- Categories
- Education and Communications
- Communication Skills
- Phone Skills
Download Article
Explore this Article
methods
1Using a Prefix
2Using Google Voice
3Using Settings on Android
4Using Settings on iPhone
+Show 1 more...
-Show less...
Other Sections
Video
Tips and Warnings
Related Articles
References
Written byJack Lloyd
Last Updated: July 11, 2024Fact Checked
Download Article
This wikiHow teaches you how to call someone without them being able to see your real number. The easiest way to do this on any phone is by dialing a prefix (such as *67) before dialing the phone number in question. If you have a smartphone, you may have the option of making all of your outgoing calls anonymous from within the Settings app, though not all phones have this option. Finally, you can use the free Google Voice app to call using a number other than your own, which will protect your true phone number even if the person whom you're calling has a call-unmasking program.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:
Using a Prefix
Download Article
1
Figure out your prefix. To make an anonymous call with a prefix, you'll enter the prefix, enter the ten-digit phone number (or eleven-digit phone number if you're using a country code), and press the "Dial" button. Common prefixes include the following:[1]
- *67 - Most North American mobile phones and landlines, as well as Canadian landlines.[2]
- #31# - Some North American mobile phones (i.e., AT&T), and some Canadian mobile phones.[3]
- 141 - Most UK mobile phones and landlines.
2
Open your phone's Phone app. This app usually looks like a phone receiver on a colored background, and is usually found on your smartphone's home screen.
- If you're using a landline phone or a non-smartphone cellphone, just prepare to dial.
Advertisem*nt
3
Tap the "Dialpad" icon. If your smartphone's Phone app doesn't open to a keypad, look for the "Dialpad" icon or tab and then tap it. This icon usually resembles a keypad's shape.
- Skip this step on landlines and non-smartphone cellphones.
4
Enter your prefix. Type in the prefix for your area. For example, if you're dialing from a North American phone, you'll most likely enter *67.
- Do not press the "Call" button yet.
5
Type in the number. Enter the phone number that you want to call anonymously. When done, the whole number should resemble the following: *678085031234
6
Press the "Call" button. This will call the number in question while masking your number. The recipient will see something like "BLOCKED", "RESTRICTED", or "CALLER ID UNAVAILABLE" on their phone's screen or LCD display.
- Keep in mind that some people will have call-unmasking apps installed on their phones, meaning that they'll be able to see your number regardless of this prefix.[4]
Advertisem*nt
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:
Using Google Voice
Download Article
1
Open Google Voice. Tap the Google Voice app icon, which resembles a white phone receiver on a blue chat bubble. This will open Google Voice to the chat page if it isn't already open.[5]
- If you don't have the Google Voice app, you'll need to download it for iPhone or Android. It's free to use.
- If you don't have a Google Voice account, you'll be prompted to set up your account the first time you open the app (you can also tap SIGN UP). Do so by following the on-screen instructions before continuing.
- If you aren't signed into Google Voice, select an email account, or enter your email address and password when prompted.
2
Tap the "Calls" tab. It's a phone receiver-shaped icon at the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or at the top of the screen (Android).
3
Tap +. This option is in the lower-right corner of the screen. On iPhone, a pop-out menu will appear.
- On Android, this button resembles a phone receiver instead.
4
Tap Make a call. It's in the pop-out menu. Doing so opens the caller page.[6]
- Skip this step on Android.
5
Enter your recipient's phone number. Type in the number of the person whom you want to call anonymously.
6
Tap Call [number]. This option is in the drop-down menu below the text field that's at the top of the screen.
7
Tap Call when prompted. Doing so will call the number that you selected. Your recipient will be able to see a phone number, but not your actual number.
Advertisem*nt
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:
Using Settings on Android
Download Article
1
Open your Android's Phone app. Tap the Phone app icon, which generally resembles a phone receiver icon on a colored background.[7]
2
Tap ⋮. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. This will prompt a drop-down menu.
- On some phones, this option will say MORE instead.
3
Tap Settings. This option is in the drop-down menu. Doing so will open the Phone settings page.[8]
4
Tap Calls or similar. Look for a Calls, Outgoing, or Call settings option in this menu, then tap it.
5
Tap Caller ID. You should see this option in the Calls menu.
- You may first have to tap Additional settings or a different option in order to view this setting.
6
Tap Hide number. It should be in the Caller ID settings menu. If you don't see this option, you can't mask your outgoing calls from your Android's settings.[9]
- This option may be titled differently (e.g., HIDE).
- If call masking isn't built into your Android's settings, you may still be able to purchase the option to block outgoing caller ID. Call your carrier or visit their website to see if call masking is a paid feature.
Advertisem*nt
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:
Using Settings on iPhone
Download Article
1
Open your iPhone's Settings
. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it. You'll usually find this on your iPhone's Home Screen.[10]2
Scroll down and tap Phone. This option is about a third of the way down the page, to the right of a green-and-white, phone receiver-shaped icon.[11]
3
Tap Show My Caller ID. It should be in the middle of the screen. If you don't see this option or a similarly titled one (e.g., Caller ID), you cannot mask your caller ID from your iPhone's Settings app.[12]
- If you caller ID-masking isn't an option on your iPhone, you can call your carrier or visit their website to see if call masking is a paid feature.
4
Tap the green "Show My Caller ID" switch
. It will turn white.[13]
- You may be prompted to confirm this action.
5
Exit the Settings app. All outgoing calls that you make from your iPhone's built-in Phone app will now hide your number rather than displaying it on your recipient's phone.
- If the person whom you're calling has a call-unmasking app installed, they may still be able to see your phone number.
Advertisem*nt
Community Q&A
Search
Question
How do I make an anonymous call?
Community Answer
Follow the instructions listed in the article above.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 11Helpful 32
Question
How do I block an anonymous call?
Community Answer
You can block an anonymous call by using the 'Anonymous call rejection' feature.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 20Helpful 43
Question
What is an anonymous number?
Nicholas Deckman
Community Answer
A number that cannot be tracked and when using Caller ID does not show up with anything other than "BLOCKED" or "PRIVATE CALLER."
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 11Helpful 34
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Video
Tips
Anonymous calling is ideal for temporary contacts, such as arranging a Craigslist transaction or talking to classmates for a group project.
Thanks
Helpful2Not Helpful0
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisem*nt
Warnings
Never use anonymous calling to make inappropriate calls to emergency services. Not only does this put people's lives at risk - you can still be tracked down by the police and given large fines or even a jail sentence.
Thanks
Helpful4Not Helpful1
Never use anonymous calling to stalk, threaten or harass other people. Even if you try to hide your phone number, the police can still trace abusive calls directly to you.
Thanks
Helpful5Not Helpful2
Advertisem*nt
You Might Also Like
Advertisem*nt
References
- ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9259883?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
- ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/caller-id-block-faqs/
- ↑ https://www.att.com/device-support/article/wireless/KM1358182/Apple/iPhone11
- ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/caller-id-how-unmask-blocked-unknown-calls-mike-carthy/
- ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/165221?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
- ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/3379129?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
- ↑ https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/google-android/how-hide-your-number-in-android-3601103/
- ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9259883?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
- ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9259883?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
More References (4)
- ↑ https://macreports.com/how-to-hide-your-caller-id-when-making-phone-calls-on-iphone/
- ↑ https://macreports.com/how-to-hide-your-caller-id-when-making-phone-calls-on-iphone/
- ↑ https://macreports.com/how-to-hide-your-caller-id-when-making-phone-calls-on-iphone/
- ↑ https://www.att.com/device-support/article/wireless/KM1358182/Apple/iPhone11
About This Article
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 1,849,575 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 21
Updated: July 11, 2024
Views:1,849,575
Categories: Phone Skills
In other languages
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,849,575 times.
Is this article up to date?
Advertisem*nt