How to hide your number to protect your privacy?
4 August 2025 | 6 mins read
Between us... You care about your privacy, right? 😎 So let me share with you some tips to ensure your number doesn’t become the star of marketing files. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. Gone are the days when your mobile number roamed freely like a celebrity without bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ Let’s dive into the world of hiding your number!
🤫 How to hide your number to protect your privacy? The ultimate guide!
As you know today, we live in a hyper-connected world… Well that's great, but it also has its drawbacks. Our personal information, and especially our phone number, have become a real currency. According to a recent study, more than 53% of web traffic comes from mobiles, highlighting how much our smartphones are central to our lives. It's more important than ever to know how to hide your number.
Whether you want to avoid harassment, protect yourself during online sales, or simply keep a clear separation between your work and personal life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It’s super easy!
✨ The art of the one-off withheld call: The famous #31#
This is THE basic technique, the foundation of the incognito call. Do you have a single call to make without revealing your precious number? Don’t panic, the solution is also very simple…
The magic code: #31#
Imagine: you need to call a somewhat persistent customer service, or reply to an online ad without wanting to be called back at odd hours. This is where the prefix #31# will be handy.
How does it work in practice? It's child's play!
- Grab your phone (it'll be better with 😅)
- Type #31# followed, with no spaces, by the phone number you wish to contact
- For example, to call 0612345678, you would dial: #31#0612345678
- Start the call, and there you go! ✨
Your correspondent will see "Private Number", "Unknown" or "Withheld Call" displayed on their screen. It’s quick, effective, and totally free. It works on all smartphones, whether you're team Android or a die-hard iPhone fan, and with any operator.
Anecdote: I’ve lost count of the times I’ve pranked my friends or parents by calling from a withheld number, using an app that changes my voice 😂
It’s the perfect solution for occasional needs, but be careful, you have to remember to do it every time. One slip-up, and your number appears! If you’re looking for a more "permanent" solution, keep reading, as what follows should interest you.
🥷 Go into ninja mode: permanently hide your number
Tired of dialing #31# each time? Want ALL your calls to be private numbers by default? It’s totally possible, and it can be done directly in your smartphone settings.
📱 How to call with a withheld number on Android?
The steps may slightly vary depending on your phone brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc.), but the principle remains the same. Generally speaking:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three little dots at the top right to access Settings.
- Look for an option like "Phone Accounts", "Call Settings" or "Additional Services".
- Find the line "Show my Caller ID" or "Caller ID".
- Select Hide Number. And there you go, all set!
From now on, all your outgoing calls will be anonymous. No more stress! 😎
📱 How to hide your number on iPhone?
With Apple, it’s even easier, hiding your phone number is more straightforward:
- Go to the Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Select Show My Number.
- Simply turn off the switch.
When it’s grey, it means you’re in caller ID hidden mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (occasional) | Quick, simple, universal | Must be repeated for each call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it", constant protection. | Might be an obstacle to being called back |
🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for tailored privacy
Do you need to go even further? Maybe you have a professional activity that requires juggling multiple numbers, or you just want an extra layer of protection. I have solutions for you!
Virtual number apps
Apps like our Anonymous SMS site, TextNow, or UnCall allow you to obtain a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It’s definitely the best way to hide your main phone number.
The benefits:
- Separation of work and personal life: Use one number for work and keep your personal number for loved ones.
- Online protection: Sign up for websites or services without ever giving your real number.
- Flexibility: Change your virtual number whenever you wish.
It’s like having a disguise for your phone! 🦸♂️
VoIP services (Voice over IP)
Services like Viber Out or TextNow also allow you to make calls to landlines and mobiles. By purchasing a bit of credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will show instead of your personal number.
Personal experience: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. This allows him to avoid disturbances on weekends and keep his personal number secret. Smart, right?
An important point to note: Using a private number is an excellent way to protect yourself. Many apps focus on the security and encryption of your communications, which is a real plus in our digital world.
🔎 The other side of the coin: managing blocked calls that we receive
Now that you’re a pro at making blocked calls, let’s talk about the opposite situation. What do you do when YOU receive a call from a blocked number? It can be intriguing at times, often very annoying.
Can you call back a blocked number?
Generally, the answer is no. If someone has taken the time to hide their number, it is very difficult, if not impossible for an individual, to call it back directly.
However, some operators offer a service that allows you to call back a blocked number within minutes after the call. But this is not a universal solution and its effectiveness can vary.
How to unmask blocked numbers? Mission (almost) impossible!
Let's be clear: it's almost impossible to unmask hidden numbers reliably. Services claiming to do so are often ineffective. Only competent authorities can potentially trace the origin of a masked call within a specific legal framework.
So, what can you do?
The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or masked numbers.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > and enable Silence Unknown Callers.
- On Android: Open the Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers and enable the option to block unknown callers.
These calls will go straight to your voicemail without even ringing your phone. Complete peace of mind! 🧘♀️️
💪 Why hiding your number is crucial for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to hide your number, it's important to understand the concrete benefits for your peace of mind.
The advantages of phone anonymity:
- Protect your personal data: Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Protecting it means safeguarding your digital identity.
- Avoid telemarketing and spam: This is the top reason for many of us. By not giving out your number freely, you drastically reduce the number of unsolicited calls.
- Secure your online transactions: When selling an item on a classified site, using a private or temporary number helps you avoid being contacted months later.
- Maintain professional distance: Ideal for professionals who contact clients from their personal mobiles.
- Keep control: Ultimately, you decide who can reach you and when. That’s true luxury!
Privacy protection is not a luxury, it's a fundamental right in the digital age. By learning how to hide your phone number, you take a big step towards regaining control of your data.
🕵️♀️ Conclusion: It's your turn, secret agent!
And there you go! You now have all the tools to master the art of masked calling. We covered together:
- The ultra-simple #31# technique for occasional needs.
- How to configure your iPhone or Android to make masked calls permanently.
- The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to react to unknown calls you receive and the inability to unmask hidden numbers.
- All the benefits you get from hiding your phone number to protect your privacy.
Hiding your phone number is no longer a secret for you. It’s a powerful and easy-to-use tool for navigating more smoothly in our connected world.
So, the next time you hesitate to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control of your privacy, one call at a time! Don’t hesitate to share this guide with your friends, they too have the right to be secret agents! 😉
🤔 FAQ: Questions everyone is asking
Does hiding my number work for SMS as well?
No, unfortunately. Tricks like #31# or phone settings only work for voice calls. Your SMS will always display your number. To send anonymous SMS, you need to use dedicated apps, and that’s exactly what our Anonymous SMS service offers.
If I call anonymously, can the person still leave me a voicemail?
Absolutely! If you reach their voicemail, you can definitely leave a message. The only difference is that the person won't see your number displayed.
How can I tell if #31# worked?
The best way is to test it on a friend's phone (with their permission, of course!). You'll see immediately if the call shows as "Private Number."
Is there a difference between "private number" and "hidden number"?
For the recipient of the call, there's no practical difference. Both terms mean that the caller's identity is not displayed.
Is it possible to unblock the "Show my number" function if it's greyed out on my iPhone?
Sometimes, certain providers may block this option. If that's the case for you, a quick call to your customer service may resolve the issue.