Privacy is a weird thing in 2026. We spend half our lives trying to be seen on social media and the other half trying to disappear when the phone actually rings. You've probably been there—trying to return a call to a business without getting stuck in their marketing database forever, or maybe you're just calling a stranger from a Craigslist ad and don't want them having your personal digits. It’s annoying.
Honestly, figuring out how to block caller id on cell phone shouldn't feel like a spy mission. But because Apple, Google, and the various carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile all have different ways of doing it, people get confused. Most folks think it’s a permanent setting you toggle once and forget. It's not. Or they think a "No Caller ID" label makes them untraceable. Also not true.
Let's get into the weeds of how this actually works.
The *67 Trick: Does it Still Work?
Yes. It does. It’s basically the "old reliable" of the telephony world.
If you want a quick, one-time fix for a single call, you just pull up your keypad and dial *67 followed by the number you're trying to reach. It’s that simple. Your phone sends a command to the switch telling it to strip your originating number from the header before the call lands on the other person’s screen. They’ll see "Private," "Restricted," or "Anonymous."
But here’s the kicker.
It doesn’t work for toll-free numbers or emergency services. If you call an 800 number or 911, they see you. Period. The FCC allows toll-free owners to see the numbers of incoming callers because they’re the ones paying for the call. If you’re trying to prank a corporate customer service line while staying hidden, *67 is going to fail you.
How to Block Caller ID on Cell Phone Settings (Permanently)
If you’re tired of the manual code, you can just flip a switch in your software. This is usually what people want when they're looking for a more permanent solution.
For the iPhone Crowd
iOS makes this pretty easy, though the menu is buried a bit. You go to Settings, scroll down to Phone, and tap on Show My Caller ID. Toggle that off. Boom. Done. From that second forward, every call you make is masked.
Wait, though. Some carriers—especially the "budget" MVNOs—actually gray this option out. If you see that toggle and it’s unclickable, your carrier has locked the feature on their end. You’ll have to call them or use their app to change it.
The Android Side of Things
Android is a bit of a mess because every manufacturer hides it in a different spot. Generally, you open the Phone app, hit the three dots for Settings, look for Supplementary Services or Calling Accounts, and then find Show my caller ID.
On a Samsung Galaxy, it’s almost always under Supplementary Services. On a Pixel, it’s usually under Calls -> Additional Settings.
Why Your Number Might Still Leak
You did everything right. You flipped the switch. You used the code. And yet, the person on the other end still says, "Hey, why are you calling from a 555 number?"
How?
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There are apps like Truecaller or TrapCall that are designed specifically to unmask blocked numbers. TrapCall, for instance, works by redirecting your "private" call to a toll-free number they own, unmasking it via the FCC loophole I mentioned earlier, and then sending it back to the user with your info attached. It’s a clever bit of technical gymnastics.
Also, if you're using VoIP services like WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, the "Show My Caller ID" setting on your phone doesn't mean squat. Those apps use data, not the traditional cellular voice protocol. If you want to be private there, you have to dig into the specific app’s privacy settings, and even then, your "ID" is usually tied to the phone number you registered with.
The Carrier Level Nuclear Option
If you really want to be a ghost, you call your service provider.
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all offer "Line Blocking." This is a network-level restriction. It’s more robust than the software toggle on your iPhone because it tells the carrier's central office to never transmit your caller ID data to the receiving party's carrier.
The downside? It's a pain to turn off if you actually want someone to see it’s you. You'd have to dial *82 before their number to temporarily unblock yourself for that specific call. It’s the reverse of the *67 method.
Is it Even Legal?
Mostly, yeah. In the U.S., the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 makes it illegal to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the "intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongly obtain anything of value."
Blocking your number for privacy? Legal.
Spoofing a number to look like the IRS so you can steal someone's Social Security number? Very illegal.
There's a subtle difference between masking your identity (blocking) and faking your identity (spoofing). When you learn how to block caller id on cell phone, you're just choosing not to share data. You aren't lying about who you are.
Practical Steps for Better Privacy
If you're serious about this, don't just rely on a toggle switch. Technology is too leaky for that.
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- Use a Burner App: Apps like Burner or Hushed give you a secondary "ghost" number. It’s way more effective than blocking your ID because it gives the other person a number they can actually see and call back, but it isn't linked to your real identity or home address.
- Google Voice: It’s free. You get a separate number. You can set it to display your Google Voice number on caller ID, keeping your primary SIM card number totally private.
- Check Your "CNAM" Listing: Even if you block your number, some databases might have your name linked to that number from years ago. You can occasionally ask your carrier to change your "Caller ID Name" (the text that appears, not the digits) to something generic like "Wireless Caller."
The reality is that "Private" calls are often ignored these days. With the rise of "Silence Unknown Callers" features on modern smartphones, blocking your ID is a great way to ensure nobody ever picks up your call. If you really need to reach someone without giving away your personal cell, a secondary VoIP number is almost always the better play.
What to do right now:
- Test yourself: Dial *67 followed by a friend's number to see exactly how your carrier displays it.
- Audit your settings: If you're on iPhone, check Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID to see if your carrier even allows the toggle.
- Consider a secondary number: If you find yourself blocking your ID more than once a day, download a secondary number app to simplify your life and ensure your calls actually get answered.
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