Your personal number does not have to accompany every call you make. You may want additional privacy when contacting a marketplace seller, requesting a quote, or speaking with a business that does not need your direct number.
The best method for how to call anonymously depends on whether you want to hide Caller ID once or apply the change to future calls. It also matters whether you simply want privacy from the recipient or need a separate number for ongoing communication.
1. Can You Make an Anonymous Phone Call?
Yes. You can withhold Caller ID so the recipient sees Private, Unknown, Restricted, or No Caller ID instead of your phone number and associated name.
This is the practical meaning of how to call unknown: your real number is not replaced by another one; it is simply withheld from the recipient’s standard call display. The carrier can still identify the line that placed the call and may retain relevant network records.
Caller ID blocking should not be confused with spoofing. Blocking conceals your number, whereas spoofing changes the displayed information to misrepresent who is calling.
2. How to Call Anonymously in 3 Ways
Blocking options vary by country, carrier, phone model, and destination. Test the selected method with someone you trust before relying on it for an important call.
Dial a Caller ID Blocking Code
A dialing prefix can hide your number for one outgoing call. In the United States and Canada, many carriers support *67.
Follow these steps:
- Open the Phone app.
- Select the keypad.
- Enter the carrier-supported blocking code.
- Type the complete phone number immediately afterward.
- Tap Call.
Example: *67 555 123 4567
For how to call someone anonymously on one occasion, a prefix is usually more practical than changing the phone’s permanent settings. Your number should appear normally on the next call unless blocking is already enabled at the account level.
Do not assume *67 works worldwide. Other countries use different prefixes, and some carriers do not support per-call blocking.
Hide Caller ID Through the Phone Settings
If you’re wondering how to call anonymously without entering a dialing code each time, you can hide your number through your phone’s Caller ID settings. This allows you to keep your number private on multiple outgoing calls, provided your carrier supports the feature.
On an iPhone:
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps > Phone.
- Tap Show My Caller ID.
- Turn the setting off.
On Android:
- Open the Phone app.
- Select Settings.
- Open Calling accounts, Supplementary services, or Additional settings.
- Select the appropriate SIM.
- Tap Caller ID > Hide number.
For how to anonymously call someone more than once, this option avoids entering a code before every number. Remember to enable Caller ID again before calling contacts who need to recognize or return your call.
The setting may be missing or grayed out when the carrier controls Caller ID.
Request Permanent Caller ID Blocking From the Carrier
If device settings are unavailable, ask the carrier to block Caller ID at the network level. This how to call anonymously method may apply to every standard outgoing call from the selected line.
Before activation, confirm:
- Whether the service has a fee
- Which lines on the account will be affected
- How to display your number for one call
- Whether it works with Wi-Fi Calling
- Whether international calls are supported
- Which destinations can still receive your number
This method can simplify how to make an anonymous call regularly, but it may also cause more calls to be rejected. Ask for instructions to reverse the change before enabling it permanently.
>>> Helpful blog: What Can You Do Without a SIM Card? 10 Things Your Phone Can Still Do
3. Other Ways to Call Without Revealing Your Number
Beyond standard Caller ID settings, there are other options worth exploring if you’re learning how to call anonymously. These methods can help keep your personal number private, depending on the service and your needs.
Use a Secondary Phone Number
A secondary number keeps your primary line private while providing a recognizable callback number. Depending on your needs, it may come from:
- A second SIM or eSIM
- A prepaid mobile line
- A business phone system
- A temporary number service
Check the service period, renewal cost, voicemail support, and number-recycling policy. Do not use a temporary number for banking, account recovery, or other services that require long-term access.
Use an Internet Calling Service
Some VoIP and internet-calling services assign a separate number or username. Calls use Wi-Fi or mobile data rather than relying only on the regular cellular voice line.
Before registering, review:
- What appears on the recipient’s Caller ID
- Whether outgoing calls require credit
- Which countries are supported
- Whether emergency calling is available
- How the provider stores call and contact data
- Whether the number expires after inactivity
A separate calling identity can protect the main number, but it does not necessarily make the user anonymous to the service provider.
4. Why Is My Number Still Showing When I Call?
If how to call anonymously does not produce the expected result, check these common causes:
- The dialing code is unsupported in your country.
- The prefix was entered incorrectly.
- Your carrier does not permit Caller ID blocking.
- The phone is using a different SIM from the one configured.
- A workplace phone system overrides device settings.
- The call was made through an app with its own Caller ID.
- The destination does not accept blocked Caller ID.
- An emergency or toll-free service receives identifying information.
- Carrier-level blocking has not yet been activated.
Make a test call after each change instead of adjusting several settings at once. If the number remains visible on multiple calls, contact the carrier and ask whether blocking is supported for your plan.
5. Does Calling Anonymously Hide Your Identity Completely?
No. Caller ID blocking normally hides your number only from the recipient’s standard display. The carrier can still process the originating line, while emergency services or authorities may access relevant information where legally permitted.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission distinguishes number withholding from spoofing, which deliberately alters the information displayed to the recipient.
Anonymous calling should not be used for harassment, impersonation, fraud, or repeated contact after someone has asked you to stop.
>>> Read more: How to Call Without a SIM Card: 5 Methods to Stay Connected
6. FAQs
Is *67 actually anonymous?
*67 can hide your number from the recipient on supported North American networks, but the carrier still knows which line placed the call. It is one option for how to call anonymously, not a guarantee of complete anonymity.
Can someone call me back if I hide my number?
The recipient generally cannot tap the private-call entry to return it because no visible number is provided. They may still respond if you leave a callback number in voicemail or contact them through another channel.
Can I text someone anonymously?
Standard text messages usually reveal the sending number, and Caller ID blocking codes do not normally apply to SMS or MMS. A separate number or messaging service may protect your primary line, but the provider can still retain account information.
7. Conclusion
For how to call anonymously, choose a method based on whether the privacy need is temporary or ongoing. A dialing code can cover one call, phone or carrier settings can hide Caller ID more broadly, and a secondary number supports callbacks without exposing the primary line.
Test the option first and confirm any carrier fees or restrictions. These methods can protect the number displayed to the recipient, but they do not conceal your identity from the network or justify unwanted contact.
