Anonymous Calling on iPhone: Your Complete Guide to Hiding Caller ID

March 1, 2023

In today’s digital age, privacy has become a significant concern for many individuals, especially when it comes to how we manage phone communications. With the increasing amount of personal information shared and accessed through mobile devices, it is crucial to maintain a level of anonymity and discretion when making calls. Whether you’re a business professional, a concerned individual, or someone who simply values privacy, there are various reasons why you may want to hide your caller ID when making phone calls. For iPhone users, there are several built-in features, carrier options, and third-party services that can help mask your caller ID and keep your phone number confidential. This guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to understand anonymous calling on your iPhone, including step-by-step instructions, methods, and considerations to keep in mind when using these services.

Why Hide Caller ID?

There are several legitimate and practical reasons why someone may choose to hide their caller ID when making a phone call. Below are some of the most common reasons people use to mask their identity:

1. Privacy Protection: If you’re calling someone you don’t know well or someone who may misuse your number, hiding your caller ID is an effective way to protect your privacy. This is especially important when communicating with unknown individuals or businesses.
2. Professional Use: Many businesses, including telemarketing firms, survey companies, and customer service representatives, often prefer not to disclose their personal phone numbers. Masking their caller ID helps them maintain a professional appearance, and it prevents the recipient from saving or misusing their number.
3. Safety Concerns: If you need to call someone or a number that you believe might be risky or involved in malicious activities, hiding your caller ID can offer an extra layer of protection. By keeping your phone number concealed, you prevent any unwanted callbacks or exposure of your personal contact details.
4. Avoiding Callbacks: Hiding your caller ID ensures that the recipient of your call cannot easily return the call. This is particularly useful if you don’t want to be contacted by the person you’re calling and wish to remain anonymous.

How to Hide Caller ID on an iPhone

Apple offers multiple ways to hide your caller ID, depending on your needs and preferences. You can use the built-in settings in iOS, make use of temporary dialer codes, or opt for carrier-specific options. Let’s explore each of these methods in detail.

Method 1: Use Built-In iOS Settings

iPhone devices come with a built-in option to hide the caller ID for all outgoing calls. This method is simple and requires no third-party apps. However, please note that this feature may not be available on all carriers, as some may restrict this option.

Steps to Hide Caller ID for All Calls:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select Phone from the list of settings.
3. Tap on Show My Caller ID.
4. Toggle the switch to turn off the option.

This will ensure that your number is hidden for all outgoing calls. When you call someone, they will see a message like “Unknown Caller” or “Private Number” instead of your phone number.

Important Note: If the Show My Caller ID option is missing or grayed out, it might be due to restrictions placed by your carrier. In such cases, you may need to use alternative methods, such as dialing specific codes or contacting your carrier to enable the feature.

Method 2: Use Dialer Codes for Temporary Blocking

If you only need to hide your caller ID for a one-time call, using dialer codes is a convenient solution. Dialer codes are short codes that can temporarily block or reveal your caller ID. The most common dialer code for this purpose is *67, which hides your caller ID for a single call.

*Steps to Use 67 for Temporary Caller ID Blocking:

1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
2. Dial *67 followed by the phone number you wish to call (e.g., *67 555-123-4567).
3. Press the green call button to place the call.

When you make the call, the recipient will see a message like “Unknown Caller” or “Private Number” instead of your actual phone number.

In addition to *67, there are other useful dialer codes to manage your caller ID visibility:

• *Dial 81: This code hides your caller ID for specific private numbers.
• *Dial 82: This code can unblock your number in situations where blocking is automatic (e.g., if you’ve permanently blocked your number through your carrier’s settings).

Using dialer codes provides flexibility and is ideal for individuals who only need to make a single anonymous call without making any permanent changes to their phone settings.

Method 3: Carrier Settings

Most mobile carriers provide the option to hide your caller ID for all outgoing calls permanently. This can be done through the carrier’s customer support or by using specific carrier codes or apps. Enabling this feature ensures that your number remains hidden for every call you make, without needing to toggle settings every time.

Steps to Enable Caller ID Blocking via Carrier:

1. Contact your carrier’s customer service or visit their website to inquire about enabling caller ID blocking.
2. Depending on your carrier, they may provide a unique dialer code to activate the feature or allow you to enable it via their mobile app.
3. Once activated, all outgoing calls will show up as “Unknown” or “Private Number” to the recipient.

Common Carrier Codes for Caller ID Blocking:

• Verizon: Dial *67 before the number you wish to call or enable the setting through the My Verizon app.
• AT&T: Use *67 to temporarily block caller ID or contact customer support for permanent blocking.
• T-Mobile: You can activate blocking via the T-Mobile app or dial *31# to hide your caller ID.
• Sprint: Contact Sprint customer support to assist in enabling permanent caller ID blocking.

If you prefer a permanent solution without dealing with manual adjustments, contacting your carrier is the best option.

Method 4: Use a Third-Party App

There are various third-party apps available in the App Store that can help you make anonymous calls. These apps typically work by providing you with a temporary or disposable number that you can use to make calls while keeping your real number hidden. These apps may also offer other privacy features, such as call recording, temporary numbers, and additional communication options.

Popular Apps for Anonymous Calling:

1. Hushed: This app allows you to create temporary disposable numbers for making anonymous calls and texting.
2. Burner: Burner provides virtual phone numbers that can be used for anonymous calls and text messaging. You can create multiple numbers and dispose of them as needed.
3. Sideline: This app is useful for both personal and business calls, offering privacy options to mask your real number.

Note that while these apps can be convenient, they may charge a subscription fee for their services. Depending on your needs, these apps can be an effective way to maintain anonymity when making calls.

Method 5: Use a Temporary Numberd

If you need to keep your real phone number private but still require the ability to receive calls, using a temporary number can be a great solution. Temporary or virtual phone numbers can be set up through various services or apps. These numbers forward calls to your real number, allowing you to keep your actual contact details private.

Several services and apps provide disposable phone numbers, which are particularly useful for short-term purposes such as business inquiries, online transactions, or protecting your privacy when dealing with unfamiliar individuals.

Important Considerations When Hiding Caller ID

While hiding your caller ID can be helpful in certain situations, there are some important considerations to keep in mind, including legal, ethical, and technical factors.

1. Legal and Ethical Implications: While hiding your caller ID is generally legal, using it for illegal activities such as harassment, fraud, or intimidation is not only unethical but can lead to serious legal consequences. Always use this feature responsibly and ensure that you are in compliance with the law.
2. Recipients Blocking Anonymous Calls: Some individuals, businesses, or organizations may choose to block incoming calls from unknown numbers. If you hide your caller ID, there is a chance that your call may not go through if the recipient has set up a block for private or anonymous calls.
3. Impact on Text Messages: Hiding your caller ID typically only affects phone calls. Text messages will still display your phone number unless you use a service or app that masks your number for texting as well. If you want to ensure complete anonymity, consider using a third-party app that also provides anonymous texting.
4. International Calls: The ability to hide your caller ID when making international calls depends on the country and carrier you’re using. Not all carriers support caller ID blocking for international dialing, so it’s important to check with your carrier to see if this feature is available for international calls.

Conclusion

Hiding your caller ID on an iPhone is a straightforward process that can be accomplished through several methods, including built-in iOS settings, carrier options, and temporary dialer codes like *67. Whether you’re trying to protect your privacy, maintain discretion in professional settings, or avoid unwanted callbacks, these methods provide the flexibility to make anonymous calls as needed.

However, it’s important to use this feature responsibly and in accordance with legal and ethical standards. Misusing anonymous calling for malicious purposes can result in severe consequences. If you encounter persistent issues with hiding your caller ID, it’s advisable to contact your carrier for additional assistance.

By understanding and utilizing these methods effectively, you can take control of your phone communications, maintain your privacy, and make calls with confidence. Whether you are protecting personal information, conducting business discreetly, or ensuring safety, anonymous calling options give you the tools to manage your communication needs while safeguarding your identity.