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 a few tips to keep your number from becoming the star of marketing databases. More specifically, how to keep your phone number to yourself, away from prying eyes. Gone are the days when your mobile number roamed free like a celebrity without bodyguards! 🕵️♂️ Alright, let's dive into the world of masked numbers!
🤫 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 downsides. Our personal information, especially our phone number, has become a real currency. According to a recent study, over 53% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, highlighting how central our smartphones are to our lives. It is therefore 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 professional and personal life, hiding your phone number is an essential skill to master. And the good news? It's super simple!
✨ The art of the one-off withheld call: The famous #31#
This is THE basic technique, the foundation of anonymous calling. Do you have a single call to make without revealing your precious number? No worries, the solution is also very simple..
The magic code: #31#
Imagine this: you need to call a somewhat pushy customer service, or respond to an online ad without wanting to be called back at odd hours. That's where the prefix #31# comes in handy.
How does it actually work? It's a piece of cake!
- Grab your phone (it's better with 😅)
- Dial #31# followed, without spaces, by the phone number you want to contact.
- For example, to call 0612345678, you dial: #31#0612345678
- Make the call, and there you go! ✨
Your contact will see "Private Number", "Unknown", or "Blocked Call" displayed on their screen. It's quick, effective, and completely free. It works on all smartphones, whether you're on Team Android or a die-hard iPhone fan, and with any operator.
Fun Fact: I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve played pranks on my friends or family by calling from a blocked number, using an app that alters my voice 😂
It's the ideal solution for a one-off need, but be careful, you must remember to do it every time. One slip-up, and your number shows up! If you're looking for a more "permanent" solution, keep reading, the next part should interest you.
🥷 Go ninja mode: permanently hide your number.
Tired of having to dial #31# every time? Do you want ALL your calls to be private number by default? It's entirely possible, and it’s done directly in your smartphone settings.
📱 How to call from a hidden number on Android?
The steps may vary slightly 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 Identity".
- Select Hide Number. And there you go, you're all set!
Now, all your outgoing calls will be anonymous. No more stress! 😎
📱 How to hide your number on iPhone?
With Apple, it's even simpler; hiding your phone number is even more straightforward:
- Go to the Settings on your iPhone
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Select Show My Caller ID.
- Simply toggle the switch off.
When it's grey, you're in hidden number mode. Easy, right?
Quick comparison of solutions
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| #31# (one-time use) | Fast, simple, universal | Must be repeated for each call |
| Settings (permanent) | "Set it and forget it", constant protection | May be a barrier to receiving calls |
🛡️ Alternatives: apps and services for tailored privacy
Need to go even further? Maybe you have a business 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 get a second phone number, often for free or at a low cost. It's probably the best way to hide your main phone number.
The advantages:
- Separation of work/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 want.
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 some credit, you can call anywhere in the world, and your temporary number will display instead of your personal number.
Real-life anecdote: I have a freelance friend who uses a virtual number for all his clients. It allows him to not be disturbed on weekends and keep his personal number private. Clever, 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 mirror: managing the blocked calls we receive
Now that you're a pro at making blocked calls, let's talk about the opposite situation. What to 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 trouble to hide their number, it is very difficult, if not impossible for an individual, to call them back directly.
However, some operators offer a service that allows you to call back a blocked number within minutes of the call. But this is not a universal solution, and its effectiveness may vary.
How to unmask blocked numbers? Mission (almost) impossible!
Let's be clear: it is nearly impossible to unmask blocked numbers reliably. Services that promise to do so are often ineffective. Only the relevant authorities can, within a specific legal framework, potentially trace the origin of a blocked call.
So, what to do?
The best strategy is prevention. Most smartphones allow you to automatically block calls from unknown or blocked 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 be sent directly to your voicemail without even ringing your phone. Royal peace! 🧘♀️️
💪 Why hiding your number is very important for your privacy
Beyond the technical aspects of how to hide your number, it's essential to understand the concrete benefits for your peace of mind.
The benefits of phone anonymity:
- Protect your personal data: Your number is the key to many of your online accounts. Protecting it means protecting your digital identity.
- Avoid telemarketing and spam: This is the number one 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 you sell an item on a classifieds site, using a private or temporary number prevents you from being contacted months later.
- Maintain a professional distance: Ideal for professionals contacting clients from their personal mobile.
- Stay in control: Ultimately, it's you who decides 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 have it! You now have all the tools to master the art of anonymous calling. We've covered together:
- The ultra-simple #31# technique for occasional needs.
- How to set up your iPhone or Android to make anonymous calls permanently.
- The apps and services that offer even more flexibility and security.
- How to respond to the anonymous calls you receive and the impossibility of revealing hidden numbers.
- All the benefits you gain 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 to navigate our connected world more smoothly.
So, the next time you're hesitant to make a call, remember these tips. Take back control of your privacy, one call at a time! Feel free to share this guide with your friends, they too have the right to be secret agents! 😉
🤔 FAQ: The questions everyone is asking
Q1: Does hiding my number also work for SMS?
No, unfortunately. Tricks like #31# or phone settings only work for voice calls. Your SMS will always display your number. For anonymous SMS, you need to use dedicated apps, and that’s exactly what our Anonymous SMS service offers.
Q2: 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.
Q3: 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 will immediately see if the call shows up as "Private Number".
Q4: Is there a difference between "hidden number" and "private number"?
For the user receiving the call, there is no practical difference. Both terms mean that the caller's identity is not displayed.
Q5: Is it possible to unblock the "Show my number" feature if it is greyed out on my iPhone?
Sometimes, some operators may block this option. If that's the case for you, a quick call to your customer service could resolve the issue.