calls” or “Call settings”
- Tap “Additional settings”
- Find and tap “Caller ID”
- Select “Hide number”
Follow these steps again and choose “Show number” to unhide your number.
Using Your Carrier
If your Android phone doesn’t give you the option to hide your number, contact your cell phone carrier. Most major carriers allow you to block caller ID at the network level.
Here’s how to request a number block from some popular carriers:
- AT&T– Call 611 or 800-331-0500 and ask for “Anonymous Call Block”
- T-Mobile– Call 611 and ask for “Caller ID Block”
- Verizon– Call 800-922-0204 and choose option 2, then option 5
- Sprint– Call 888-211-4727 and ask for “Anonymous Call Rejection”
The carrier will walk you through the steps to permanently block your number from showing up when you make calls. There is usually no charge for this service.
Use Third-Party Apps
Another option is to use a third-party calling app that allows you to make calls with a fake or hidden number:
- Google Voice– Get a free phone number to make calls with. Enable anonymous calling in settings.
- Burner– Generates temporary phone numbers you can call from. Paid service.
- Hushed– Get a second phone number to make anonymous calls. Starts at $1.99/week.
- TextNow– Make free calls with a private number. See ads.
These apps work by assigning you a secondary number to call or text from. Your real number stays hidden so you remain anonymous.
Limitations of Hiding Your Number
There are a couple of important limitations to be aware of when hiding your caller ID:
- 911– Your real number will always be shown when calling emergency services, regardless of your settings.
- Toll-Free Numbers– Calls to toll-free numbers like 800, 888, 877 may reveal your real caller ID.
- Carrier Override– Some carriers can override your settings for legal/compliance purposes.
- Third-Party Unmasking– Apps exist that can unmask blocked numbers.
So keep in mind that although you can hide your number, it may still be possible for certain parties to view your real caller ID.
How to Make Your Number Visible Again
If you chose to permanently hide your number via your Android settings or carrier, here’s how to make it visible again:
- Android Settings– Go back into the Caller ID settings and choose “Show number”
- Carrier– Call customer support and ask to disable anonymous call blocking
- Google Voice– Turn off anonymous calling in the app’s settings
- Third-Party Apps– Delete the app or use your real number
It’s easy to reverse the process and show your caller ID again when needed.
Conclusion
Hiding your caller ID is useful for privacy or if you don’t want people to have your personal number. Android makes it easy to block your number either temporarily or permanently. Just use star code *67 to hide your number for one call, adjust your phone settings to always hide your number, contact your carrier, or use a third-party app. With these options, you can easily make anonymous calls from your Android device.